Open Game Thread: The Hilltoppers Come to Town
by Glenn Logan on Sep 27, 2008 6:30 PM EDT
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PrintWestern Kentucky Hilltoppers at Kentucky Wildcats, Sep 27, 2008 7:00 PM EDT
This is the official open thread for Western Kentucky University at the University of Kentucky.
This is the last of the out of conference games before Kentucky ventures into the wild and wooly SEC, and for the Wildcats to have a chance at a bowl this year, it would seem that this game is absolutely critical to their hopes. So far the last few years, the Hilltoppers have been mired in futility against SEC teams, losing every game against SEC foes since 2005.
For Kentucky, they need to show that they can be competitive in the SEC, and so far they have simply not done so. UK has had some good moments, but for the most part, the offense has been extremely limited and unimpressive, even if the defense has been stalwart.
Five keys that will lead to a UK victory:
- Ramp up the running game. Our much-vaunted stable of running backs need to show they can deliver.
- Offensive line play -- for a line with such experience and depth, they have not made holes for the backs.
- Vertical game -- we should have one.
- Keep the Toppers in front of them -- The defense has seen what the spread can do under the right conditions. Kentucky must prove they can defend it.
- Kick field goals -- We have been solid on special teams except for field goals. Tydlacka needs to prove himself, since Seiber has given him the opportunity.
Five things that could lead to a UK loss:
- Failure to defend the spread -- we have seen big yards gained on UK by the one spread team they have faced, and UK must show they can defend it better.
- Failure to score in the red zone -- Kentucky is 72nd in the nation in red zone conversions.
- Failure to keep Western out of the red zone -- Western Kentucky is 13-13 in red zone conversions, tied for the national lead.
- Special teams -- Kentucky has been very solid in special teams. If they take today off, it could cost them the game.
- Turnover margin -- Kentucky is 12th in the nation, and Western is 18th. Whoever wins the turnover battle will have a leg up in this game.
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Amen!
To point number 5 on the keys to a win, for my festering ulcer i hope we shine in tat department tonite…well hopefully it wont be that close but at the same time i hope it is not so lopsided its crazy. Thats why i HATE playing in state schools(except Louisville, but they are close enough to Indiana..ha)..Under any other situation i want WKU to do well, My wife is an alum there.
" I believe in pipedreams"
TV...
Ummmm yes…matter of fact we have high speed internet, cable AND caller-ID all thru the good folks at SCRTC!! They call us High Tech Rednecks!
" I believe in pipedreams"
SCRTC
South Central Rural Telephone Cooperative..or the phone company :)..outta Glasgow.
" I believe in pipedreams"
I am here...
All I have is radio access as my satellite provider does not include that Lex station or the BG station. I am pissed to say the least :(
I am watching ...
…espn360. The game hasn’t started yet, though.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I am fixing
to do a six o’clock newscast once the Michigan game is done…I’ll be flipping here during the commercial breaks!@!!!!!
GO BIG BLUE!!!!!
Moving the football ...
… but we’re hardly a well-oiled machine.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Holmes...
Yeah I heard they intro’d in the end zone…my hero among Perry and Boo and Kim…all the team!
The defense ...
… has been more than impressive. We need more out of the offense, though.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Great job by the secondary.
That’s who deserves credit for that sack.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Prediction after tv break....
T. Dixon goes 99 2/3 yards for the TD and sets the UK and maybe the NCAA record for the longest TD run from scrimmage!…….You heard it hear first SoB!
" I believe in pipedreams"
So far ...
predictable. We are ahead, our defense is good and our offense is bad.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Hey, I know that feeling.
Except for the ‘ahead’ part, of course. How does that feel?
by David Hooper on Sep 27, 2008 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Saw the UT/Auburn game.
It was like a visit to the dentist. Man, those offenses were awful.
Defense looked strong. Tough loss for the Vols.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
It's going to be a long year.
Living in Knoxville is not very fun right now. Even the silver lining in the black cloud is demanding Fulmer’s resignation right now.
by David Hooper on Sep 27, 2008 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Heh.
I’ve been away for too long. Good to see my favorite Ky fans still at it! Go Cats!
by David Hooper on Sep 27, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Tru:
(continuing conversation from above)
FYI, this may very well be your year to break The Streak against UT. In Neyland, even.
Just got the radio
going on the computer as halftime hits. Better than nothing. :) Listening to halftime report now.
Vols...
Will play the game of the year againist us…they ALWAYS seem to :(
" I believe in pipedreams"
Well I said earlier...
Been some upsets this week and today, but I don’t want UK to be one of those.
Alabama has
a heck of a defense. There offense looks good also. It would be major upset for UK to beat them.
That's what we need
to see (hear in my case), Ford showing leadership to the fellow receivers about blocking downfield!!! YESS!!!
Ga. coach
Better have one heck of a half-time speech or this is gonna get uglier…..if thats possible.
" I believe in pipedreams"
Was thinking the same thing...
Should get us ready seeing what they are doing to Ga. and at the same time let them have a major letdown…..that would be sweet!
" I believe in pipedreams"
It was looking grim
the first two games but Phillips and Co are doing a heckuva job building Hartline up. Gonna pay dividends here on out.
Looks like UK is in good shape in this one.
BTW, Woodyard is doing a terrific job with the Broncos in his rookie year. He’s a very bright spot on their suspect defense, and he’s set for a great career. He’s an unsung gem who many teams regret not drafting.
Woodyard
I always thought he had what it took..or atleast hoping he did :)
" I believe in pipedreams"
Minnesota Vikings...
Hey Hooper..do you know if the Vikes have a SBNation? I saw you were a member of the Broncs. Anyway i could find out if they have one? Thanks.
" I believe in pipedreams"
Yeah, here you go:
For future reference, you can find all of the SBNation blogs at their main website: SBNation.com.
by David Hooper on Sep 27, 2008 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Up at 3AM Sunday
Have a great night all, enjoyed “watching” the game with ya…gotta work tomarrow :(..GO CATS! about that FG kicker….we kinda got one.
" I believe in pipedreams"
Okay heading back to work..
be back to see comments from those of you that were lucky enough to view the game.
For sure KYKAT!
Back at work now and now watching the rest of the ALA vs GA game. A little scouting….:)
Uk could crack top 25 with win tonight....
lotta unranked teams beating up on ranked ones. Mayyyyyyyyyyybbbbbbbbeeeeeee……….. Course might not last more’n a week though. :)
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