The 3-2-1 returns with what we learned from Kentucky against Vanderbilt, what we're asking and another bold prediction.
Link: How likely is a bowl game?
Jordan Jones (Marvin Gentry/USA Today Sports)
What we've learned
1. The defensive improvement is real. Will it last? We'll find out over the next two weeks, against Missouri and Mississippi State, when Kentucky plays "the biggest game(s) of the Mark Stoops era," yet again.
Whether it lasts or not, it's been real. Since Mark Stoops took over the defense the Wildcats have been more fundamentally sound, players have been in the right spot more often, there have been fewer missed assignments and blown coverages and Kentucky has, more frequently than before, been able to keep opposing offenses off balance.
Premium link: Offensive line recruiting notes
Kentucky's defense might have been the worst in the country through three games. Over the last three games they've held South Carolina and Vanderbilt to an average of 11.5 points while keeping Alabama under 500 yards (that's an accomplishment against the Tide, on the road) and to 34 points.
2. The pass game needs a reset button. The first half of the Southern Miss game seems a distant memory. Remember when Tavin Richardson hauled in two long passes in that half? Or when Garrett Johnson had two touchdown receptions in that game? It seems like ages ago.
The passing game got off to a promising start under Stephen Johnson in the New Mexico State game. He went for more than 300 yards stepping in for Drew Barker. But the pass game has deteriorated over the last three weeks, to the point where opponents are facing a one-dimensional Kentucky offense. Fortunately the Cats have been able to run the ball against most opponents, one-dimensional or not. But UK will have to either find a way for Stephen Johnson to improve in the pocket or they'll have to find a way to really cater to his strengths as a mobile quarterback, or that one-dimensional limitation will really start to hurt.
3. Kentucky is finally responding to adversity well. Example one was the South Carolina game. Kentucky was 1-2 with that win over New Mexico State feeling, somehow, like less than a win. The Cats bounced back with a spirited performance against the Gamecocks, getting their first SEC win.
The second example: Going to Alabama and not allowing the wheels to come off when things started to go wrong. Sure, the score was ugly at one point. But Kentucky played with pride in Tuscaloosa, and made it a competitive game for longer than most expected.
Premium link: Notes on QB Danny Clark's unofficial visit to UK
The third example was on Saturday against Vanderbilt, and it was probably the best example yet. Kentucky built a 17-3 lead but the gap narrowed to seven after the scoop and score following Stanley Williams' fumble. Then Vanderbilt had a chance to tie the game when Johnson threw an interception shortly thereafter. UK held the Commodores to a field goal, even after a long drive that nearly spanned the entire field, and the offense came back out to drive the field themselves, leaving little clock for VU. Even after the defense allowed Vandy to drive the field they made stops in the redzone - at least, they made enough stops.
Stanley Williams (Mark Zerof/USA Today Sports)
What we're asking
1. Will Boom Williams bounce back? He had arguably his worst game in quite some time against Vanderbilt, with that crippling fumble and sometimes too much east-west running. But Kentucky needs Williams in order to reach its full potential. He couldn't have been thrilled with the decision to go with Jojo Kemp and Benny Snell, but finding a way to rebound with the right attitude will be key to the offense's success in the coming weeks.
Link: Game Grades from Kentucky-Vanderbilt
2. Will the Cats' pass rush continue to improve? Josh Allen is clearly hitting his stride when it comes to applying pressure in the backfield. Denzil Ware has done that at moments this year. Jordan Jones doesn't always rush the passer as much as those guys but when he does, he's often been successful.
These guys are sophomores so inconsistency is to be expected. But if they can sustain their success -- and they have had success recently -- it changes the forecast for the rest of the season.
Benny Snell (Mark Zerof/USA Today Sports)
One bold prediction
Benny Snell will be Kentucky's starter next season. And that's because Boom Williams will leave for the NFL Draft. There's been plenty of chatter that it might happen. Though it hasn't happened yet and it might not happen, expect Snell to get the lion's share of the carries next year. Kentucky has been very balanced in the way it has distributed the carries in recent weeks, between Boom, Kemp and Snell. Next year other backs will still be needed, but Snell steps into the true workhorse role.
