Do you expect us expect us to beat Vanderbilt?
- Thread starter Wall2Boogie
- Start date
I think the boys might deliver a more convincing win than their last, and against a better opponent in my estimation.
Bottom line: My expectation every year for UK as our large State University is to beat the conference's small private school (VU) pretty handily; however, this year is unfortunately a coin flip game where line play will dictate who wins.
Coach Stoops' path forward: This is the second of several conference "elimination games" for Coach Stoops (also USC (win) and MSU & Mizzou later on the slate). If CMS' team loses any of these "winnable" conference games, he will likely not reach 6 wins. For many fans (myself included), a fourth year of sub-500 play is an indicator that change is in order (AD opinion is the only important one and he may get another year regardless).
Reliable Commodore D: Vandy's D line and entire defense for that matter is fairly solid, so I doubt UK can expect a lot of points out of the Big Blue offense (as was the case with NMSU).
Questions:
1. Can the UK O line function well enough to give the skill players time and space to execute. Will Gran be able to rely on the O line, or will they force him to limit his playcalling....become somewhat more predictable.
2. Will Vandy try big play, downfield strikes on offense to try and take a lead early on the road, OR are the more content to just keep it close by going with a conservative.... keep-it-on the ground...wear-them-down strategy of running the ball most of the game ....maybe break a couple nice runs in the 4th and perhaps draw more of the Big Blue D into the box....try to go over the top only once or twice.
3. How will UK's D respond? Will the D line actually fill gaps, make tackles and be the key in stopping the run.....Will the D line shed blocks and put some pressure on the VU QB?
Time will tell..that is why these coaches get paid the big bucks. Vandy's coach has his job on the line too, so I expect his players to also have some fire in the belly. Should be a good close game for the average observer....but too close for UK fans who expect to beat Vandy more often than not and by a fairly sizable score.
This year...home field is the difference for BBN. 14-13 UK wins.
GBB!
Coach Stoops' path forward: This is the second of several conference "elimination games" for Coach Stoops (also USC (win) and MSU & Mizzou later on the slate). If CMS' team loses any of these "winnable" conference games, he will likely not reach 6 wins. For many fans (myself included), a fourth year of sub-500 play is an indicator that change is in order (AD opinion is the only important one and he may get another year regardless).
Reliable Commodore D: Vandy's D line and entire defense for that matter is fairly solid, so I doubt UK can expect a lot of points out of the Big Blue offense (as was the case with NMSU).
Questions:
1. Can the UK O line function well enough to give the skill players time and space to execute. Will Gran be able to rely on the O line, or will they force him to limit his playcalling....become somewhat more predictable.
2. Will Vandy try big play, downfield strikes on offense to try and take a lead early on the road, OR are the more content to just keep it close by going with a conservative.... keep-it-on the ground...wear-them-down strategy of running the ball most of the game ....maybe break a couple nice runs in the 4th and perhaps draw more of the Big Blue D into the box....try to go over the top only once or twice.
3. How will UK's D respond? Will the D line actually fill gaps, make tackles and be the key in stopping the run.....Will the D line shed blocks and put some pressure on the VU QB?
Time will tell..that is why these coaches get paid the big bucks. Vandy's coach has his job on the line too, so I expect his players to also have some fire in the belly. Should be a good close game for the average observer....but too close for UK fans who expect to beat Vandy more often than not and by a fairly sizable score.
This year...home field is the difference for BBN. 14-13 UK wins.
GBB!
Probably giving this game more thought than it deserves,but there is little else to do prior to game time.
The spread is UK-3 which is only the number Vegas uses to best balance the books.The over/under number is 51 which means the expectation is that somebody will put up a pretty big number.I believe it is unlikely that both teams put up big numbers,so one team is going to win comfortably. In the case of Vandy all their games(except Ga Tech )have been fairly close,in the case of the Cats we have been all over the map(blowouts,close games and even both in the same game in the case of Sou Miss)
After considering all of the above I think the Cats win by 2 TD's
The spread is UK-3 which is only the number Vegas uses to best balance the books.The over/under number is 51 which means the expectation is that somebody will put up a pretty big number.I believe it is unlikely that both teams put up big numbers,so one team is going to win comfortably. In the case of Vandy all their games(except Ga Tech )have been fairly close,in the case of the Cats we have been all over the map(blowouts,close games and even both in the same game in the case of Sou Miss)
After considering all of the above I think the Cats win by 2 TD's
Maybe you know cause I don't, how much involvement does Elliot even have with the defense during games at this point? Cause opinions vary.
