Vanderbilt at Kentucky: Open Game Thread
by Glenn Logan on Nov 15, 2008 7:15 PM EST
in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball
Email
PrintVanderbilt Commodores at Kentucky Wildcats, Nov 15, 2008 8:00 PM EST
This is the official open game thread for the Vanderbilt Commodores versus the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium tonight at 8:00 pm EST. As usual, I will be opening the thread a bit early for some vitual tailgating.
This is a huge game for both teams, and the implications of it cannot be minimized. In Kentucky's case, a win against the 'Dores would match last season's regular season win total with one game to go in a rebuilding year, and impressive feat that will surely get Kentucky invited to a somewhat more prestigious bowl than last year, primarily due to the relative dearth of bowl-eligible teams above us. Ole Miss just got their sixth win today, and although they go to Death Valley next week, they get Mississippi State at home for a shot at #7.
Should the 'Cats win tonight, they not only get the pleasure of denying Vandy a shot at a bowl unless they beat Tennessee or Wake Forest in the final two games of the season, but it gives the 'Cats a real shot at eight wins in Knoxville two weeks from now. I truly dislike Vandy at this particular moment in time, and a victory against them would go a long way toward improving my mood, which was spoiled by last night's basketball game.
Five things Kentucky must do to win:
- Get back to basics on defense -- Mobile quarterbacks like Chris Nickson have given UK fits in the past. The 'Cats must find a way to contain him.
- Move the football -- Vandy has no shot at beating UK if the 'Cats score 38 points, so another sterling performance by Randall Cobb and his Pony Show could make up for a lot of other problems.
- Avoid turnovers -- UK has done a good job, for the most part, of getting the turnover advantage, or at least minimizing their damage. That trend needs to continue
- Be special on special teams -- Special teams almost beat Georgia last week. If they play as well today, it will be a huge plus.
- Tap into the crowd's emotion -- This is Senior Day at Kentucky, and that's always emotional. The team needs to tap into that emotion and draw strength from it.
Five things Kentucky can do to lose:
- Let Vandy move the football -- Vanderbilt has been awesome in the red zone, second only to Florida. Playing "bend but don't break" will not likely work against them. We need to get 3 and outs.
- Give Vandy short fields -- If Kentucky doesn't keep the Commodores in a hole, it could be a long night for the Wildcats.
- Give up big plays -- Kentucky has had a penchant for giving up big plays during SEC play. They can't afford that tonight.
- Let Nickson run amok -- One way to handle guys like Nickson is not to over-rush. The defensive line needs to contain him, and sending lots of blitzes is not going to work. Nickson is averaging under five yards per completion, and we need to trust our secondary and contain his running.
- Allow Sean Walker to have a big day -- If UK can take Walker away, it will really help their cause. Let him get going, and it will be a long night.
This is a big game, so get yourself ready. We must win this game.
Go, 'Cats!
222 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
No way UK can lose this game.....right?
I am truly hoping to see another offensive performance like the one against UGA.
LETS GET IT ON!!!!
Win...
My wife would really love to see a UK win tonite….it will change my mood big time!
" I believe in pipedreams"
Mine too.
I need something to cheer about after last night.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Amazes
…..the flashbacks going thru my head seeing that over and over again still amazes me..
" I believe in pipedreams"
pissy
whats gonna really suck is seeing VMI lose to a no- namer sometime in the next 2 weeks
" I believe in pipedreams"
I have more confidence in the football team
period. Sorry Tru i never meant to call you an idiot .. i retract the statement ( who ever thinks florida didnt run the score up is an idiot.) I havent showed my face in here since then
Nasty.
But I know exactly how they feel. Except for a certain team I know, the first digit of the UF score was the same as USC’s total.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Will be at dinner
Coincidentally, with a couple that went to Vandy. Will try to be polite and avoid checking the blackberry. But will get drunk to compensate.
C! A! T! S! CATS! CATS! CATS!
weather...
its cold and rainy here and im about 90 min south west of Lexington.
" I believe in pipedreams"
Never made any sense.....