Link: How likely is a bowl game?
Jordan Jones (Marvin Gentry/USA Today Sports)
What we've learned
1. The defensive improvement is real. Will it last? We'll find out over the next two weeks, against Missouri and Mississippi State, when Kentucky plays "the biggest game(s) of the Mark Stoops era," yet again.
Whether it lasts or not, it's been real. Since Mark Stoops took over the defense the Wildcats have been more fundamentally sound, players have been in the right spot more often, there have been fewer missed assignments and blown coverages and Kentucky has, more frequently than before, been able to keep opposing offenses off balance.
Premium link: Offensive line recruiting notes
Kentucky's defense might have been the worst in the country through three games. Over the last three games they've held South Carolina and Vanderbilt to an average of 11.5 points while keeping Alabama under 500 yards (that's an accomplishment against the Tide, on the road) and to 34 points.
2. The pass game needs a reset button. The first half of the Southern Miss game seems a distant memory. Remember when Tavin Richardson hauled in two long passes in that half? Or when Garrett Johnson had two touchdown receptions in that game? It seems like ages ago.
The passing game got off to a promising start under Stephen Johnson in the New Mexico State game. He went for more than 300 yards stepping in for Drew Barker. But the pass game has deteriorated over the last three weeks, to the point where opponents are facing a one-dimensional Kentucky offense. Fortunately the Cats have been able to run the ball against most opponents, one-dimensional or not. But UK will have to either find a way for Stephen Johnson to improve in the pocket or they'll have to find a way to really cater to his strengths as a mobile quarterback, or that one-dimensional limitation will really start to hurt.
3. Kentucky is finally responding to adversity well. Example one was the South Carolina game. Kentucky was 1-2 with that win over New Mexico State feeling, somehow, like less than a win. The Cats bounced back with a spirited performance against the Gamecocks, getting their first SEC win.
The second example: Going to Alabama and not allowing the wheels to come off when things started to go wrong. Sure, the score was ugly at one point. But Kentucky played with pride in Tuscaloosa, and made it a competitive game for longer than most expected.
Premium link: Notes on QB Danny Clark's unofficial visit to UK
The third example was on Saturday against Vanderbilt, and it was probably the best example yet. Kentucky built a 17-3 lead but the gap narrowed to seven after the scoop and score following Stanley Williams' fumble. Then Vanderbilt had a chance to tie the game when Johnson threw an interception shortly thereafter. UK held the Commodores to a field goal, even after a long drive that nearly spanned the entire field, and the offense came back out to drive the field themselves, leaving little clock for VU. Even after the defense allowed Vandy to drive the field they made stops in the redzone - at least, they made enough stops.
Stanley Williams (Mark Zerof/USA Today Sports)
What we're asking
1. Will Boom Williams bounce back? He had arguably his worst game in quite some time against Vanderbilt, with that crippling fumble and sometimes too much east-west running. But Kentucky needs Williams in order to reach its full potential. He couldn't have been thrilled with the decision to go with Jojo Kemp and Benny Snell, but finding a way to rebound with the right attitude will be key to the offense's success in the coming weeks.
Link: Game Grades from Kentucky-Vanderbilt
2. Will the Cats' pass rush continue to improve? Josh Allen is clearly hitting his stride when it comes to applying pressure in the backfield. Denzil Ware has done that at moments this year. Jordan Jones doesn't always rush the passer as much as those guys but when he does, he's often been successful.
These guys are sophomores so inconsistency is to be expected. But if they can sustain their success -- and they have had success recently -- it changes the forecast for the rest of the season.
Benny Snell (Mark Zerof/USA Today Sports)
One bold prediction
Benny Snell will be Kentucky's starter next season. And that's because Boom Williams will leave for the NFL Draft. There's been plenty of chatter that it might happen. Though it hasn't happened yet and it might not happen, expect Snell to get the lion's share of the carries next year. Kentucky has been very balanced in the way it has distributed the carries in recent weeks, between Boom, Kemp and Snell. Next year other backs will still be needed, but Snell steps into the true workhorse role.
