Five positive thoughts heading into today's game

[UKErik]

1. We've heard a LOT about Mizzou's no-huddle offense. The Tigers are averaging a whopping 505 yards per game (11th nationally) and 34.9 PPG. HOWEVER, against P5 schools, they're averaging less than 400 yards and 15 PPG.

2. UK's strength (rush offense) matches up PERFECTLY with Missouri's top weakness (rush defense). Take out the game vs. I-AA Delaware State, and Missouri's rush defense would rank 2nd to last in the nation among P5 schools. Again, SECOND TO LAST!

3. Injuries. Kentucky goes into this game relatively healthy. On the flip side, Missouri has been absolutely decimated with defensive injuries. Their top defensive tackle and top linebacker have both been lost for the season, and again, the MU defense was awful WITH them.

4. Kentucky is playing smash-mouth, physical football. That's the kind of football team that can go on the road and win games. UK played a physical game down at Alabama. If their defensive effort in Columbia is that good (27 points allowed), they leave the "Show Me" state with a "W"!!!

5. The Cats run game should negate Mizzou's no-huddle offense. UK should be able to hog the football today. Keep the defense well rested (hopefully).

Folks, as long as we don't see a -2 or worse turnover margin, UK should be in terrific shape. And If UK actually WINS the turnover battle, look out!!!

Cats 41
Tigers 31

GBB!!!

 

[RackOps]

I agree with everything you posted.


Go cats!

 

[56gregory7]

I Hope you sir are correct!! GO CATS

 

[GridCats]

Hope you're right and Vegas is wrong. :sunglasses:

 

[Dallas-Wild]

UK 41-27

307 yds rushing

 

[rmattox]

1. We've heard a LOT about Mizzou's no-huddle offense. The Tigers are averaging a whopping 505 yards per game (11th nationally) and 34.9 PPG. HOWEVER, against P5 schools, they're averaging less than 400 yards and 15 PPG.

2. UK's strength (rush offense) matches up PERFECTLY with Missouri's top weakness (rush defense). Take out the game vs. I-AA Delaware State, and Missouri's rush defense would rank 2nd to last in the nation among P5 schools. Again, SECOND TO LAST!

3. Injuries. Kentucky goes into this game relatively healthy. On the flip side, Missouri has been absolutely decimated with defensive injuries. Their top defensive tackle and top linebacker have both been lost for the season, and again, the MU defense was awful WITH them.

4. Kentucky is playing smash-mouth, physical football. That's the kind of football team that can go on the road and win games. UK played a physical game down at Alabama. If their defensive effort in Columbia is that good (27 points allowed), they leave the "Show Me" state with a "W"!!!

5. The Cats run game should negate Mizzou's no-huddle offense. UK should be able to hog the football today. Keep the defense well rested (hopefully).

Folks, as long as we don't see a -2 or worse turnover margin, UK should be in terrific shape. And If UK actually WINS the turnover battle, look out!!!

Cats 41
Tigers 31

GBB!!!

 

[rmattox]

"Folks, as long as we don't see a -2 or worse turnover margin, UK should be in terrific shape. And If UK actually WINS the turnover battle, look out!!!"


Your last sentence, I fear, will be our downfall. We have good players that happen to be turnover prone.

 

[JC CATS]

1. We've heard a LOT about Mizzou's no-huddle offense. The Tigers are averaging a whopping 505 yards per game (11th nationally) and 34.9 PPG. HOWEVER, against P5 schools, they're averaging less than 400 yards and 15 PPG.

2. UK's strength (rush offense) matches up PERFECTLY with Missouri's top weakness (rush defense). Take out the game vs. I-AA Delaware State, and Missouri's rush defense would rank 2nd to last in the nation among P5 schools. Again, SECOND TO LAST!

3. Injuries. Kentucky goes into this game relatively healthy. On the flip side, Missouri has been absolutely decimated with defensive injuries. Their top defensive tackle and top linebacker have both been lost for the season, and again, the MU defense was awful WITH them.

