Venables calls Kentucky's Big Blue Wall Oklahoma's toughest test up front

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables has played several well-known programs this season. He says none of them had a line like the one coming to Norman on Saturday. Venables called Kentucky's offensive front, the unit known as the Big Blue Wall, the biggest challenge his team has faced up front this fall, On3's Justin Rowland reported on Tuesday.

The On3 report ran on KSR, its Kentucky site, and most of it sits behind a paywall. Its main point is clear, though. Venables, a defensive coach who has already seen a demanding schedule, rates this Kentucky line above every other front on that list. Kentucky's coaches and fans would expect to hear that kind of praise about a unit with a strong reputation. Coming from the opposing coach in the week of the game, it also sets up the matchup that should decide Saturday night.

No. 15 Kentucky (5-1) visits Oklahoma (3-2) at 7:30 p.m. EDT Saturday on SEC Network. The Wildcats come in after a win in their last game. KSR's coverage this week includes a film review of the LSU game and a roundup of how Kentucky commits reacted to what the site called a big win. Oklahoma has already lost twice and is running out of room in the SEC race. A home game against a ranked opponent is a chance to steady its season.

That's why the line of scrimmage matters so much here. Defense has been the base of Venables' program, and his front will be asked to hold up against a line he openly respects. If Kentucky's offensive line controls the game, the Wildcats can run clock, protect their quarterback and keep Oklahoma's defense on the field. If the Sooners can win up front, a road team can quickly be pushed into long-yardage situations.

Kentucky is ranked and Oklahoma is not, but the market still sees the Sooners as the stronger side at home. Oklahoma is favored at -233 on Novig, one of the venues listing the game, which works out to an implied chance of about 70 percent. BetMGM has the best sportsbook price on Oklahoma at -250. The spread is Oklahoma -6.5 and the total is 44.5, which points to a low-scoring game decided in the trenches. Full prices are on the Kentucky at Oklahoma odds page.

The line under 7 points shows the market expects a close game. Venables' comments suggest he expects the same, and that Kentucky's chances depend largely on how its offensive line handles his defensive front.