Breaking down the Cats and Dores

[UKErik]

Cold weather. Dreary skies. Pissed off football fans. It must be time for the annual Kentucky/Vanderbilt football game (LOL). Kentucky and Vandy actually played in September last season (a UK win in Lexington). It's back to November this year. Vanderbilt's '15 team has extended one of the more remarkable streaks in all of sports. The Commodores last won a conference championship 92 years ago (and no, the SEC wasn't even in existence yet), about four years after the end of World War ONE! Kentucky's last SEC title came in 1977. Both teams are still alive for bowl eligibility, but Vandy's path to the postseason isn't a viable one. If Kentucky loses this weekend, their path becomes much more difficult. For Mark Stoops, this is as important a game as he's coached in his time at UK. The Cats have struggled mightily, losing four straight while becoming less and less competitive each time out. Stoops said he felt his team didn't believe they could win last week. His quarterback wrote RELAX on the back of one of his hands. Yeah, UK is a mini-train wreck (or a full on train wreck if you prefer). Nothing cures "football train wreck" more than winning. UK badly needs a "W" this weekend.

Line: Kentucky +3

Series: Kentucky leads 42-41-4
Through 1945: Vandy led 19-1-2
Since 1946: UK leads 41-22-2

Game time/Television: 4 eastern/SEC Network

Kentucky offense vs. Vanderbilt defense: Advantage Vanderbilt
It's been a difficult season for the 'Dores, but their defense has played pretty well. VU held their last three SEC opponents (South Carolina, Florida, and Missouri) to a combined two offensive touchdowns. Vandy also played Houston during that time period, allowing nearly 400 yards and three offensive touchdowns. The one area Vandy looked REALLY good last week was their d-front against the Florida offensive line. The Gators averaged less than 3 yards per carry (34 attempts) while totaling just 258 total yards. VU is averaging over six TFL per game (six last week vs. Florida). How UK's porous OL keeps the Vandy d-front out of the o-backfield is anyone's guess. The UK offense is mostly dysfunctional at this point. The UK QB situation is up in the air (though most think Stoops and staff will go with Towles). Really though, Kentucky's problems on "O" are just unbelievably wide spread. Inconsistent QB play (more poor than inconsistent of late). Poor play at WR. A non-existent running game. What might be the worst offensive line among P5 schools. It's been a nightmare, and now UK gets what has been one of the best defenses in the SEC. In fact, VU ranks 12th nationally in scoring defense. Bottom line, based on how units have looked recently, there's little reason for optimism if you're a UK fan. EVEN IF Kentucky cleans up a couple of areas (like QB and WR play for example), the o-line is putrid. Last week, for some insane reason, UK decided to run the football on 2nd and long much more often than not. Not stunningly, that led to a lot of 3rd and longs. Will Dawson do the same thing this week?

Kentucky defense vs. Vanderbilt offense: Slight advantage Kentucky
It feels slightly ridiculous giving this defense even a slight advantage over anyone. Last weeks 1st half performance at Georgia gives me hope that this unit has at least something left in the tank. Certainly, this will be the worst offensive unit UK has played. Vandy has scored 133 points this SEASON. Only Missouri has scored fewer (132). They've scored just two touchdowns in their last four games. Two of those opponents, South Carolin and Houston, don't exactly field "Steel Curtain" defenses. QB Johnny McCrary has been absolutely awful throwing the football (12 INT's, 6 TD's, 54.8%). BUT, he's a decent athlete that likes to run the ball on occasion (63-169). RB Ralph Webb is closing in on a 1000 yard season. UK did a good job against him last year. Because the Vandy OL is pretty similar to Kentucky's (mostly awful), it's been difficult for Vanderbilt to put together long drives. This week, DJ Eliot has two tasks. One, don't be the team to let McCrary get loose. And two, keep pressure on the Vandy o-front. It's a very poor o-front, so getting into the o-backfield is something that should happen early and often.

Special Teams : Advantage Vanderbilt
I say Vanderbilt only because UK's special teams are a complete and total disaster. Every week now, UK makes a HUGE error (or more). Last week, Timmons fumbled a punt. UK's special teams is the gift that just keeps on giving to SEC opponents.

Kentucky will win if...they score 17 points. Defensively, just do what everyone has done to Vanderbilt. Against I-A opponents (including MTSU and WKU), the most VU has scored this season is 17.

