Kentucky Football: Post-Game Thoughts After Defeating Ohio Bobcats

The Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Ohio Bobcats today 20-3 bringing justice to the universe, and maintaining cosmic order. Kentucky has now matched last season's win mark, is 2-0 for the first time since 2011, and has also had back-to-back first half shut-outs. Improvement on the field is evident despite leaving at least 6-10 points on the field with end zone drops and missed field goals. Feel free to exhale, pour a finger or two of that Pappy you've been saving, and prepare for a season that - so far - has the makings of being fairly compelling. Praise to the new chrome helmets.

I said it in another thread, but for my money, that was the best game of football Kentucky has played since 2010.  The effort and execution was largely there on both sides of the ball against a team that will win 4-5 games in the MAC. The young guys are making plays, the offensive line played fairly well, and Patrick Towles' play makes us forget there was once a quarterback competition. Defensively, the secondary continues to play well, but the linebackers also stepped up today. The defensive line played much better today as well.

But UK has gotta regularly make field goals. No points can be taken for granted once SEC play begins. Also, short yardage situations remain a concern on both sides of the ball. This team shows signs of having an explosive offense, but can it string together clock-consuming drives? It needs to do both to be a good team in the SEC and knock off the above average teams.

Post-Game Paean To Victory

UK now turns their focus on a tough, upcoming SEC schedule. As the indomitable Miss Monae sings, UK will need to tip on the tight-rope, and whether they are high or low, must maintain their balance. If they do that, this squad will surprise some teams.

I don't want to underplay  that UK is 2-0 without probable starting receivers Alexander Montgomery and Jeff Badet. Today they were also missing definite starters Zach West, Braylon Heard, and Javess Blue. An offense that has put up big yards, albeit against lesser competition, is yet to be fully armed this season.

Glenn was at the horse track today, and will be by a bit later to write a proper post-mortem (hopefully with more cash in his wallet leaving than entering Churchill Downs). That will do it for me today (but I'll have my own post-mortem at Team Speed Kills a little later if you're interested), but I saw a lot from UK today that will be worth writing about later this week. Use the comments section as an open thread.

'Till Gainesville, BBN.