Cats Need to End the Dirtybird Streak.period.

cardkilla_rivals379685

All-Conference
May 10, 2002
2,076
1,695
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We simply cannot allow UL to have a 7,8,9,10 game winning streak against us. Have got to take back this series. We may not have much of a chance but the Houston game gives me hope. Cards seem vulnerable to the run, which is a deadly against us. Noon start time can only help. When they play focused and determined, can play with just about anyone. When they are not, you get the first quarter against AP.

Can we get to Jackson? You think the staff is going to emulate some of what Houston did?
 
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School boy

All-Conference
Oct 29, 2007
5,506
3,865
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It's the biggest game in Mark Stoops career.

This is the game I will know if he's the right man or not.
 

UKErik

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
27,441
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UK isn't athletic enough to replicate what Houston's front seven did. Kentucky isn't going to get to Jackson as quickly as the Cougars did. With that being said, I think Stoops has to try...blitz WAY more often than usual, show Jackson some new stuff, and hope the Cards passing game is off. When you gameplan, you generally try to competently defend everything. IMO, Stoops has to sell out against the run game/read option. Take some risks that he typically wouldn't take. Other thoughts;

*Just one game left to prove they can go 60 minutes without constantly shooting themselves in the foot. Yesterday's first half was marred with mistakes on both sides. Will this team ever play a mostly clean game?

*Kentucky has to run the ball like they did at Tennessee, but they need to finish drives with PAT's, not FGA's. If there's a 4th and goal at the two early in the game, go for it! Stoops has to be as aggressive as he's ever been with game management. If he goes with "by-the-book", UK will lose.

*Force U of L into pressure situations on 3rd down. UK failed MISERABLY at this in Knoxville. Dobbs just GASHED UK on 1st/2nd down. UT played "downhill" all day offensively. If U of L is constantly in 2nd/3rd and short, UK will get plowed over.

*U of L has struggled a number of times against mediocre competition. Duke and Virginia are 4-7 and 2-9 respectively. Both had U of L on the ropes late in the 4th quarter (especially the 2-9 Cavs). Wake Forest hung with the Cards until the 4th quarter. UK is every bit as good as those teams from a talent perspective.

*For those hoping that U of L will come out flat, maybe they will. They did last year. UK "should" have won at U of L in 2014. UK had a golden opportunity last year. It isn't as if U of L's starting lineup is packed with 4-5 star talent. UK has a shot...but not if they spend most of the say cutting their own throats.

GBB!!!
 

jauk11

Heisman
Dec 6, 2006
60,631
18,638
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UK isn't athletic enough to replicate what Houston's front seven did. Kentucky isn't going to get to Jackson as quickly as the Cougars did. With that being said, I think Stoops has to try...blitz WAY more often than usual, show Jackson some new stuff, and hope the Cards passing game is off. When you gameplan, you generally try to competently defend everything. IMO, Stoops has to sell out against the run game/read option. Take some risks that he typically wouldn't take. Other thoughts;

*Just one game left to prove they can go 60 minutes without constantly shooting themselves in the foot. Yesterday's first half was marred with mistakes on both sides. Will this team ever play a mostly clean game?

*Kentucky has to run the ball like they did at Tennessee, but they need to finish drives with PAT's, not FGA's. If there's a 4th and goal at the two early in the game, go for it! Stoops has to be as aggressive as he's ever been with game management. If he goes with "by-the-book", UK will lose.

*Force U of L into pressure situations on 3rd down. UK failed MISERABLY at this in Knoxville. Dobbs just GASHED UK on 1st/2nd down. UT played "downhill" all day offensively. If U of L is constantly in 2nd/3rd and short, UK will get plowed over.

*U of L has struggled a number of times against mediocre competition. Duke and Virginia are 4-7 and 2-9 respectively. Both had U of L on the ropes late in the 4th quarter (especially the 2-9 Cavs). Wake Forest hung with the Cards until the 4th quarter. UK is every bit as good as those teams from a talent perspective.

*For those hoping that U of L will come out flat, maybe they will. They did last year. UK "should" have won at U of L in 2014. UK had a golden opportunity last year. It isn't as if U of L's starting lineup is packed with 4-5 star talent. UK has a shot...but not if they spend most of the say cutting their own throats.

GBB!!!

What you said.

But taking risks and gambles often make things worse, even though as you said they are probably necessary in this game. I expect them to be very up for this game, I hope our guys realize it and match it.

I agree with the OP, UK can't allow them to win 7 in a row, fortunately this would be 6 IF they do win it, but the odds are that they will win it IMO. Doesn't mean we can't beat them this year, but we can't let them win the 7th in a row next year and I don't think they will. I don't think many experts or recruits expect us to beat them this year, what a bonus that would be though.
 
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ukfan03

Senior
Mar 31, 2007
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The only way UK has a chance is by running the ball and keeping it out of Jacksons hands. If they can't successfully do that then it's going to be a long game.
 
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K_TIME

Heisman
Jan 2, 2003
18,153
25,101
113
To be honest...UK/Stoops has needed to stop the UF and UT streaks of losses and bad performances as much as UL....and they've been crapping the bed with awful performances in those series.