Vanderbilt will win if...they score 17 points. The best overall unit on the field will be the Vandy defense. Just control the UK o-front and keep Boom Williams in check, and the 'Dores would probably be just fine.

Most important thing for Kentucky...make plays when plays are there to be made. Sounds simple. Most teams do just that. Not UK. Drops. Poor throws. You name it, and this unit has screwed it up. UK needs a big day from Boom Williams.

Prediction: Kentucky 17 Vanderbilt 10...This game is the epitome of a toss up. In all honesty, the team that screws up the least will probably win. There's no real reason to pick UK or Vandy, though you could probably make a better case for VU due to their defense. UK has better offensive skill people by a significant margin this week. Hopefully, UK hits a couple of big plays and avoids the weekly special teams meltdown.

Previous Picks
Kentucky 55 Louisiana 10 (UK 40-30)
Kentucky 34 S Carolina 31 (UK 26-22)
Kentucky 27 Florida 23 (UF 14-9)
Kentucky 24 Missouri 17 (UK 21-13)
Kentucky 48 EKU 10 (UK 34-27)
Kentucky 31 Auburn 24 (AU 30-27)
Miss St 38 Kentucky 31 (MSU 42-16)
Tennessee 38 Kentucky 37 (UT 52-21)
Georgia 27 Kentucky 17 (UGA 27-3)

GBB!!!

 

[Nuke99m.]

Vols?

 

[UKErik]

LOLOLOLOLOLOL

GBB!!!

 

[frost1]

thanks Erik. I see Uk winning if they hold vandy to 10 or less points. Their defense is for real. their offense Pathetic, So Far.

 

[Nuke99m.]

I have the fear that our defense will make their offense look better than it is. I think they score 21 to 24 pts. We need 24 or better to win IMHO.

 

[sluggercatfan]

thanks Erik. I see Uk winning if they hold vandy to 10 or less points. Their defense is for real. their offense Pathetic, So Far.

Sorry... watched Vandy and Florida last night and have zero faith that this team can score 10 points against defense... I think Vandy wins 14-6

 

[docholiday51]

Nice write up without much to work with,there is not a whole lot to say about either team (you have to be fairly creative to find enough good stuff about both teams to support a win)

UK's best offense may be Westry or somebody running back an interception.I think Elam has a chance to come up big in this one(odd choice of words)he can plug the middle,occupy 2 blockers and allow LB's to run a bit more free

If we can throw the ball downfield 10 or 15 yards and get Baker,Conrad or Johnson running in space I think we could do some damage

The team that scores first will probably win the game.

 

[ukgrad2004]

All week I have been wanting to predict 13-10 Cats but if I had to lay money down I would say 21-10 Vandy. I would love to be wrong. I would dance in the streets of Nashville.

 

[maysvilleky]

If the locker room is not a total dumpster fire, I can see UK's players believing they can win this game. Therefore I predict the offense will be a little more efficient than the last few weeks and hits a few big plays. I'm going to optimistically predict UK 21 Vandy 14.

 

[cat888]

Good write up Erik. Stoops is the first head Coach in the last 50 years except maybe Mumme to take advantage of his past connections to bring in Recruits so I like that part of what he is doing . I am no Coach but it seems on Offense they recruit and practice air raid and then play conservative and it bring a lot of confusion.. As I said I like Stoops and think he should be give every opportunity to succeed.. We should always have a assistant Coach with strong connections and preferable from Ohio and Tennessee.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Cold weather. Dreary skies. Pissed off football fans. It must be time for the annual Kentucky/Vanderbilt football game (LOL). Kentucky and Vandy actually played in September last season (a UK win in Lexington). It's back to November this year. Vanderbilt's '15 team has extended one of the more remarkable streaks in all of sports. The Commodores last won a conference championship 92 years ago (and no, the SEC wasn't even in existence yet), about four years after the end of World War ONE! Kentucky's last SEC title came in 1977. Both teams are still alive for bowl eligibility, but Vandy's path to the postseason isn't a viable one. If Kentucky loses this weekend, their path becomes much more difficult. For Mark Stoops, this is as important a game as he's coached in his time at UK. The Cats have struggled mightily, losing four straight while becoming less and less competitive each time out. Stoops said he felt his team didn't believe they could win last week. His quarterback wrote RELAX on the back of one of his hands. Yeah, UK is a mini-train wreck (or a full on train wreck if you prefer). Nothing cures "football train wreck" more than winning. UK badly needs a "W" this weekend.

