A thread about Kentucky

[JW PRPcoach]

As sweet as it is to see UofL squirm - and maybe even get what they deserve - it bothers me that after the most successful season in recent history, the top 5 topics are all UofL related.

So: How much wildcat do you think we will see in the bowl game? With so much time to prepare, will GT have figured out to stop it? UofL did a much better job of stopping our run game than others; was that just better personnel or is the script to slow that down available now?

thoughts??

 

[Blue Decade]

It bothers me too.

 

[Blue Decade]

As I have said before, the most interesting things about the future of Kentucky football are the return in 2017 of 19 incumbent starters plus both kickers, the new office/practice/gym complex, and the verbal commitment from Danny Clark right at the key turning point of Stoops' current recruiting class. Clark's commitment, coming near the darkest point in the season, stabilized and reinvigorated this class. The new, state of the art practice facility has been a big factor in turning the class around.

 

[Section31Row4]

Well Kentucky isn't the only team that runs the WildCat. It's not some huge secret playbook that only a couple teams know. You can gameplan and practice for it, but everything rests on gap alignments and reads. If you defend one way, the RB hits the other way.

 

[ArtSmass]

As you know coach, the option is tough to prepare for when you have been prepping for more traditional offenses all year ... if you only have ONE week like most teams who play GT.

However, give a team several weeks -- like the lead-up to a bowl, and results are not as good for the Ramblin' Wreck.

This isn't just anecdotal. There's empirical evidence:
Johnson's teams average close to 8 wins a season while at GT (67%).
However, in 7 bowl appearances they've only won 2 (29%).

Further, their offensive output (points-wise) is quite a bit more anemic in the bowls than how they performed in regular season.

 

[mtn cat1]

PRPCoach. I would venture to say that Gran's game plan for the UL Game had as much to do with UL seeming success vs the Wildcat!!! I would never have believed that Johnson would have been as successful as he was!!!!!

 

[Mikey Likes It]

Sometimes you just gotta discuss the train wreck

 

[Teetim]

Most of the season teams knew what we were going to do and could not stop it. Louisville obviously committed to stopping the run and we threw all over them. And even with that, we ran for 230 yards on a team that was 6th in the country giving up an average of 99 yards/game. The Wildcat is all about allowing the OL to block and then the RB reads... I don't know much about GT's DL, but I like our OL against anybody at this point.

I hope we can chew clock and keep their difficult to defend offense off the field.

 

[football follies]

How good is the GT secondary?

 

[mtn cat1]

Not good enough to control UK!!!!!

 

[WildCard]

Well, an actual football thread. Thank you PRPcoach!

Quite frankly, the UK WildCat package really looked like a grade school "QB keep" offense. That is to say, pretty simple. Furthermore, it was used with great regularity as a common part of the overall offense and not just a "different look" or situational package.

I think the biggest thing UofL did against the WildCat sets was simply acknowledge that the offense was limited from this set and basically play it from the snap as a "likely QB run between the tackles". That is to say with a RB taking the direct snap there are simply "fewer offensive options" for him than a true QB taking the snap. And that includes basic QB ball handling as well as passing.

I am fairly sure other defensive coaches recognized the complete lack of play diversity in the WildCat sets. Given the one dimensional nature of the offense in this set I am surprised it proved as effective as it did. The fact that it worked so well for UK over the course of the season seems to be a testament to the O-line play and hard running between the tackles.

Like any close game there are numerous plays you can rightly call "the play of the game" but from a game long perspective I think the biggest factor was UofL's inability to pressure Johnson thus setting the table for a HUGE day passing the ball. JMO

Peace

 

[Beatle Bum]

Well, an actual football thread. Thank you PRPcoach!

Quite frankly, the UK WildCat package really looked like a grade school "QB keep" offense. That is to say, pretty simple. Furthermore, it was used with great regularity as a common part of the overall offense and not just a "different look" or situational package.

I think the biggest thing UofL did against the WildCat sets was simply acknowledge that the offense was limited from this set and basically play it from the snap as a "likely QB run between the tackles". That is to say with a RB taking the direct snap there are simply "fewer offensive options" for him than a true QB taking the snap. And that includes basic QB ball handling as well as passing.