4. Kentucky is playing smash-mouth, physical football. That's the kind of football team that can go on the road and win games. UK played a physical game down at Alabama. If their defensive effort in Columbia is that good (27 points allowed), they leave the "Show Me" state with a "W"!!!

5. The Cats run game should negate Mizzou's no-huddle offense. UK should be able to hog the football today. Keep the defense well rested (hopefully).

Folks, as long as we don't see a -2 or worse turnover margin, UK should be in terrific shape. And If UK actually WINS the turnover battle, look out!!!

Cats 41
Tigers 31

GBB!!!

I like it. I believe this staff has beat protect the ball in this team's and particularly Stephen Johnson's head. I think we win if we keep Smith out of the QB position

 

[docholiday51]

All those positives mean that the game is there for the taking,it comes down to just go get the job done. Do we have the mindset to do that? Can we play a game in which we successfully exploit the advantages we have? Have we truly improved enough as a team to win a SEC road game that means this much to our program?

You can make a believable case that the answer to these questions is yes,all that remains is to just get the job done,we don't have to climb some mountain to do it just play to our strength and don't beat ourselves.

 

[docinjax]

Hope you're right and Vegas is wrong. :sunglasses:

Remember, the lines Vegas puts out have nothing to do with who they think wins or loses. It's the line where they think they will get the most people to bet the most money.

 

[Hank Camacho]

I'd love to see a repeat of last week's gameplan by Gran and Hinshaw: focus on moving the ball consistently on the ground, protecting the ball, and carefully finding spots for Johnson to throw for high reward / low risk.

 

[docholiday51]

Remember, the lines Vegas puts out have nothing to do with who they think wins or loses. It's the line where they think they will get the most people to bet the most money.

The lines reflect where Vegas thinks they can get about an even split on the money bet on the game 50% on Mizzou and 50 % on UK

 

[CrustyCat]

1. We've heard a LOT about Mizzou's no-huddle offense. The Tigers are averaging a whopping 505 yards per game (11th nationally) and 34.9 PPG. HOWEVER, against P5 schools, they're averaging less than 400 yards and 15 PPG.

2. UK's strength (rush offense) matches up PERFECTLY with Missouri's top weakness (rush defense). Take out the game vs. I-AA Delaware State, and Missouri's rush defense would rank 2nd to last in the nation among P5 schools. Again, SECOND TO LAST!

3. Injuries. Kentucky goes into this game relatively healthy. On the flip side, Missouri has been absolutely decimated with defensive injuries. Their top defensive tackle and top linebacker have both been lost for the season, and again, the MU defense was awful WITH them.

4. Kentucky is playing smash-mouth, physical football. That's the kind of football team that can go on the road and win games. UK played a physical game down at Alabama. If their defensive effort in Columbia is that good (27 points allowed), they leave the "Show Me" state with a "W"!!!

5. The Cats run game should negate Mizzou's no-huddle offense. UK should be able to hog the football today. Keep the defense well rested (hopefully).

Folks, as long as we don't see a -2 or worse turnover margin, UK should be in terrific shape. And If UK actually WINS the turnover battle, look out!!!

Cats 41
Tigers 31

GBB!!!

I feel like the biggest factor in today's game is between the ears of every UK player. Play this game with focus and drive, without caring whether Missouri is beat up or not, and they should win. Of course, in the past this is precisely the type of game where previous UK teams have laid giant eggs. I see signs that move me to be optimistic that this won't happen today. SJ MUST protect the football. If he didn't have those fumbles against Miss St., that game looks more like a blowout win than a close one.

 

[Kybluedude]

Get off to a great start!! Get the confidence up early. Build on it and then pull away in the 2nd half. Solid play and don't get surprised or stung by a mistake. Control both lines and get pressure on their QB

 

[zcats]

Another issue in our favor is that football is a grueling physical game that requires tremendous effort and playing through being hurt. Mizzou is at a point in their season where there really is no prize at the end. It gets harder and harder to fight 60 minutes just for your own pride. Getting a good effort at the beginning is one thing but keeping it up against a more motivated opponent is another. We have a lot of experience from the other side of this equation.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

I was reading an article from Columbia this morning. Not only did they lose their top 2 defensive players last week, Scherer was also their vocal leader. Losing your leader like that can be devastating. I don't think they have the players to circle their wagons and neither did the writer - he predicted UK by 10.