Line: Kentucky +3

Series: Kentucky leads 42-41-4
Through 1945: Vandy led 19-1-2
Since 1946: UK leads 41-22-2

Game time/Television: 4 eastern/SEC Network

Kentucky offense vs. Vanderbilt defense: Advantage Vanderbilt
It's been a difficult season for the 'Dores, but their defense has played pretty well. VU held their last three SEC opponents (South Carolina, Florida, and Missouri) to a combined two offensive touchdowns. Vandy also played Houston during that time period, allowing nearly 400 yards and three offensive touchdowns. The one area Vandy looked REALLY good last week was their d-front against the Florida offensive line. The Gators averaged less than 3 yards per carry (34 attempts) while totaling just 258 total yards. VU is averaging over six TFL per game (six last week vs. Florida). How UK's porous OL keeps the Vandy d-front out of the o-backfield is anyone's guess. The UK offense is mostly dysfunctional at this point. The UK QB situation is up in the air (though most think Stoops and staff will go with Towles). Really though, Kentucky's problems on "O" are just unbelievably wide spread. Inconsistent QB play (more poor than inconsistent of late). Poor play at WR. A non-existent running game. What might be the worst offensive line among P5 schools. It's been a nightmare, and now UK gets what has been one of the best defenses in the SEC. In fact, VU ranks 12th nationally in scoring defense. Bottom line, based on how units have looked recently, there's little reason for optimism if you're a UK fan. EVEN IF Kentucky cleans up a couple of areas (like QB and WR play for example), the o-line is putrid. Last week, for some insane reason, UK decided to run the football on 2nd and long much more often than not. Not stunningly, that led to a lot of 3rd and longs. Will Dawson do the same thing this week?

Kentucky defense vs. Vanderbilt offense: Slight advantage Kentucky
It feels slightly ridiculous giving this defense even a slight advantage over anyone. Last weeks 1st half performance at Georgia gives me hope that this unit has at least something left in the tank. Certainly, this will be the worst offensive unit UK has played. Vandy has scored 133 points this SEASON. Only Missouri has scored fewer (132). They've scored just two touchdowns in their last four games. Two of those opponents, South Carolin and Houston, don't exactly field "Steel Curtain" defenses. QB Johnny McCrary has been absolutely awful throwing the football (12 INT's, 6 TD's, 54.8%). BUT, he's a decent athlete that likes to run the ball on occasion (63-169). RB Ralph Webb is closing in on a 1000 yard season. UK did a good job against him last year. Because the Vandy OL is pretty similar to Kentucky's (mostly awful), it's been difficult for Vanderbilt to put together long drives. This week, DJ Eliot has two tasks. One, don't be the team to let McCrary get loose. And two, keep pressure on the Vandy o-front. It's a very poor o-front, so getting into the o-backfield is something that should happen early and often.

Special Teams : Advantage Vanderbilt
I say Vanderbilt only because UK's special teams are a complete and total disaster. Every week now, UK makes a HUGE error (or more). Last week, Timmons fumbled a punt. UK's special teams is the gift that just keeps on giving to SEC opponents.

Kentucky will win if...they score 17 points. Defensively, just do what everyone has done to Vanderbilt. Against I-A opponents (including MTSU and WKU), the most VU has scored this season is 17.

Vanderbilt will win if...they score 17 points. The best overall unit on the field will be the Vandy defense. Just control the UK o-front and keep Boom Williams in check, and the 'Dores would probably be just fine.

Most important thing for Kentucky...make plays when plays are there to be made. Sounds simple. Most teams do just that. Not UK. Drops. Poor throws. You name it, and this unit has screwed it up. UK needs a big day from Boom Williams.

Prediction: Kentucky 17 Vanderbilt 10...This game is the epitome of a toss up. In all honesty, the team that screws up the least will probably win. There's no real reason to pick UK or Vandy, though you could probably make a better case for VU due to their defense. UK has better offensive skill people by a significant margin this week. Hopefully, UK hits a couple of big plays and avoids the weekly special teams meltdown.

Previous Picks
Kentucky 55 Louisiana 10 (UK 40-30)
Kentucky 34 S Carolina 31 (UK 26-22)
Kentucky 27 Florida 23 (UF 14-9)
Kentucky 24 Missouri 17 (UK 21-13)
Kentucky 48 EKU 10 (UK 34-27)
Kentucky 31 Auburn 24 (AU 30-27)
Miss St 38 Kentucky 31 (MSU 42-16)
Tennessee 38 Kentucky 37 (UT 52-21)
Georgia 27 Kentucky 17 (UGA 27-3)

GBB!!!