I am fairly sure other defensive coaches recognized the complete lack of play diversity in the WildCat sets. Given the one dimensional nature of the offense in this set I am surprised it proved as effective as it did. The fact that it worked so well for UK over the course of the season seems to be a testament to the O-line play and hard running between the tackles.

Like any close game there are numerous plays you can rightly call "the play of the game" but from a game long perspective I think the biggest factor was UofL's inability to pressure Johnson thus setting the table for a HUGE day passing the ball. JMO

Peace

Stealing a football opponent's plays is also a football thread.

 

[Blue Decade]

Most of the season teams knew what we were going to do and could not stop it. Louisville obviously committed to stopping the run and we threw all over them. And even with that, we ran for 230 yards on a team that was 6th in the country giving up an average of 99 yards/game. The Wildcat is all about allowing the OL to block and then the RB reads... I don't know much about GT's DL, but I like our OL against anybody at this point.

I hope we can chew clock and keep their difficult to defend offense off the field.

Agree. We were able to run the football effectively against Louisville's defense because Gran's game plan and Steve Johnson's early passing success over the top forced Grantham to back his safeties away from the box. Gran out-thought and out-planned Grantham. It's not like Kentucky was the best offense Louisville saw. But Kentucky may have been the best prepared team Louisville saw.

 

[carl]

Looks like the Cardinals prepared for the wildcat like it was a middle school play. I.e. Simple. Unfortunately, for the clearly more intellectually gifted staff they allowed over 40 points despite their nationally ranked defense. This type of preparation allowed the 27 point underdogs to win. I can't imagine how much worse they would have beaten those smart guys if they had made their offensive sets more complicated.

 

[willievic]

Isn't this site big enough for the BS about Crooked Louisville,as well as the thoughts on UK's Bowl game, the past season, future season, players returning next year, red shirts, recruits etc.? I think it is, and no one makes anyone read something they don't want to. Lighten up guys, it informative about a lot of things, and fun to read some of the BS.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[NCukcat62]

I'm not really worried about our offense. We have done good pretty much all season. Our defense I am worried about just because the triple option is dangerous. The good thing for us is that we have several weeks to prepare for it.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

As I have said before, the most interesting things about the future of Kentucky football are the return in 2017 of 19 incumbent starters plus both kickers, the new office/practice/gym complex, and the verbal commitment from Danny Clark right at the key turning point of Stoops' current recruiting class. Clark's commitment, coming near the darkest point in the season, stabilized and reinvigorated this class. The new, state of the art practice facility has been a big factor in turning the class around.

You reference getting both kickers back. One helped save our season and he'll be a huge asset. Our punter was the worst punter I've ever seen. Stoops certainly quieted a lot of doubters (myself included) but why he continued to let that kid punt is beyond me. Having him back is not beneficial if he keeps his job.

 

[Blue Decade]

You reference getting both kickers back. One helped save our season and he'll be a huge asset. Our punter was the worst punter I've ever seen. Stoops certainly quieted a lot of doubters (myself included) but why he continued to let that kid punt is beyond me. Having him back is not beneficial if he keeps his job.

Okay. I don't care what you think about McKinness, but you have completely missed the point of my post .

 

[KyCatFan1]

It is hard to talk about a game for a month and that leads to stories like the UL/Wake Forest playbook scandal making big news. As the game gets closer the discussions about the Georgia Tech game will pick up.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

Okay. I don't care what you think about McKinness, but you have completely missed the point of my post .

Nope, didn't miss your point at all. I didn't say that UK wasn't heading in the right direction or the future wasn't bright. I went so far as to say it looks like I was wrong about CMS. That was an open statement saying that I may have very well been wrong by doubting Stoops and this team. You said we returned the majority of our incumbent starters "AND BOTH KICKERS". Our punting game was worse than a mediocre high school punting team and I simply stated the truth. No need to get defensive at all. You made a good point.... things are looking up for UK football. I got your point. I simply stated a fact that we'd be much better served if one of our returning incumbent starting kickers doesn't remain a starter next year. Reason being- he is a very poor punter.

