Kentucky Wildcats Quickies: An Ugly Win is Still a Win Edition

One of the first things Mark Stoops said in his postgame press conference was “4-1 is better than 3-2”. While that’s true, I don’t think yesterday did much to ease the pain of the Big Blue Nation as their Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Eastern Michigan Eagles 24-20.

I noted in the Quickies yesterday how surprised I was to see people in the Lexington media picking Kentucky to win by multiple touchdowns because I had not seen any signs of this team being able to do that. And sure enough the game came down to the final possession.

While the defense and the special teams are lightyears better than they were last season, the offense is stuck in a quagmire. The team’s offensive identity last season was the running game with Boom Williams, Benny Snell, and Jojo Kemp behind one of the SEC’s best offensive line. Now that Boom and Jojo is gone and the offensive line is in shambles without Cole Mosier and John Toth, the identity of the offense is non-existent.

It seems as if Eddie Gran is still trying to force Kentucky to be a power running team much to the detriment of time of possession and the defense. With a much improved Stephen Johnson and the skill set of Lynn Bowden, the UK offense has an opportunity to be explosive. But it’s bland, predictable, and pedestrian.

While UK is 4-1 and after Missouri they’re likely to be 5-1, the schedule is about to get much more difficult. But with the bye-week coming, the ‘Cats will have time to figure it all out.

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Quickies

So what happened to that punishing UK offensive line? | Lexington Herald Leader- This was the question of the day as EMU destroyed the UK line and in the process destroyed Stephen Johnson. He won’t hold up if this trend continues.

Players admit to playing down to EMU | SEC Country- This is troubling. While this team has talent, they don’t have the talent to play down to any team in the country. This is on the coaches to correct.

“I wouldn’t say we underestimated that team, but we didn’t come out with that fire like we would a Florida or any other team,” running back Benny Snell said after the game.

“At times it felt like we weren’t really prepared to be in that game,” Stephen Johnson added.

The coaches should be extremely pissed off at comments like these.

Tightrope act worrisome for UK football | Courier Journal- Right now Kentucky is winning these close games, and they have been since last season, but one has to wonder when the script finally flips.

Mark Stoops postgame comments | SEC Country- Stoops had a lot of praise for his defense and special teams. He didn’t have much to say at all about the offense or the offensive line.

Final stats from Kentucky vs. EMU | Herald Leader- Those offensive numbers are enough to put you to sleep.

Jarred Vanderbilt out for 3 months | Coachcal.com- The loss of the 5 star forward gives the depth at the forward position a blow but there are still guys that will be able to fill-in. Vanderbilt is projected as a first round draft pick. Hopefully he will be ready to go in January as the ‘Cats get into the teeth of the SEC.

UK vs. EMU photo gallery | UK Athletics- It was a beautiful day. So that was a plus.

It’s Alabama, Clemson, and everyone else | ESPN- While the Tide and the Tigers continue to flex their muscles, we are left wondering who else is on their level. Georgia and Penn State seem to be the teams to fill in the other two playoff spots.

SEC Power Rankings | Saturday’s Down South- The SEC is proving to be a mediocre conference with two REALLY good teams in Bama and UGA. UK sits at 8:

If you’re an optimist, you say that Kentucky has improved enough that they can play like crap and beat somebody. If you’re a pessimist, you just say that Kentucky played like crap.

Yup.

Tennessee Report Card | SEC Country- The Vols deserve a failing grade after getting demolished 41-0 in Neyland stadium. Over/under days Butch Jones has left as the HC in Knoxville?

How Neal Brown made Troy fun again | SB Nation- Troy defeated LSU in Tiger Stadium last night and Kentucky’s own Neal Brown immediately became the hottest young coach in the country.

Polls show the NFL may be in trouble with viewers | Yahoo!- The kneeling debate continues to rage and in response fans are watching less NFL. And that trend looks as if it’s only going to get worse.

Fantasy Football start ‘em and sit ‘em | CBS- For those of us still interested in the NFL, here are some fantasy projections. For what their worth.

Impromptu board meeting scheduled for Monday for UofL board | Courier Journal- This could spell the definitive end for Coach 2 and Tommy Turtleneck.

Marilyn Manson crushed by prop, rushed to hospital | Rolling Stone- The shock rocker was performing in NYC when a large stage prop toppled and crushed him in front of fans. He is in a hospital recovering from his injuries.

OJ Simpson released from prison | People- The former football legend served nine years in federal prison for kidnapping and armed robbery. He was acquitted of murder in the 90’s and the deaths of ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman remained unsolved.

Monty Hall dies at 96 | The Wrap- Hall was the host of the game show “Let’s Make a Deal” and he, along with “The Price is Right’s” Bob Barker, ruled daytime TV in the 80’s.