You really do a good job every week of analyzing the game. But this week I think UK fans are a little down and I include you in this group and I think it shows here. I can't for the life of me understand how Vandy is giving 3 points. Their offense is awful, their qb is worse than ours and they just don't have the running game to cover any of that. Vandy could win the game, but like the TD they scored against UF it will take a busted coverage of some kind because I don't think they can drive the field against UK and score. The passing game is worse than bad, not only is their qb not very accurate, their receivers drop a lot of balls when he gets them in range. I just don't think they are capable of scoring very many points, or a TD. On the other hand, UK has the players that can score at anytime from anywhere on the field. Vandy has a good defensive front, their secondary is not bad but not as good as the front. With UK's playmakers all it takes is one play for Towles, or whoever the qb is, to have time to hit a wide open WR for a TD, he has done that quite a few times this year and I think 1 TD beats Vandy. UK could possibly blow the game open, Vandy has no chance of doing that unless they get multiple defensive scores.

 

[WildCard]

I simply cannot get my head around how a team that averages 10.8 PPG can be a 3 point favorite. In terms of total offense there is not much difference between #94 UK (364 YPG) and #119 Vandy (340 YPG) but the Cats average 21.9 PPG. Vandy's meager scoring must be due in great part to their propensity to tun the ball over (#118 in total lost).

I have not followed Vandy but when your offense is THAT bad it places ENORMOUS pressure on your defense and kicking teams; 1 mistake could be the difference in the game. If Boom is healthy he is the one guy for UK that will make you pay for a gap mistake or sloppy tackle. FWIW, I agree with Erik's score prediction. I see the Cats winning this one 17 (maybe 21) to 10 unless the Cats give Vandy some non-offensive TDs (NOTs).

I also agree this is the most important game in Stoops' short career. Ironically, a win (notwithstanding the bowl implication) won't really do much to move the needle forward but a loss would be a huge setback for the program. JMO.

Peace

 

[UKErik]

Grumpy, it's not that I'm down on the team. The overriding factor for me with this group has been the line play. UK's o-line isn't a good matchup against anyone, much less a very solid Vanderbilt d-front. UK's d-line hasn't been a whole lot better of late.

You're right about the Vandy offense. They've been woeful all season long. About a third of their entire point total came against Austin Peay. UK's defense doesn't even have to be very good to hold them in check.

I picked UK because the Cats have better o-skill players. Hopefully, they make a couple of big plays and escape with a "W".

GBB!!!

 

[CatsFanGG24]

I simply cannot get my head around how a team that averages 10.8 PPG can be a 3 point favorite. In terms of total offense there is not much difference between #94 UK (364 YPG) and #119 Vandy (340 YPG) but the Cats average 21.9 PPG. Vandy's meager scoring must be due in great part to their propensity to tun the ball over (#118 in total lost).

I have not followed Vandy but when your offense is THAT bad it places ENORMOUS pressure on your defense and kicking teams; 1 mistake could be the difference in the game. If Boom is healthy he is the one guy for UK that will make you pay for a gap mistake or sloppy tackle. FWIW, I agree with Erik's score prediction. I see the Cats winning this one 17 (maybe 21) to 10 unless the Cats give Vandy some non-offensive TDs (NOTs).

I also agree this is the most important game in Stoops' short career. Ironically, a win (notwithstanding the bowl implication) won't really do much to move the needle forward but a loss would be a huge setback for the program. JMO.

Peace

Agree with everything except for the win not moving the needle...a win basically cements us in a bowl, which is HUGE from where we were...fans will continue to show and it would set up a matchup between UL and UK, both being likely 6-5...the win could do a TON to ease tensions.

 

[CatDaddy4daWin]

This would be a perfect week for UK's special teams to do something special. Just once I'd like to see our kick or punt return guys DO SOMETHING. ANYTHING.

Maybe a pick six and a kickoff return for TD takes some of the pressure off this team.

I think your score is about right. Maybe 17-9 or 17-6.

 

[WildCard]

Agree with everything except for the win not moving the needle...a win basically cements us in a bowl, which is HUGE from where we were...fans will continue to show and it would set up a matchup between UL and UK, both being likely 6-5...the win could do a TON to ease tensions.

