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Ohio State vs. Kentucky: 2019-20 key storylines for non-conference matchup

By Brian Rauf

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Ohio State Buckeyes players celebrate with Brutus Buckeye after the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Value City Arena on November 13, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Villanova 76-51. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Ohio State Buckeyes players celebrate with Brutus Buckeye after the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Value City Arena on November 13, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Villanova 76-51. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Kentucky
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Ohio State will battle Kentucky at the CBS Sports Classic in a battle of top 10 teams. Here are the biggest storylines for this heavyweight matchup.

Ohio State and Kentucky meet on Saturday as part of the annual CBS Sports Classic, marking the only game between two top 10 teams of the week. That makes it the most high-profile game of the week, even if recent results have dampened the hype surrounding the contest.

The Buckeyes were poised to become the No. 1 team in the country this week thanks to an impressive resume that includes wins over Villanova, North Carolina, and Penn State by at least 25 points. However, they suffered their first slip up of the season on Sunday, losing to a sub-.500 Minnesota team on the road.

The Wildcats were thought to be in the tier of teams right below the nation’s best (Ohio State currently resides in that top tier) thanks to a six-game winning streak they reeled off after that embarrassing loss to Evansville. Unfortunately for Kentucky, they suffered another upset on Wednesday, this one coming at the hands of Utah in Las Vegas.

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Considering the high expectations placed on both teams and with these recent results as the backdrop, there is plenty at stake in this late December matchup.

Both coaches will learn more about their team in another game against quality competition, and both teams now have the opportunity to pick up another marquee win.

What are the biggest storylines to watch for in this great matchup? Here are the top three worth following:

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