 

[jauk11]

Nope, didn't miss your point at all. I didn't say that UK wasn't heading in the right direction or the future wasn't bright. I went so far as to say it looks like I was wrong about CMS. That was an open statement saying that I may have very well been wrong by doubting Stoops and this team. You said we returned the majority of our incumbent starters "AND BOTH KICKERS". Our punting game was worse than a mediocre high school punting team and I simply stated the truth. No need to get defensive at all. You made a good point.... things are looking up for UK football. I got your point. I simply stated a fact that we'd be much better served if one of our returning incumbent starting kickers doesn't remain a starter next year. Reason being- he is a very poor punter.

Well yeah, but you have to admit he didn't say all starters were great, just that they were returning. In most cases that means they should be better with another years growth and experience.

By the way, he may not be a great kicker, but apparently the coaches think he is the best we have right now, and he probably is better than you.

 

[stinger78]

As you know coach, the option is tough to prepare for when you have been prepping for more traditional offenses all year ... if you only have ONE week like most teams who play GT.

However, give a team several weeks -- like the lead-up to a bowl, and results are not as good for the Ramblin' Wreck.

This isn't just anecdotal. There's empirical evidence:
Johnson's teams average close to 8 wins a season while at GT (67%).
However, in 7 bowl appearances they've only won 2 (29%).

Further, their offensive output (points-wise) is quite a bit more anemic in the bowls than how they performed in regular season.

It's a double whammy for us. The holiday layoff tends to hurt our precision timing and the extra practice tends to help opposing D's grasp different gap responsibilities. It's a very real issue for us and is why I'm not at all confident for this game. That said, we've won 2 of our last 3 bowl games (2012-14) with the only loss to an up and coming Ole Miss, who had a pretty stout front 7 that year (2013). Wins were over USC (2012) and MSU (2014). No bowl last season.

 

[stinger78]

How good is the GT secondary?

Our DB's are pretty good. The problem has been a lack of penetration by our front 7. We stared blitzing more after the UNC game and their productivity improved. Typically, we have played a bend, don't break D that lengthens drives and reduces possessions. This intended to play to the strength of our O, but teams started scoring too fast on us (Pitt, Dook, UNC), thus the change. It helped.

Really, though, here are the scores against our D:
W - BC - 14
W - Mercer - 10
W - Vandy - 7

L - CU - 26 (their D shut us down, our D shut them down 2nd half)
L - Miami - 21 (two early fumble 6's added 14 more for 35 total)
L - Pitt - 37 (last second FG to win)
W - GA Sou - 24
W - Dook - 35 (their D couldn't stop us)
L - UNCheat - 48

W - VPI - 20
W - UVA - 17
W - UGA - 27

When you're scoring 28 PPG, you can't be giving up over 30 points. Dook was the only game where we gave up more than 27 points and won. They just couldn't stop our O. Conversely, Clemson was the only game where we gave up less than 27 points and lost. Their D just shut us down offensively. So the number 27 is a pretty significant number for us this year.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

Well yeah, but you have to admit he didn't say all starters were great, just that they were returning. In most cases that means they should be better with another years growth and experience.

By the way, he may not be a great kicker, but apparently the coaches think he is the best we have right now, and he probably is better than you.

Dang Jauk, you usually post well. Sorry you missed on this one. I never intended to ruffle anyone's feathers. I pretty much agreed with the OP except for the kicker comment. If he said we return a lot of starters and left it at that I would have totally agreed. But he made the comment and I made mine. Our punter was worse than bad all year. Not like he had one bad game. Field position means a lot and his pop warner kicks gave our opponents great field position all year. And yes he's probably better than me which has absolutely nothing to do with my post. PEACE.

 

[Oldtrainer_rivals]

Wildcat was greatly aided by a ever improving physical o.line! I'll take Gran versus 3rd and Grantham ever time CATS & cards play!