Well, I said "notwithstanding the bowl implication". My point about "not moving the needle" is that when you step back away from the immediate urgency of winning 6 games this year, it would be nothing more than a win over Vanderbilt, something which is expected every year. OTOH, a loss sets the table for what might be a VERY disappointing 3rd year.

Peace

 

[CatsFanGG24]

Well, I said "notwithstanding the bowl implication". My point about "not moving the needle" is that when you step back away from the immediate urgency of winning 6 games this year, it would be nothing more than a win over Vanderbilt, something which is expected every year. OTOH, a loss sets the table for what might be a VERY disappointing 3rd year.

Peace

But its all about the bowl implication...its all about coming out of a losing streak with a win.

If you put that same type of standard on your team, then your season for the Cards has been a complete failure...

UK has won 13 games the last 3 seasons + this year...every win (especially SEC win) is a needle mover.

 

[WildCard]

But its all about the bowl implication...its all about coming out of a losing streak with a win.

If you put that same type of standard on your team, then your season for the Cards has been a complete failure...

I hate to engage in one to one debates off of the thread topic [laughing] but....

Complete failure.? Hardly. At least not yet. Lose out. Yeah, that would be a complete failure. Sure, there is a lot of disappointment in the lack of offense which has made every game a nail biter but, if we measure overall expectations by point spreads the Cards are 1 game behind "expectations" (Houston). IIRC, the pre-season win O/U was 7.5, i.e., 7 or 8 wins. A win Saturday would be #6 with 2 tough, but winnable, road games left. Personally, I thought it would be a 7-5 year with an unlikely ceiling of 8 wins. Like everyone else I did not expect Houston to be that damn good.

Likewise, the pre-season win O/U on the Cats was 5.5 (5 or 6) and they are still very much on that schedule with a mortal lock win over Charlotte. (FWIW, there should be absolutely zero talk of UK losing that one under any conceivable circumstances.) And using that point spread argument the Cats are plus 1 with their win over USCjr.

The Cards have recovered from an 0-3, 1-4 start but are still pretty vulnerable due to the lack of offense. However, that recovery has put some positive mojo back in the fan base. Conversely, the Cats are trying to snap a 4 game losing streak AND reverse the negative mojo that has accompanied that streak. FWIW, I think the Cards stagger in to bowl eligibility this week and the Cats get within 1 win of that elusive 6 win season.

Peace

 

[CatsFanGG24]

I hate to engage in one to one debates off of the thread topic [laughing] but....

Complete failure.? Hardly. At least not yet. Lose out. Yeah, that would be a complete failure. Sure, there is a lot of disappointment in the lack of offense which has made every game a nail biter but, if we measure overall expectations by point spreads the Cards are 1 game behind "expectations" (Houston). IIRC, the pre-season win O/U was 7.5, i.e., 7 or 8 wins. A win Saturday would be #6 with 2 tough, but winnable, road games left. Personally, I thought it would be a 7-5 year with an unlikely ceiling of 8 wins. Like everyone else I did not expect Houston to be that damn good.

Likewise, the pre-season win O/U on the Cats was 5.5 (5 or 6) and they are still very much on that schedule with a mortal lock win over Charlotte. (FWIW, there should be absolutely zero talk of UK losing that one under any conceivable circumstances.) And using that point spread argument the Cats are plus 1 with their win over USCjr.

The Cards have recovered from an 0-3, 1-4 start but are still pretty vulnerable due to the lack of offense. However, that recovery has put some positive mojo back in the fan base. Conversely, the Cats are trying to snap a 4 game losing streak AND reverse the negative mojo that has accompanied that streak. FWIW, I think the Cards stagger in to bowl eligibility this week and the Cats get within 1 win of that elusive 6 win season.

Peace

But but but....you definitely haven't moved the needle at all in a positive way...no needle moving wins must be terribly disappointing...

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Grumpy, it's not that I'm down on the team. The overriding factor for me with this group has been the line play. UK's o-line isn't a good matchup against anyone, much less a very solid Vanderbilt d-front. UK's d-line hasn't been a whole lot better of late.

You're right about the Vandy offense. They've been woeful all season long. About a third of their entire point total came against Austin Peay. UK's defense doesn't even have to be very good to hold them in check.

