For months, I have explained why I think 2017 will be Mark Stoops' breakout season at Kentucky. Drew Barker will have a full season under his belt as our starting quarterback, all our key playmakers except Jo Jo and Timmons will be back, and 19-20 starters will return. Seldom does any SEC team have that many starters returning. So I still believe 2017 looks promising. First things first. I have been in the minority here, predicting another 5-7 season in 2016. My worries about our defensive line are stronger than most other people here. But here, I will only talk about what Kentucky needs to do to win each game, without predicting outcomes.
Southern Miss. To win, we must get 2 things done well. We must run the football all day against Southern Miss's defense. Running the football will keep Kentucky's offense on the field, and keep Southern Miss's offense on the sideline. And we must create an effective pass rush off the defensive edge against their quarterback. Some people think the presence of Westry and Baity negates Nick Mullens, but football doesn't work that way. If you give a great quarterback time in the pocket, he will beat any secondary. Coach Eliot must attack Mullens in the pocket. If we do that, we can win. But if we don't do it, then this game becomes a shootout and the advantage swings to the senior quarterback with the big track record.
Florida. Our offense must out-rush Florida. We must establish our running game, and our defense must take away Florida's running game. And we must avoid game changing mistakes.
New Mexico State. Run the football effectively, and don't get any of our key players hurt.
South Carolina. Force South Carolina's inexperienced quarterback to determine the game's outcome. Coach Eliot can move a safety into the defensive box to stuff South Carolina's running game and create blitz angles. Our offense will need to run clock all day and score efficiently inside the red zone. This is a big game for Boom Williams.
Alabama. Whatever chance we have in this game would be based on limiting Alabama's running game. Our offense and special teams can't afford any mistakes.
Vanderbilt. Don't allow Vandy to run the football effectively. Make their quarterback beat us if he can. We have to establish our own running game so that Vandy's defense cannot focus on Drew Barker.
Mississippi State. Stoops has never beaten Dan Mullen, because Mullen's teams are always more physical that Stoops' teams. This year, Stoops must turn that around. We must be the more physical team that day. We must score efficiently in the red zone at every opportunity. This Is 1 of a few games on our schedule where we are more experienced than the other team at most positions. Another big game for Boom.
Missouri. The Tigers have Drew Lock, and they have future pros on their defense. They always play tough on their home field. This game will be a battle of 2 talented young quarterbacks. To win, Kentucky's offensive line must give Drew Barker time to see his receivers and set himself in the pocket without taking a lot of big hits. Kentucky's defense cannot allow Mizzou to run the football effectively. Hopefully, Lock doesn't have enough playmakers.
Georgia. The Bulldogs have a powerful running game, but also an inexperienced quarterback. If our defense can keep Georgia from completely controlling the game with their rushing attack, we could keep it competitive into the 2nd half. Our offensive game plan - get the football into the hands of our playmakers, and hope they can make enough plays. Another big game for Boom.
Tennessee. Have to keep Joshua Dobbs in the pocket and pressure him. Don't let Dobbs get on the edge. Don't allow Jalen Hurd to gain more yards after first contact. Wrap him up. Kentucky must establish our own running game and avoid mistakes.
Austin Peay. See New Mexico State.
Louisville. Keep Lamar Jackson in the pocket and off the edge. Make Jackson throw from the pocket under pressure. Don't let Louisville move the chains on the ground. Kentucky's offensive line must give Barker time in the pocket to pick up receivers without taking many hard shots.
Southern Miss. To win, we must get 2 things done well. We must run the football all day against Southern Miss's defense. Running the football will keep Kentucky's offense on the field, and keep Southern Miss's offense on the sideline. And we must create an effective pass rush off the defensive edge against their quarterback. Some people think the presence of Westry and Baity negates Nick Mullens, but football doesn't work that way. If you give a great quarterback time in the pocket, he will beat any secondary. Coach Eliot must attack Mullens in the pocket. If we do that, we can win. But if we don't do it, then this game becomes a shootout and the advantage swings to the senior quarterback with the big track record.
Florida. Our offense must out-rush Florida. We must establish our running game, and our defense must take away Florida's running game. And we must avoid game changing mistakes.
New Mexico State. Run the football effectively, and don't get any of our key players hurt.
South Carolina. Force South Carolina's inexperienced quarterback to determine the game's outcome. Coach Eliot can move a safety into the defensive box to stuff South Carolina's running game and create blitz angles. Our offense will need to run clock all day and score efficiently inside the red zone. This is a big game for Boom Williams.
Alabama. Whatever chance we have in this game would be based on limiting Alabama's running game. Our offense and special teams can't afford any mistakes.
Vanderbilt. Don't allow Vandy to run the football effectively. Make their quarterback beat us if he can. We have to establish our own running game so that Vandy's defense cannot focus on Drew Barker.
Mississippi State. Stoops has never beaten Dan Mullen, because Mullen's teams are always more physical that Stoops' teams. This year, Stoops must turn that around. We must be the more physical team that day. We must score efficiently in the red zone at every opportunity. This Is 1 of a few games on our schedule where we are more experienced than the other team at most positions. Another big game for Boom.
Missouri. The Tigers have Drew Lock, and they have future pros on their defense. They always play tough on their home field. This game will be a battle of 2 talented young quarterbacks. To win, Kentucky's offensive line must give Drew Barker time to see his receivers and set himself in the pocket without taking a lot of big hits. Kentucky's defense cannot allow Mizzou to run the football effectively. Hopefully, Lock doesn't have enough playmakers.
Georgia. The Bulldogs have a powerful running game, but also an inexperienced quarterback. If our defense can keep Georgia from completely controlling the game with their rushing attack, we could keep it competitive into the 2nd half. Our offensive game plan - get the football into the hands of our playmakers, and hope they can make enough plays. Another big game for Boom.
Tennessee. Have to keep Joshua Dobbs in the pocket and pressure him. Don't let Dobbs get on the edge. Don't allow Jalen Hurd to gain more yards after first contact. Wrap him up. Kentucky must establish our own running game and avoid mistakes.
Austin Peay. See New Mexico State.
Louisville. Keep Lamar Jackson in the pocket and off the edge. Make Jackson throw from the pocket under pressure. Don't let Louisville move the chains on the ground. Kentucky's offensive line must give Barker time in the pocket to pick up receivers without taking many hard shots.