 

[bluekid]

Dead on, we can't get to 20 points at least in this one with their defense. We got serious serious problems. It will be a shootout. Be an entertaining white knuckler

Cats 42
Mizzou 38

 

[ukalum1988]

I was reading an article from Columbia this morning. Not only did they lose their top 2 defensive players last week, Scherer was also their vocal leader. Losing your leader like that can be devastating. I don't think they have the players to circle their wagons and neither did the writer - he predicted UK by 10.

As bad as Mizzou's defense has been, Scherer is a player, and I mean that as the highest compliment.

As has been noted elsewhere, one of their top DBs is out for the first half for targeting in last week's game.

If the Cats can dominate early, it will be interesting to see if the Tigers will be able to sustain the necessary effort for a full 60 minutes. OTOH, it could be a battle all the way to the end.

All that said, it will be very disappointing if the Cats fail to win today.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

One pick six my a UK secondary defender will bust this one wide open...
UK 35
Mizzou 15

 

[Mr Schwump]

1. We've heard a LOT about Mizzou's no-huddle offense. The Tigers are averaging a whopping 505 yards per game (11th nationally) and 34.9 PPG. HOWEVER, against P5 schools, they're averaging less than 400 yards and 15 PPG.

2. UK's strength (rush offense) matches up PERFECTLY with Missouri's top weakness (rush defense). Take out the game vs. I-AA Delaware State, and Missouri's rush defense would rank 2nd to last in the nation among P5 schools. Again, SECOND TO LAST!

3. Injuries. Kentucky goes into this game relatively healthy. On the flip side, Missouri has been absolutely decimated with defensive injuries. Their top defensive tackle and top linebacker have both been lost for the season, and again, the MU defense was awful WITH them.

4. Kentucky is playing smash-mouth, physical football. That's the kind of football team that can go on the road and win games. UK played a physical game down at Alabama. If their defensive effort in Columbia is that good (27 points allowed), they leave the "Show Me" state with a "W"!!!

5. The Cats run game should negate Mizzou's no-huddle offense. UK should be able to hog the football today. Keep the defense well rested (hopefully).

Folks, as long as we don't see a -2 or worse turnover margin, UK should be in terrific shape. And If UK actually WINS the turnover battle, look out!!!

Cats 41
Tigers 31

GBB!!!

Most of the P5 teams they lost to were Top 25 teams.

UK must find a pass rush, must force turnovers while avoiding same, must take advantage of those turnovers and must overcome a long history of playing atrocious football on the road while playing a hungry team that expects to win. Dangerous game.

Missouri 38
UK 35

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Most of the P5 teams they lost to were Top 25 teams.

UK must find a pass rush, must force turnovers while avoiding same, must take advantage of those turnovers and must overcome a long history of playing atrocious football on the road while playing a hungry team that expects to win. Dangerous game.

Missouri 38
UK 35

Yes, it is a dangerous game but I think you're looking at it incorrectly. The Mizzou team today is much less capable than the team who started the year. They have been beaten up and demoralized. I don't think, in their heart of hearts, that they expect to win. Their vocal leader is gone, the defense is decimated, their plan is to only use 3 defensive tackles to cover the rotation. They'll still run the hurry up offense while we maintain long drives. Their D will be on the field all day, without its leader, it's really a bad look for Missouri.

 

[Blue Decade]

Kentucky has improved every week since getting blown out by Florida. Our coaches deserve credit for that. But Stoops still hasn't shown an ability to travel to another stadium and beat a decent SEC team on the road. People can say injuries have hurt Missouri, but injuries have hurt Kentucky too. Missouri is better than their record, and today's matchup is not good for us. Unless Kentucky eliminates the turnovers and runs the football for at least 300 yards today, I think Missouri wins fairly easily.