I picked UK because the Cats have better o-skill players. Hopefully, they make a couple of big plays and escape with a "W".

GBB!!!

Looking back down was probably a bad choice of a words to use, frustrated might be better, but like you say it all goes back to the line play, OL especially. UK has enough offensive weapons to be a serious threat on that side of the ball. Sure Towles could be more consistent, but he is capable and is better than ours, Boom is a very good back, his backup is better than I thought. WR are capable of making big plays, I think most are the get deep kind of WR and the OL hurts them there. But they have to get better at making the catch. As frustrating as it is for them to feel open and Towles not get the ball to them, well that goes both ways, when the qb hits them and it falls to the ground makes him have doubts about giving him the ball again. I wish our qb had Towles ability, instead we have a statue who won't throw it more than 15 yards downfield and is as inconsistent or more so than Towles.

 

[Mojocat_rivals48469]

Lost in all the talk generated by the last 3 losses, at least for me, is how much worse this defense got without Lewis and Hatcher......

 

[WildCard]

But but but....you definitely haven't moved the needle at all in a positive way...no needle moving wins must be terribly disappointing...

This was not like 2007 when expectations were indeed high. Other than the optimistic fringe, "expectations" were not that much to begin with this year. Like the Cats, Cards are just trying to salvage a bowl game. Some years are like that. OK, I'm finished with our tete-a-tete. Cards' expectations are not what this thread is about.

Peace

 

[truebluewildcat_rivals34254]

Cats need to come out firing...

I think if they get up on Vandy early with a couple of scores then the game could be had...

Vandy does not have a productive offense, let alone one that can mount a comeback...

with the exception of their win against Austin Peay...they have not gotten above 17 points...

with that being said...an ugly game favors vandy...they took florida to the wire and got Mizzou in low scoring games...in games like those just one play is the difference, and vandy will be at home playing for another SEC victory...and it tends to be UK's luck to fart away close opportunities...

 

[docholiday51]

Lost in all the talk generated by the last 3 losses, at least for me, is how much worse this defense got without Lewis and Hatcher......

The defense sure looked different when they were out there,maybe Hatcher can go this week? I think there is enough still out there to keep us in the game with Vandy's offense. If the defense plays as well as it did in the UGA game and we take away the dropped punt and the bad decision/play call on 4th and 2 we might win 3-0.Vandy isn't likely to play a 'perfect' game or even come back with a game as good as they played at UF

 

[Kattopper]

Couldn't agree more its a toss up. We have been atrocious in all three phases of the game for a month. Vandy's offense is Billy Curry, Uzeleac bad. I could see Vandy getting a special teams score and/or a defensive TD. I don't think we move the ball against them regardless who is at QB. Hate to say it:

Vandy 10
UK 3
[sick]

 

[Mr Schwump]

UK's flat lined since Auburn and has shown no signs of being focused enough to the point of making enough plays to win a SEC football game. Vandy's O is terrible but has the good fortune this week of going against UK's porous D. UK desperately needs something good to happen but lacks the playmakers to impose their will on Vandy. This game may set college football back decades. 17-6 Vandy.

 

[TBCat]

I think we need to pump the breaks on the Vandy has a great defense part. We are giving them credit for shutting down teams that we pretty much shut down. I mean our defense played well against South Carolina, Florida and Missouri. Vandy played well against UGA and Ole Miss but did give up 30 points. They gave up 400 yards to Houston. The rest of their stout defensive performances were against Austin Peay, WKU and Middle Tenn. Vandy's point and yards total just against the teams we have in common is similar. Vandy's numbers against common opponents is a little better but not a lot better.

I think it's a bit ridiculous to do as some are which is calling them the best defensive team we'll face. From what I've seen Florida, UT, Miss State and UGA were all better defensive teams. Especially Florida. That's not even close.

Vandy has played well against bad offenses and decent against good ones. I would call Vandy a good defense but they hardly remind me of the steel curtain. Unless our offense continues to just fall on it's face I don't see where 21 points will be that difficult. The problem for us will be keeping our special teams play from giving up a couple easy TDs. I believe they will still hand Vandy a cheap score but we still win as long as the offense is even reasonably competent.
UK 27 Vandy 10.

 

[Ridgecat78]

I'll drink the Kool-Aid and put on the Big Blue tinted glasses. I thought that at some point this year the Cats would put it all together and explode offensively on SOMEONE. So far I have totally missed and the Cats "O" has looked anemic for most of the year.
This is the game that they take out all the frustrations.
We get one more step to bowl eligibility and put a spanking on Vandy.

