Kentucky has made a habit of handling MAC opponents. Yes, the Wildcats are 35-9-1 all-time, riding an 18-game win streak that includes a spotless 12-0 mark under Mark Stoops. They even opened the year with a win over Toledo, but a setback against Ole Miss left UK at 1-1 and searching for a bounce-back. Now comes Eastern Michigan, winless at 0-2 and stuck in a seven-game skid. So, the Eagles will be hunting for a shocker, and the pressure sits squarely on Kentucky to make sure history doesn’t change at Kroger Field. And here’s where Mark Stoops faces the hard facts.

Well, Eastern Michigan has made a habit of defying the odds. KSR reported on September 11 that the Eagles are the best road underdog in college football: a streak that’s been building for a decade. Since 2015, EMU is 30-12 against the spread away from home, including shockers over Illinois, ASU, Purdue, and Rutgers. On top of that, they’ve gone 3-1 ATS against Power 5 teams since the pandemic. Now, as 23.5-point underdogs at Kentucky, the stage is set. Interestingly, this is when EMU thrives, and the showdown between Mark Stoops and Chris Creighton could be must-watch football.

The Wildcats and Eastern Michigan meet for the third time Saturday night, and the pressure has never been higher. Kentucky have won both the previous meetings but split the bets, going 1-1 against the spread. Back in 2017, Kentucky eked out a 24-20 win as a 14-point favorite, struggling to get Benny Snell Jr. going while EMU held firm. Then, two years later, the Cats dominated 38-17 as a 15-point home favorite, piling up over 200 yards rushing and passing. Now, with the Eagles riding their cover streak, the question is whether history repeats or if EMU pulls off another shocker. Yet, there’s a twist in the tale.

Both teams enter Saturday with trends on their side. Kentucky has dominated non-conference play, going 17-6-2 ATS in its last 25 games and winning 11 straight against Group of Six foes. Meanwhile, Eastern Michigan thrives as a road underdog, though both teams stumbled in Week 1. Yes, UK failed to cover against Toledo, and EMU came up short at Texas State. Still, with one team’s streak set to continue, all eyes will be on Kroger Field to see which trend holds. But what’s the prediction from the pros?

Here’s the thing: Eastern Michigan hasn’t held a lead all season, and their struggles stretch back to last year. The Eagles last topped the scoreboard in Game 10 of 2024 against Ohio before the Bobcats pulled away. Given that, Kentucky is expected to dominate from start to finish on Saturday. So, it is just a question of how high the Wildcats can run up the score before the final whistle. Now, Week 3 sets the stage for Mark Stoops’ UK, but the Week 2 loss still lingers, forcing the head coach to make a bold decision.

Mark Stoops’ take on Zach Calzada

Mark Stoops’ Kentucky heads into Week 3 with a question mark at QB. Starter Zach Calzada went down late in the loss to Ole Miss, and the uncertainty hasn’t left Lexington. Because his numbers this season, 25-of-53 for 234 yards, already had fans questioning his grip on the job. Now, with a shoulder injury on his throwing arm, the noise is even louder. Calzada also hasn’t practiced all week. “We’ll see how he responds today; I’ll know more as the week goes on,” said Mark Stoops bluntly. So, who will start in Week 3?

Redshirt freshman Cutter Boley is stepping into the spotlight Saturday night against Eastern Michigan. Boley isn’t new to pressure. He filled in last year when Brock Vandagriff went down, logging big snaps against Texas, Murray State, and even starting against Louisville. Now, the 4-star recruit gets his second shot, and this time the QB1 job is truly up for grabs. “As I said earlier this week, you hate to see any player get hurt,” mentioned Stoops. “But I’m always excited to see the next man up.” But Stoops didn’t leave it at that.

On Boley, he added, “I’m excited to see Cutter. He’s progressed a lot since last season.” Calzada’s condition leaves the door open. Even if he heals, Boley’s chance to impress is real. With only one game under his belt this season, with 1 of 3 passes for 38 yards, the hometown freshman could turn this rare opportunity into a defining moment.