Texas vs. Kentucky today: TV channel, kickoff time, how to watch, injury notes, and prediction

The Kentucky Wildcats host the No. 21 Texas Longhorns in Lexington tonight in a first-ever trip for Texas to the Bluegrass State. It’s a pivotal SEC tilt: Kentucky is searching for its first conference win, while Texas is trying to stack momentum after a statement rivalry victory last week.

How to watch Texas vs. Kentucky

• TV: ESPN (overflow note: if an earlier SEC game runs long due to weather, the opening minutes may appear on ESPNEWS before switching back—check your on-screen guide at kickoff)

• Streaming: Watch through your provider’s authentication in the ESPN app; standalone subscriptions and authenticated logins both work

• Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CT

• Venue: Kroger Field, Lexington, Ky.

• Radio: School radio networks and satellite radio carry live audio

Tip: If you don’t see the game tile exactly at kickoff, toggle to the alternate/overflow channel listed in your guide, then switch back when the main broadcast opens.

Key injury and availability updates

• Texas offensive line: Starting center Cole Hutson and left guard Connor Stroh are out, thinning interior depth against a physical Kentucky front.

• Texas defense: DT Maraad Watson entered the day as questionable.

• Kentucky secondary: DJ Waller returns, a boost to the back end in a game where limiting explosive plays is essential.

Final inactives come close to kickoff, but the trench picture already tilts toward a test for Texas’s interior protection.

What to watch: matchups that swing the night

1) Interior pass rush vs. young QB poise
With Texas down two interior linemen, Kentucky’s best path is interior pressure that compresses the pocket and forces hurried reads. If Texas keeps the A-gaps clean, its downfield shots open up.

2) Early-down run efficiency
Texas wants to live in second-and-medium and marry play-action to its outside concepts. Kentucky has to win first down with tackles for loss and set up obvious passing downs where simulated pressures can hit.

3) Explosives and hidden yards
This profiles as a field-position game if Kentucky keeps a lid on deep balls. Special teams—directional punts, fair catches inside the 10, and touchback discipline—could swing a one-score script.

Weather and field conditions (Lexington)

Partly cloudy and warm in the afternoon, trending into the low–mid 70s°F by kickoff with a light SSW breeze ~10–15 mph. Mostly ideal throwing conditions; wind could slightly flatten deeper balls toward one end zone.

Odds & prediction temperature

Markets leaned Texas by roughly 10–13.5 with a total in the low-to-mid 40s, reflecting confidence in the Longhorns’ defense and skepticism about Kentucky’s scoring ceiling in SEC play.

Lean: Texas by one score. The Wildcats’ best upset path is a plus-two turnover margin combined with red-zone touchdowns instead of field goals; otherwise, Texas’s defensive front and explosive play edge should carry late.

Fast viewing FAQ

• Where to watch Texas Longhorns football vs. Kentucky Wildcats football? ESPN, with potential early overflow to ESPNEWS if an earlier SEC broadcast runs long; stream in the ESPN app.

• What time does Texas vs. Kentucky start? 7:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CT.

• Why can’t I find it on my main channel at kickoff? Look for the overflow listing (often ESPNEWS) for the first few minutes, then switch back once the primary broadcast window opens.

• Audio only? Team radio networks and satellite radio carry the call live.

If Kentucky’s pass rush wins inside and the secondary avoids giving up cheap explosives, the home upset is live deep into the second half. If Texas protects the quarterback and hits two chunk plays, the visitors have the cleaner path to a road win.