Cats 38 Vandy 10

Go Cats!
[cheers]

 

[Glenn Fohr]

Could there be a rebirth of Towles in this game, much like his rebound from the Florida game with a superb effort against Missouri? Would love to see it but not going to hold my breath. Love my Cats though!!

 

[JasonS.]

Series: Kentucky leads 42-41-4

Yikes. I assume Vandy isn't .500 or better against any other team in the SEC ...

Well now we'd really better win.

 

[fromthe25ydline]

Vandy is at home and they will be a confident team on Saturday. The Dores will believe that they can win this weekend and that is a huge psychological advantage versus a struggling Kentucky football team. Look for some screens and swing passes to RBs from Vandy to help boost their QBs confidence. UK will have to make some big plays on both sides of the ball early in the game to shake their opponent's confidence. I'm guessing that between these two team's struggles, field position might be the difference. If UK can't pin Vandy back into their own territory with decen, timely punting, I don't like the Cats chances.

 

[Friedas_Boss]

Yikes. I assume Vandy isn't .500 or better against any other team in the SEC ...

Well now we'd really better win.

We actually have a winning record against Auburn believe it or not (won our last two against them).

Also, @UKErik - please note that Vandy has no special teams advantage over anybody. We lost last week's game due to a 12 yard punt and if it weren't for our punt coverage, I don't think Florida scores a single point. We are horrendous on special teams.

Our defense is legit and our offense is as bad as advertised.

This will be a disgusting football game to watch.

 

[Free_Salato_Blue]

UK 3 Vandy 2

 

[cat888]

Couldn't agree more its a toss up. We have been atrocious in all three phases of the game for a month. Vandy's offense is Billy Curry, Uzeleac bad. I could see Vandy getting a special teams score and/or a defensive TD. I don't think we move the ball against them regardless who is at QB. Hate to say it:

Vandy 10
UK 3
[sick]

Sounds like a game we had against Ind. about that time...LOL

 

[I am stupid]

UK-3 Vandy-0

In triple OT.

 

[KyDore]

I'll drink the Kool-Aid and put on the Big Blue tinted glasses. I thought that at some point this year the Cats would put it all together and explode offensively on SOMEONE. So far I have totally missed and the Cats "O" has looked anemic for most of the year.
This is the game that they take out all the frustrations.
We get one more step to bowl eligibility and put a spanking on Vandy.

Cats 38 Vandy 10

Go Cats!
[cheers]

I do think that Erik has been sharing the Kool-Aid with you as to UK's offensive prowess. And, if your vision is that UK will score 38 on Vandy then you may have spiced it up with a shot or two of Kentucky smooth. If so, then all the better.

Erik does a great job laying out good facts and providing great background and I don't want to be come across as overly critical because I am appreciative of the job that he does. But, as a good-natured ribbing, I'll mention that he has over-projected UK's scoring in 9 out of 9 games with a collective over-projection of 107 points for a whopping 11.89 per game over-exuberance.

That being said, I do think that the perfect imperfection streak could be resolved this week as 17 points is just ever-so-slightly more than I'd anticipate. I see UK scoring 13-20 points and Vandy possibly with just a couple more. If Erik can sport the blue-tint, then I'm entitled to a little gold-tint of my own. I'll make a very confident projection in saying that the sun will be shining and the Maker's will be flowing.

Best of luck and enjoy what should be a very hard fought game that both teams really want to win.

 

[mtn cat1]

LOLOLOLOLOLOL

GBB!!!

If Drew Barker does not see significant playing time, I can see UK failing to score in this game!!!! There is always that possibility that the defense or SP T could find a way to score some points however!!!!

 

[Chump Change X]

Vandy 10-3. Towles plays the whole game, because "He gave us the best chance to win".

 

[UKCatNnc]

Thanks UKErik. I wish things weren't so bleak. I just feel that the Cats will win. Go Cats!!

 

[BIGCAT4LIFE]

If UK ever gets the lead in this game. It will be shut down all systems, and protect the lead at all cost. Unless Vandy pushes the issue, scores a couple of TDs on O. I see this game coming down to special teams. T.O.P, field position, punts, and turnovers will be key in this game. Kentucky will have to play extremely disciplined in this game to get the W. I hope they show up, anything less, and it's a L.