All the talk about how long the defense has been on the field..hasnt the other teams offense been on the field the same amount of time?? are they not running hard also?? why then is it never said “the offense been on the field a long time, they must surely need a time out to re-group”…just a pet peve of mine…ignorant announcers..
" I believe in pipedreams"
So far
it seems as though the players had the same idea as the fans and that is that there is no way they could lose to Vandy.
But there is a "little" good news....
Our Basketball team is averaging 103 points per game… :)
I said it was little…
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
Actually
Pretty disappointed about tonight’s effort thus far, but this is a "transition" year, so all in all, considering we get to go to a bowl game, it’s not been that bad of a season. We will have basically our entire Offense back next year, and some strong defensive players. Put that with a very good recruiting class and we should be very competitive next year…
(trying to stay positive, trying real hard to stay positive)
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
good philosophy
lets hope its true. I’m from just outside Atlanta so I’d REALLY like to go to the Chik-Fil-A bowl.
by ky1wildcats7 on Nov 15, 2008 9:48 PM EST up reply actions
Just to create a little conversation...
look at Pulley’s #s…
https://admin.xosn.com/fls/20800/stats/football/2008/ncat11.htm
are we wearing capes?
we look like a flock of super heros going through the back field on punts. stay out of the air!
Is it just me, or....
has this been our worst special teams “team” in many years..???
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
Hey Guys!
What’s been more enjoyable? Our spastic special teams, or the fact that our defense has reverted back to the 2000 “Black Flag” unit?
by TheFakeGimelMartinez on Nov 15, 2008 10:17 PM EST reply actions
hell yeah!
am i allowed to say that? lol
by ky1wildcats7 on Nov 15, 2008 10:20 PM EST up reply actions
Even after a loss
I always like coming into the office on a Monday and reading through the open game threads… its entertaining to watch the ebb and flow of the commentary. And to read Ken throw out a major BS is well worth it! :D
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
I agree chirop1
I got a few chuckles myself the morning after. I loved all the cliches talk towards the end. Even with our boys in blue behind, these guys had some very entertaining remarks to keep the mood lively. Just want to thank the commenters on this thread for making my Sunday a little more bearable. What a great group we have here!
I'm here to entertain you :)
In all seriousness, I don’t use expletives on the blog, but I couldn’t help myself. My frustration got the better of me.
To kykat: The open thread during ball games is fun, and having someone like FGM to have some back-and-forth with makes it even more enjoyable.
Oh I completely agree with FGM
I don’t mind the expletives here as long as kept PG-13. I saw where you guys were having a lot of fun with the game not being so good. I loved the commentary and I don’t know why FGM went to KSR, but that is neither here nor there. He and I had a great live thread during the baseball games this past season. I thought from his comments he was drinking the tequila. He is just so funny and indeed sarcastic at times.
I loved the entertainment from all! Keep it going!
Bad call.
But we have to stop this craziness.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Don't know, but I can't believe they didn't block all three of those punts. Vandy must be playing with a laser guided ball.
That’s 14 points for the officials, 17 points for Vandy, and 17 points for UK.
by Ken Howlett on Nov 15, 2008 10:38 PM EST up reply actions
Tru and Ken
I have to give you guys props. I have read a lot of different blogs on SB Nation and you guys do the best job from my perspective. Of course I am biased towards UK info however I am impressed. I have turned a lot of my friends into fans of this site. I just wish they would contribute more. Keep up thhe excellent work.
Screwed by refs.....
it is TRUE that you can blame the refs!!! i dont care what any coach says!!!
" I believe in pipedreams"
I agree, but UK hasn't done themselves any favors.
by Ken Howlett on Nov 15, 2008 10:46 PM EST up reply actions
true
not playing like they want or need this game…and on senior night at that.
" I believe in pipedreams"
by Magnoliacat on Nov 15, 2008 10:52 PM EST up reply actions
i'm not on the same page
this game confuses me completely
by ky1wildcats7 on Nov 15, 2008 10:45 PM EST up reply actions
Man I have serious A.D.D.
I am trying to watch UK, the MLS playoffs and UFC….my clicker is in overdrive
Well.
Tiny bit of hope left.
