Kentucky Wildcats vs. Alabama Crimson Tide -- Open Game Thread
by Glenn Logan on Oct 3, 2009 11:45 AM EDT
in Open Thread
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PrintAlabama Crimson Tide at Kentucky Wildcats, Oct 3, 2009 12:21 PM EDT
This is the official A Sea of Blue Open Game Thread for the Kentucky Wildcats vs. the Alabama Crimson Tide today at 12:20 at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. Particulars are as follows:
Kentucky vs. Alabama
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Commonwealth Stadium
Lexington, Ky.
Time: 12:21 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Digital Network
· Radio: BBSN
· Online Audio 
· Live Stats
· Live Blog
· Live Video on ESPN360
Statistics analysis after the jump. For the Alabama half of the story, be sure to visit Roll Bama Roll.
The statistical analysis of these two teams looks like this:
| Team Statistics | Kentucky | Opponents | Alabama | Opponents | Comments |
| Scoring: Points/Game | 26.7 | 22.7 | 40.5 | 13.0 | No contest |
| Scoring: Games - Points | 3 - 80 | 3 - 68 | 4 - 162 | 4 - 52 | |
| First Downs: Total | 58 | 54 | 94 | 45 | Look at the opponents number for 4 games vs. 3. |
| First Downs: Rushing - Passing - By Penalty | 30 - 25 - 3 | 30 - 20 - 4 | 44 - 44 - 6 | 13 - 26 - 6 | The Tide gives up some major penalties. |
| Rushing: Yards / Attempt | 4.38 | 4.89 | 5.29 | 1.73 | Look at the defense. Wow. |
| Rushing: Attempts - Yards - TD | 114 - 499 - 5 | 114 - 557 - 3 | 177 - 937 - 13 | 109 - 189 - 2 | Heh. Not close. |
| Passing: Rating | 115.97 | 109.55 | 169.06 | 95.95 | Again, look at the defense. |
| Passing: Yards | 514 | 504 | 1025 | 621 | |
| Passing: Attempts - Completions - Interceptions - TD | 90 - 54 - 3 - 4 | 79 - 37 - 3 - 4 | 106 - 72 - 1 - 7 | 122 - 59 - 2 - 3 | |
| Total Offense: Yards / Play | 5.0 | 5.5 | 6.9 | 3.5 | |
| Total Offense: Plays - Yards | 204 - 1013 | 193 - 1061 | 283 - 1962 | 231 - 810 | Even in more games, overwhelming |
| Punt Returns: Yards / Return | 7.60 | 7.00 | 18.81 | 4.25 | Tide has the best return game in the league. |
| Punt Returns: Returns - Yards - TD | 5 - 38 - 0 | 7 - 49 - 1 | 16 - 301 - 0 | 4 - 17 - 0 | |
| Kickoff Returns: Yards / Return | 29.46 | 21.93 | 21.18 | 24.96 | UK finally wins one. |
| Kickoff Returns: Returns - Yards - TD | 13 - 383 - 1 | 14 - 307 - 0 | 11 - 233 - 0 | 26 - 649 - 2 | |
| Punting: Yards / Punt | 37.69 | 36.94 | 43.13 | 42.31 | |
| Punting: Punts - Yards | 16 - 603 | 16 - 591 | 16 - 690 | 35 - 1481 | |
| Interceptions: Returns - Yards - TD | 3 - 84 - 1 | 3 - 37 - 0 | 2 - 41 - 0 | 1 - 6 - 0 | |
| Fumbles: Number - Lost | 4 - 2 | 3 - 2 | 7 - 2 | 8 - 2 | The Tide does mishandle the ball sometimes. |
| Penalties: Number - Yards | 20 - 184 | 17 - 130 | 26 - 223 | 28 - 224 | Alabama will get penalties. |
| Time of Possession / Game | 30:36.67 | 29:23.33 | 33:14.75 | 26:45.25 | |
| 3rd Down Conversions: Conversion % | 44.44% | 35.56% | 44.64% | 25.86% | Look at the defense. Wow. |
| 3rd Down Conversions: Attempts - Conversions | 45 - 20 | 45 - 16 | 56 - 25 | 58 - 15 | Ditto. |
| 4th Down Conversions: Conversion % | 50% | 50% | 66.67% | 25% | |
| 4th Down Conversions: Attempts - Conversions | 4 - 2 | 4 - 2 | 3 - 2 | 8 - 2 | |
| Red Zone: Success % | 80% | 75% | 86.36% | 80% | UK isn't bad here. |
| Red Zone: Attempts - Scores | 10 - 8 | 12 - 9 | 22 - 19 | 5 - 4 | |
| Field Goals: Success % | 50% | 66.7% | 80% | 100% | |
| Field Goals: Attempts - Made | 2 - 1 | 6 - 4 | 10 - 8 | 1 - 1 | |
| PAT Kicking: Success % | 100% | 100% | 88.9% | 100% | |
| PAT Kicking: Attempts - Made | 11 - 11 | 8 - 8 | 18 - 16 | 7 - 7 | |
| 2-Point Conversions: Success % | - | - | 50% | - | |
| 2-Point Conversions: Attempts - Made | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 2 - 1 | 0 - 0 |
Let's face it, folks -- on paper, this game is over before it begins. Kentucky is far inferior, statistically, to the Crimson Tide in nearly every measurable aspect. Fortunately, the game is not played on paper.