But UK's only chance to win is control the ball with the rushing game (which we can do) and I have no idea how UK keeps UL in the 20's or lower....but we have to take away Lamar Jackson on read option game. I am still dumbfounded by how many times last year UK completely left Jackson uncovered on read option...but let's see what Stoops can put together scheme-wise. Now that Gran has offensive side of ball in place...Stoops can put his defensive fingerprint on this game...but he hasn't done that to date at UK...let's see what he can do Saturday.
 

bluekid

Freshman
Nov 27, 2015
111
82
0
Force the very avg Thrower in Jackson to beat you with arm. If he turns into superman with his feet, no shot. Johnson a better pure passer than Jackson. There, I said it. They have the better QB and coaches. In my mind, we are better everywhere else. I promise you this will be no more than a 1 score game
 

Burly

All-American
Sep 3, 2002
16,927
8,394
113
LOL we just let the Peay rack up yards....we have no chance against a competent offense who can run and pass. Louisville will destroy us. They score on every possession in first half
 

katwest

Heisman
Feb 16, 2003
39,207
12,736
113
This team has proven they can play with them for a half, now we have to finish the job, make him beat us passing the ball.
 

bluekid

Freshman
Nov 27, 2015
111
82
0
This is a mid level SEC team at best. They have proven they are not Alabama, they aren't as good as Fla, LSU, Auburn. Tenn or even GA. Rankings may say so. Just take Jackson off the team and they are a 5-7, 4-8 team with losses to Duke, WF, VA.

If we can have success running the ball, we will win. Both teams should and likely have similar game plans. Force the other QB to throw. Game may not be as high scoring as it will look on paper.
 

red rage 2016

Sophomore
Oct 26, 2016
432
116
0
This is a mid level SEC team at best. They have proven they are not Alabama, they aren't as good as Fla, LSU, Auburn. Tenn or even GA. Rankings may say so. Just take Jackson off the team and they are a 5-7, 4-8 team with losses to Duke, WF, VA.

If we can have success running the ball, we will win. Both teams should and likely have similar game plans. Force the other QB to throw. Game may not be as high scoring as it will look on paper.

I think you are wrong and that Louisville could play with any of those teams. Heck most on that list have trouble scoring so I think Louisville could at least out score most.
 

ala_kat2

All-American
Jan 4, 2003
10,518
9,614
103
Good points by all. However, we do not have a defensive line that can tackle or pass rush. And we are slow.
That puts extra pressure on the LBs and secondary DBs, who if they cheat to try and stop Jackson's running, they will get burned by the pass. Jackson has improved a lot with his passing, especiall when he has all day to pick out receivers. The only chance we have is to eat clock with our running game and score 40 points at least.
 
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Randy Bob

All-Conference
Jun 14, 2009
7,203
3,917
113
It would be sweet if Ky could go in and beat the Ville, but I do not see it happening ..
 

Tannerdad

Heisman
Mar 30, 2002
52,157
53,957
48
They will score 50 on this defense. Petrino will have them spitting fire after the Houston debacke.

We will score on them but if anyone thinks our defense can stop them, then they haven't been paying attention .

This is strictly a moral victory game. Try not to get embarrassed and fight like hell the whole game, imo.
 

HiStepper

All-Conference
Aug 1, 2001
4,435
1,841
113
The Houston game made for a short week of preparation. U of L will have longer to prepare for UK. The cats will need a passing game. Duke rushed for 110 yards but no team since Duke has rushed for more than 84 yds (VA).
 

cardkilla_rivals379685

All-Conference
May 10, 2002
2,076
1,695
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If UK is able to run on just about anyone in the SEC, we can run on UL. They haven't played a team with the RB's we have.

To win IMO we have to:
- control the clock, need huge disparity in time of possession
- to control clock, need to put together some long, methodical drives. While scoring is the goal, doing it in 2 minutes is not.
- limit runs on first down
- get off field on 3rd down 60% of time
- win TO battle

Do those things and I believe Cats come out winners.
 

oboroCATfan

All-Conference
Sep 17, 2003
4,229
1,768
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I think the cats should play aggressively on defense but I would bet you will see soft coverage all day and our LBs will try and keep Jackson in the pocket. The end result is we get pounded with the run and Jackson completes about 20 passes for 7 or 8 yards a piece and Stoops is content losing by 24.
 

UKWildcats#8

All-American
Jun 25, 2011
30,327
9,337
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Well it won't end this year OP. I hope I am wrong. We will score some points but they will score even more.
 

sluggercatfan

Heisman
Aug 17, 2004
35,953
29,631
0
We simply cannot allow UL to have a 7,8,9,10 game winning streak against us. Have got to take back this series. We may not have much of a chance but the Houston game gives me hope. Cards seem vulnerable to the run, which is a deadly against us. Noon start time can only help. When they play focused and determined, can play with just about anyone. When they are not, you get the first quarter against AP.

Can we get to Jackson? You think the staff is going to emulate some of what Houston did?
So you honestly think we are as good as Houston... Gives us their front d line and DC then we can talk!
 

sluggercatfan

Heisman
Aug 17, 2004
35,953
29,631
0
The only way UK has a chance is by running the ball and keeping it out of Jacksons eyhands. If they can't successfully do that then it's going to be a long game.
If they fumble 6-7 times with 3-4 ints and we can score TDs instead of kicking fgs like Erik said we may keep it close.
 
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sluggercatfan

Heisman
Aug 17, 2004
35,953
29,631
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This is a mid level SEC team at best. They have proven they are not Alabama, they aren't as good as Fla, LSU, Auburn. Tenn or even GA. Rankings may say so. Just take Jackson off the team and they are a 5-7, 4-8 team with losses to Duke, WF, VA.
For
If we can have success running the ball, we will win. Both teams should and likely have similar game plans. Force the other QB to throw. Game may not be as high scoring as it will look on paper.
Ran for 450 against filthy orange and lost by two Tds