 

[railroadkat_1]

Wildcat was greatly aided by a ever improving physical o.line! I'll take Gran versus 3rd and Grantham ever time CATS & cards play!

Since you mentioned the O line, I have a Question. I know Jon Tooth has expired his eligibility but what about Cole Mosier? I know he walked on and redshirted but is he coming back? Thank you

 

[Oldtrainer_rivals]

Since you mentioned the O line, I have a Question. I know Jon Tooth has expired his eligibility but what about Cole Mosier? I know he walked on and redshirted but is he coming back? Thank you

Far as I know Cole will return. Only non senior that opt not to come back is Ramsey Meyers.

 

[cathouse_rivals216755]

Well, an actual football thread. Thank you PRPcoach!

Quite frankly, the UK WildCat package really looked like a grade school "QB keep" offense. That is to say, pretty simple. Furthermore, it was used with great regularity as a common part of the overall offense and not just a "different look" or situational package.

I think the biggest thing UofL did against the WildCat sets was simply acknowledge that the offense was limited from this set and basically play it from the snap as a "likely QB run between the tackles". That is to say with a RB taking the direct snap there are simply "fewer offensive options" for him than a true QB taking the snap. And that includes basic QB ball handling as well as passing.

I am fairly sure other defensive coaches recognized the complete lack of play diversity in the WildCat sets. Given the one dimensional nature of the offense in this set I am surprised it proved as effective as it did. The fact that it worked so well for UK over the course of the season seems to be a testament to the O-line play and hard running between the tackles.

Like any close game there are numerous plays you can rightly call "the play of the game" but from a game long perspective I think the biggest factor was UofL's inability to pressure Johnson thus setting the table for a HUGE day passing the ball. JMO

Peace

WildCard you obviously watched the UL-UK game with your typically rose colored glasses.....pun intended. I just watched the game again (fun to watch the pain of Old Bobby P and the UL faithful such as yourself). You must have missed several of the plays out of the Wildcat formation that totally caught your genius coaching staff off guard and totally unprepared. Maybe someone should have sent them our game plan. There was a throwback to the QB, a rreverse to the wide receiver, a down field homerun pass attempt from the RB, a wide receiver jet sweep, a run to the wide side for a TD, and several other plays out of the Wildcat that your top ranked defense could not contain. The reality is KY coaches and players out coached and out played your over ranked team in all 3 phases of the game, got multiple bad calls from the inept SEC refs, and still beat your team on their home field. Your constant disrespectful comments about UK and our coaches just proves you are all in as a Card fan, and that is OK. Just please take the Wild out of your name and go by CardCard and then we can better accept your continued disrespectful comments about UK.
Oh yeah. Peace.

 

[CardsKepin]

And you all call UofL fans obsessed

 

[cathouse_rivals216755]

And you all call UofL fans obsessed

Nope. Not obsessed. Just tired of UL fans coming to the UK board (now tell me again who is obsessed with whom?) and acting all neutral and then trashing our team with subtle jabs and biased opinions about our coaches and players. Just own up to who you are and root for your team and we will root for ours.

 

[SanAntonioCat_rivals376502]

Nope, didn't miss your point at all. I didn't say that UK wasn't heading in the right direction or the future wasn't bright. I went so far as to say it looks like I was wrong about CMS. That was an open statement saying that I may have very well been wrong by doubting Stoops and this team. You said we returned the majority of our incumbent starters "AND BOTH KICKERS". Our punting game was worse than a mediocre high school punting team and I simply stated the truth. No need to get defensive at all. You made a good point.... things are looking up for UK football. I got your point. I simply stated a fact that we'd be much better served if one of our returning incumbent starting kickers doesn't remain a starter next year. Reason being- he is a very poor punter.

The kicker apparently boomed punts in practice. That he had issues in games stems from a mental block. The young man is a fine punter. He simply needs to relax and do what he does best. That will likely come from maturity.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

The kicker apparently boomed punts in practice. That he had issues in games stems from a mental block. The young man is a fine punter. He simply needs to relax and do what he does best. That will likely come from maturity.

I hope so but he was bad in games. I truly hope he's better next year. We'll see.