Ken has already laid out for you, in gruesome detail, the things that have to go right for UK to win this game. I want to add a few things that must go wrong for the Tide in addition to my supposition that they will be looking past Kentucky:
- The Tide must turn the football over at least twice, net.
- The secondary must do something nobody has done so far -- stop the Tide downfield passing game.
- The defensive line must hold the Tide rushers to a respectable number.
- The defensive line must get pressure on Greg McElroy.
- Alabama must not be able to get a big early lead.
- Penalties must favor Kentucky.
There is no real analysis which can be done with anything like integrity that shows Kentucky coming out on top in this game. I recall to you the LSU game two years ago, where UK defeated the Tigers here at Commonwealth. I would like to say that this game is similar, but it isn't -- UK had a much more potent offense in that game, and LSU's offense was nothing like that of the Tide this year. The only real similarity is the Alabama and LSU defense.
So in the end, even if we have little hope, we do have the home field advantage, a reasonably healthy team, and a ton of things to prove. Maybe, despite all the numbers and analysis, that is enough. Let's hope so.
GO 'CATS!
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Thanks for the links Tru.....
it sure it so simple to get the audio up and running when you post it here. Just click and shoot…..LOL….
Now…..
C….A….T….S…..CATS…..CATS……CATS !!…..GO BLUE !!
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Lets go Cats
I dont wanna see a repeat of last week PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kentucky ...
… has got to stop this stupid dirty football.
Play clean, dammit!
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Hartline threw into a crowd.
Freshman mistake.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Good job, Dline!
Lot of pressure on that play.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Well ...
… at least we are showing a few signs. A couple of bad plays, but Alabama has not totally put the game away yet.
A couple of first downs, here, and we might have a ball game.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
bama touchdown
did I see offensive holding on that ’bama touchdown run play?
Unacceptable.
These personal fouls are unacceptable.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
i'm only going to catch the 1st qtr
Tru, do you know how soon the games get posted to SECDIGITAL.COM?
Glad they're using it
more than just one play at a time. Cobb needs several plays in a row in the Wildcat to get the feel for the defense.
WOW
Who would have bet that UK could have made two 49 yard field goals in the first quarter to be within a point of the Tide?
Not me. Never. Even with the wind assist.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Just tuned in
Yeah I was drinking a little last night while waiting on BBM tickets, I woke up late. Game is looking good though….two 49 yard field goals?!
by Conis22 on Oct 3, 2009 1:17 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Jeeez!
AAAARRRRGGH. F’n Hartline, non-throwing … AAAGhh!
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Tydlacka ...
… is having a career day. The kicking team is having a career day.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I'm not in the room, what just happened?
by Conis22 on Oct 3, 2009 1:23 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Man.
This place is like a tomb. Never seen it so quiet.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Well, Kentucky ...
… really made a mess out of that. Lack of tackling, and Alabama is hitting us in between zones.
We have to get more pressure on the passer.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Just pure bad luck there.