 

[docholiday51]

Kentucky has improved every week since getting blown out by Florida. Our coaches deserve credit for that. But Stoops still hasn't shown an ability to travel to another stadium and beat a decent SEC team on the road. People can say injuries have hurt Missouri, but injuries have hurt Kentucky too. Missouri is better than their record, and today's matchup is not good for us. Unless Kentucky eliminates the turnovers and runs the football for at least 300 yards today, I think Missouri wins fairly easily.

I don't see them winning easily,maybe they win a close one but the just lost to Middle Tennessee and lost 3 or 4 players on defense in the process.The same Middle Tennessee that gave up 47 points to Vandy and lost by 23 and lost to WKU by a point(and no WKU of this year isn't WKU of last year by any means)

Could we lose this one,sure (after all it is UK football we are talking about) but I think we will be in the game,with a chance to win, till the end

 

[cat888]

Thanks Erik always enjoy your comments.

 

[GridCats]

The lines reflect where Vegas thinks they can get about an even split on the money bet on the game 50% on Mizzou and 50 % on UK

What Vegas and the money is saying with the spread it'll be a close game. We might think it's a 10-14 win, but the money is saying something else.

 

[zcats]

The passing game may end up being a key for UK. I see UM cheating to move up and stop the run. Football is often won or lost by what you make the opposing safeties do. Make them cheat up and there should be receivers wide open. Make them stay home and the run game can roll.

 

[LawCat1989_rivals]

Tigers gonna come callin' and we bout to hang up on their ***!

 

[UKErik]

Really, it's what you do with your strong safety, and if Missouri brings him up and plays a single high or even cover zero, I like UK's passing game against the Tiger secondary. I also like UK's ability to pass protect if the passing game becomes paramount today.

On defense, when the Tigers do drive, UK probably has to force field goal attempts at least half the time.

GBB!!!

 

[Blue Decade]

I don't see them winning easily,maybe they win a close one but the just lost to Middle Tennessee and lost 3 or 4 players on defense in the process.The same Middle Tennessee that gave up 47 points to Vandy and lost by 23 and lost to WKU by a point(and no WKU of this year isn't WKU of last year by any means)

Could we lose this one,sure (after all it is UK football we are talking about) but I think we will be in the game,with a chance to win, till the end

It doesn't matter that Missouri lost to MTSU, and it doesn't matter that MTSU lost to Vandy. Kentucky lost to Southern Miss, and that doesn't matter either. All that matters is the final score. In Stoops' tenure at Kentucky, he has won only 1 SEC road game. Today is a tougher test than that 1 was. It wasn't because Stoops can't coach on the road. It was because his teams have been too young and too inexperienced to win road games. I don't like the matchup today. A month ago, everyone wanted Stoops fired. Now everyone is convinced we are going to a bowl. LOL! In their euphoria, people have forgotten how good Charles Harris is. With Harris rushing Steve Johnson's blind side, Johnson won't be productive in the passing game unless Kentucky runs the football very effectively. Kentucky can win this game if Boom and Snell rush for at least 300 yards, and if we avoid turnovers. That's exactly how MTSU beat Missouri. And that's what it will take to control the clock and keep Drew Locke and Damarea Crockett on the sideline today. But Johnson is likely to find himself in some 3rd and long situations today, and that's when he makes mistakes. The most likely outcome today is a fairly comfortable win for the home team. But if Kentucky finds a way to pull this 1 out, then I hope everyone understands what an accomplishment it would be for Stoops' staff.

 

[StubbornPenny]

UKErik had me optimistic about MSU, he has me optimistic about Missouri now. Let's go bowling!

I've been a huge critic of Stoops, but my main criticism was the team not being prepared and having no fight. We look prepared and ready to fight now, took us long enough, but here we are. Many Kentucky-esque setbacks in the MSU game, but we did not fold, and every last rush and tackle was done with maximum hear. That's everything in a nutshell for me.

 

[RR30]

I don't disagree with any of this. However, everyone minus Vegas is picking UK to win this. It is for bowl eligibility (for all intents and purposes). I'm not the smartest person out there, but I do know UK football and these are the games UK normally falls flat on their face. Hopefully that changes today.