What trap game? Alabama football stormed through Kentucky on Saturday, riding a lights-out first quarter to a 49-21 win.

The No. 8 Crimson Tide (9-1, 7-0 Southeastern Conference) made the most of a rare trip to Kroger Field. Jalen Milroe produced four touchdowns in the first half, the defense forced two more interceptions and the Wildcats (6-4, 3-4) didn’t have many answers.

With the win, Alabama clinched the SEC West and booked a trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship on Dec. 2. It’s the first time the Tide reached the conference title game since 2021 when it lost to Georgia. The Bulldogs can punch their ticket on Saturday with a win over Ole Miss, or a Tennessee loss to Missouri.

Here are three key takeaways from the Tide’s latest victory, its eighth in a row.

Alabama heeds Nick Saban’s warning about complacency for fast start

All week, UA coach Nick Saban warned of the proverbial trap game against the Wildcats. Following two comeback rivalry wins over Tennesse and LSU, it was fair to question how the Tide would start, especially with a rare 11 a.m. CT kickoff.

Milroe and co. got the ball first and marched down the field in a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive — the first time it scored on its opening possession since Sept. 2 against Middle Tennessee. Milroe converted a pair of first downs with his legs then hit a wide-open Amari Niblack for 26 yards. Then, less than four minutes later, Milroe scrambled before firing a 40-yard strike to Kobe Prentice.

Kentucky sandwiched a pair of three-and-outs with a costly fumble by Barion Brown (forced by Terrion Arnold), which was returned by Caleb Downs to the 1-yard line. One Milroe shove over the goal line later, the Tide had a three-touchdown lead 10 minutes into the game. The good vibes lasted until Kool-Aid McKinstry muffed a punt, eventually leading to the Wildcats’ first score.

Milroe and Arnold let a naysayer know against Kentucky

Two of Alabama’s most improved players this season happen to be close friends who share a catchphrase: LANK or ‘Let A Naysayer Know’. Both Milroe and Arnold made impact plays throughout the Tide’s win.

Milroe scored six touchdowns, giving him 10 combined in the last two weeks. Milroe flashed in and out of the pocket. He pointed receivers toward open space and picked up two touchdown runs near the goal line. Milroe finished 16-of-23 passing for 240 passing yards with 33 more on the ground.

His lone mistake was an interception to Jordan Lovett. Milroe was near the sideline and forced a throw across his body. But after the giveaway, Arnold picked up his teammate with a diving interception on the ensuing drive. It was Arnold’s second forced turnover and the continuation of a breakout season from the redshirt sophomore. He’s started to rise up draft boards according to mock experts and showed why in Lexington.

Alabama handles slew of pregame injuries, absence of Jermaine Burton

The injury bug continued to nip at the Tide. Two defensive starters — safety Jaylen Key and linebacker Deontae Lawson — were ruled out pregame, as well as receiver and special teams contributor Ja’Corey Brooks. Then, on the Crimson Tide Sports Network pregame show, Saban revealed that leading receiver Jermaine Burton was sick and would be unavailable.

It didn’t stop once the Tide took the field. Milroe was looked at for a moment after a first-down run in the first quarter. He limped off the field with help from Niblack after a touchdown run. Between possessions, Milroe pedaled on a stationary bike with a wrap over his left thigh. Milroe stayed in the game, scoring twice more on the ground before Ty Simpson took over early in the fourth quarter.

Roydell Williams fielded kickoffs for Brooks. Prentice caught four passes for 74 yards. Kristian Story and Trey Amos earned more snaps in Key’s absence. Linebacker Jihaad Campbell had a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.

Alabama is unlikely to rest players against Chattanooga next week and the Iron Bowl on Nov. 25 as it tries to cement its College Football Playoff resume, but the banged-up Tide will need to be cautious before the postseason.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].