By Murray Evans
The Associated Press

UK VS. ALABAMA

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. today, Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington. Records: UK 1-3 (0-1 Southeastern Conference), Alabama 3-2 (1-2). TV: WB64. Radio: WSAI-AM (1530). Series: Alabama leads 32-2-1. Line: Alabama by 6. What to watch: Kentucky never has an easy time with the Crimson Tide, and the Wildcats' psyches must be fragile after last week's loss to Ohio. Can Rich Brooks do something to pull them out of their funk? UK Team stats UA 321.2 Offense avg. 373.2 146 Avg. by rush 227.4 175.2 Avg. by pass 145.8 420.5 Defense avg. 246.2 197.2 Avg. by rush 126.6 223.2 Avg. by pass 119.6 17.5 Avg. pts. for 17.4 27 Avg. pts. against 14.2

LEXINGTON - Both of their offenses are struggling, but the similarities between Alabama and Kentucky end there.

The Crimson Tide (3-2, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) have the nation's fourth stingiest defense, giving up an SEC-leading 246 yards a game.

"We've done some good things, we've got some confidence, but we can't stop it now," said Alabama coach Mike Shula. "We can't have a letdown defensively. We've got to do a good job right from the beginning."

Kentucky mostly has been kept out of the end zone this season - except for a 51-32 win over Indiana. The Wildcats (1-3, 0-1 SEC) were shut out by Louisville, scored just three points against Florida and reached a low point last week in a 28-16 loss at home to lightly regarded Ohio.

"They're the best defense we've seen, which is not good news for us, because we've struggled putting together drives and finding the end zone in every game but one," Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said.

Brooks has promised that backup quarterback Andre Woodson, a redshirt freshman who saw his first career action against Ohio, will play against the Crimson Tide. Senior Shane Boyd will remain the starter.

Alabama had few problems offensively until starting quarterback Brodie Croyle suffered a season-ending knee injury Sept. 18. Since Croyle's injury, the Crimson Tide have scored just 13 points in losses to consecutive Arkansas and South Carolina.

Alabama coach Mike Shula said Marc Guillon is his starting quarterback, despite the sophomore's poor showing in his first two outings. Guillon is 15-of-36 for 120 yards, with three interceptions.

Guillon and his backup, junior Spencer Pennington, each threw two interceptions in last week's 20-3 loss to South Carolina. Shula said he's sticking with Guillon this week because he'll give Alabama the best chance to win.

Alabama's offense will face a Kentucky defense that has shown a propensity to surrender big plays. Ohio recorded 244 of its 308 yards of offense against UK on just eight plays, scoring touchdowns on pass plays of 44 and 89 yards.

Brooks is tweaking his lineup yet again. Freshman Micah Jones will start on the offensive line - joining another true freshman who already starts, left tackle Aaron Miller.

Sophomore Brad Booker, who has three tackles this season, will replace Chad Anderson - the team's leading tackler this season and last - at inside linebacker, as coaches have said Anderson's play has been inconsistent.

Also on defense, freshman safety Wesley Woodyard has been moved to inside linebacker.