Nothing to be done about it. Nice defensive play by ’Bama.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Kentucky is still in this game.
They can’t lose heart because of that. We just have to find ways to get more pressure on McElroy, and keep playing hard.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
UK moved the ball well on Alabama.
We just need to stick to what is working. And running the football is working.
Hartline is just killing us today, but frankly, the conditions are difficult. If we don’t find a way to get some turnovers, though, it’s going to be tough.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
We could get a few touchdowns......
that might help too :-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Yeah ...
… they are pretty much indispensable. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
You think
Liberty Bowl or vintage? I am open for suggestions….lol
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
First Half: A much better effort this week
.
Comes down in large part to some bad breaks. Special Teams is doing really well. Defense has been much improved— still some sloppy tackling at times— but much improved. The running game has made some nice gains.
Our QB has progressed over the years to where he can now run a play. He may not ever reach the point where he can actually make plays, though.
The play calling— especially “passing” plays— is still stuck in “give up” mode. We don’t run plays designed to get first downs— we call plays that our QB is able to run, and then cross our fingers and hope that our guy can avoid tackles and make a first down mostly on his own effort. Not going to be good enough.
Like the level of effort so far this week.
by Sonic on Oct 3, 2009 1:58 PM EDT reply actions
I can feel the team really wants this one....
more than last week
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
C....A.....T.....S.....CATS......CATS......CATS
Gotta try this again….GO BLUE !!
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
That's it.
I’ve had it with Hartline. That was not excusable.
He should be done, I hope.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
what do we do?
Is Fidler any more prepared to do better? Not disagreeing, but man, the other choice isn’t all that appealing.
"The IQ of a mob is the IQ of its most stupid member divided by the number of mobsters." --Terry Pratchett
I'd be more than willing to give Fidler or Newton a shot at this point.
Hartline – 40 some yards, 2 int, 0 td.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Make that 3 int.
Inexcusable.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
I'd rather see Newtown
at least let a true freshman that has the arm strength and athleticism to play at this level get experience. Zero chance it happens though, I would think.
"The IQ of a mob is the IQ of its most stupid member divided by the number of mobsters." --Terry Pratchett
I don't disagree.
If Brooks is anything its not flexible. Fidler is much more likely to see PT than Newton is.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
We have beaten ourselves. (past tense).
What can I say? Turnovers kill you, and we look dead.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Turnovers and penalties. Killing killing killing.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Just depressing.
You just can’t throw the ball into traffic like that.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
That actually wasn't as bad a pass
as some of the others. It was a tad behind the receiver, though— which makes plays like that tip drill in traffic much more likely. And dangerous.
I actually didn’t mind the play call in that situation—- so there is that to be thankful for.
by Sonic on Oct 3, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Hartline ...
… locks on to his receivers. He has got to do better.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I noticed that
You clearly see that when he threw that second int
by Conis22 on Oct 3, 2009 2:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Not ...
… an SEC quality quarterback.
At this point, we aren’t competitive mostly because Hartline is clueless.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
You are 100% correct about that 'locking in', Tru
Luckily there is one route where that doesn’t really matter - :)
Personally, I don’t think he will ever progress past that. Hope I’m wrong.
by Sonic on Oct 3, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Great throw!
Way to stick in there hartline we need more of those.
by Conis22 on Oct 3, 2009 2:23 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I'll tell you what:
Your team has a brutal schedule this year. The early bye week, now leading into a Florida, Alabama, @SoCar, @Auburn. The two most difficult teams in the country followed by roadies to a good defense, then a good offense.
So long as injuries don’t mount up, I would anticipate one hard-nosed disposition by the time Louisiana-Monroe rolls in.
Well ...
… at least our offense has looked competent against Alabama some of the time. When we don’t kill ourselves with stupid personal fouls or throw it into traffic.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Too little too late, but if we can get a stop and another score, this will at least look
more respectable.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Got the stop. No score. Damn.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
well
we got 20 pts…….
penalties and Tide D (when they showed up) too much for UK.
Lets hope Lindley allright.
GO BIG BLUE!!!!!
I LOVE COOKING WITH WINE
Sometimes I even put it in the food.
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