We still need a big play.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Did Nickson release that ball from the end zone? Sure looked like he did.
Still plenty of time. UK scored two TD’s in about 3 minutes versus Ark.
Man.
The “what if” game. If either of those RTK calls didn’t have to be made, we would be in the lead.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Its Gut Check Time (tm)
Sorry, Ken, but I had to. :)
by TheFakeGimelMartinez on Nov 15, 2008 11:00 PM EST up reply actions
Too much of a beast
Remember, he was the one charged with the late QB hit. Which was very questionable, I’ll admit. :)
He needs to “play within himself”. :)
by TheFakeGimelMartinez on Nov 15, 2008 11:06 PM EST up reply actions
You're writing the post script for this one. If I do it I'll be banned from the Internet for life.
by Ken Howlett on Nov 15, 2008 11:26 PM EST up reply actions
Already ..
… done now. I’d hate to have to ban my co-author. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Nov 15, 2008 11:53 PM EST up reply actions
De nada.
I am all out of outrage. Just can’t muster any more.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Nov 16, 2008 12:00 AM EST up reply actions
I think I speak for all
Thank Goodness this sports weekend is over. One to forget.
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Nov 15, 2008 11:23 PM EST reply actions
Wow...
i didnt think it could get any WORSE…
" I believe in pipedreams"
by Magnoliacat on Nov 15, 2008 11:25 PM EST up reply actions
Thank God ...
… I gave up on the Bengals 20 years ago.
I grieve with thee.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Nov 15, 2008 11:54 PM EST up reply actions
Again
Coming in on a Monday and reading these threads fresh is very entertaining…
Right now, I can laugh because I know that the Bengals played themselves to the first NFL tie since 2002… which makes this comment even funnier!
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Maybe....
since we had such as bad week this week..we will recoup with a tar hill and vols win next week…….hey a guy can dream cant he???
" I believe in pipedreams"
A November to forget...
First it was Obama becoming President, then the heartbreaking loss to UGA, the disaster last night against VMI, and now a poor showing against Vandy. I agree with the earlier post, we just have to beat UNC and UT, and we can still salvage this sad month. I’ve been on the rag for the entire month so far, and I bet my wife is praying for something to go my way!
gobigbluecatsfan72
by gobigbluecatsfan72 on Nov 15, 2008 11:45 PM EST reply actions
No politics, please.
I’m muddy enough as it is. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Nov 15, 2008 11:56 PM EST up reply actions
Obama Election
Has nothing to do with the rest of the events in your post.
by FortyYearCatFan on Nov 15, 2008 11:53 PM EST reply actions
Maybe you should pay more attention to detail when you read a post.
gobigbluecatsfan72
by gobigbluecatsfan72 on Nov 16, 2008 1:18 AM EST up reply actions
sesame street
40 was just playing the old sesame street game: “which one of these things is not like the other?” ;-)
GO BIG BLUE!! GO BIG BLUE!!
by UKWildCatFanatic on Nov 16, 2008 2:14 AM EST up reply actions
Religion...
can we talk about that?? :)
" I believe in pipedreams"
by Magnoliacat on Nov 15, 2008 11:59 PM EST up reply actions
AAARRGGHH!!!!
;-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Nov 16, 2008 12:00 AM EST up reply actions
Hey Tru
…I’ll take Makers :-)
“No way. No how”
Just kidding. I can’t hurt any more this weekend and no extra “blood money” bet would do any better.
We will all rise another day. Well, within normal demographical statistics of such a large target group as drunk as we all are, nearly all of us will rise another day.
Changing how you think will change what you think.
Heh.
Indeed. Well said.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Nov 16, 2008 12:27 AM EST up reply actions
Agree Tru
talking politics/religion is just about as bad as comparing coaches…ahh never mind…see you all next time around….try and get some rest….
" I believe in pipedreams"
Wait.
Don’t kill yourself until after we lose both games to Vandy in basketball this year. Then, we can do it together. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Nov 16, 2008 10:12 AM EST up reply actions
I bet...
Obama thinks we ran off Tubby and McCain thinks we need a better coach than Gillispie.
;-)
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
[UPDATED 01/18/2012]
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
