I'm not buying what the pronogicators are selling

mtn cat1

All-Conference
Feb 5, 2003
4,258
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I truly believe UK can win this game. I don't believe we can play a traditional game and win however. What I mean by traditional is UK playing run first, run 2nd., and pass on 3rd. down! I believe that Coach Gran and Coach Hinshaw must install some different wrinkles to the "wildcat" and the regular offensive set, either designed run or designed pass! What I believe will happen is, I believe Gran will utilize the "standard scheme - run/pass - option as well as the "wildcat set" as our base but will install sufficient alterations to keep UL guessing!

Defensively, I'm hopeful that Coach Stoops "WILL NOT" rely on UK's standard defensive posture! We simply do not have the quality nor the quantity of skilled DLinemen to offset UL's potent offense! In other posts I have suggested a number of alterations to our regular def. set.
1st. - DL Sets the edge & plays aggressive - smash mouth - fb --- "act rather than react"
CB's play "press coverage" --- LB's play Gap responsibility-reacting quickly & with aggression/meeting BC in the hole utilizing proper tackling technique!
2nd. - Use LB Jones as a "spy" on Jackson, mirroring his every action & "laying the wood" on every play, but avoiding "late hits" 3rd. - Use S's to support CB's and as LB support vs the run
SUBSTITUTE & ROTATE DL OFTEN TO KEEP GROUP "FRESH"
 

Poetax

Heisman
Apr 4, 2002
29,410
20,887
0
This game will not kill us or save us from anything so really if I am Stoops and the Staff, I let it all hang out. Take chances, no punting on the other side of the 50, and pull every trick that you can out of the Wildcat. Just coach reckless as heck, no one believes that you can win anyways. But don't play to try and keep it close, play it to win.
 

mtn cat1

All-Conference
Feb 5, 2003
4,258
1,523
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This game will not kill us or save us from anything so really if I am Stoops and the Staff, I let it all hang out. Take chances, no punting on the other side of the 50, and pull every trick that you can out of the Wildcat. Just coach reckless as heck, no one believes that you can win anyways. But don't play to try and keep it close, play it to win.
You are speaking my lingo Poetax! I've been pleading for most of this season for our defense to be more aggressive! Like others, I realized early on that we were simply to limited in quality & yes, quantity of DL athletes to be expected to compete defensively for 4 quarters vs the competition of the SEC1
 

BBBLazing

All-Conference
Dec 30, 2009
4,888
4,388
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Our offense will not lose this game. Everyone that is calling for us to abandon the Wildcat is crazy. That has gotten us to this point. We should Wildcat them to death. Run the best running back tandem until they can't stop it. I agree that if we stall, show them some different looks, but our offense is not the reason we've lost a couple of games we could have won.
 

Mikey Likes It

All-Conference
Sep 9, 2007
11,247
3,776
0
Our offense will not lose this game. Everyone that is calling for us to abandon the Wildcat is crazy. That has gotten us to this point. We should Wildcat them to death. Run the best running back tandem until they can't stop it. I agree that if we stall, show them some different looks, but our offense is not the reason we've lost a couple of games we could have won.
I don't think anyone's suggesting we abandon the wildcat but when it's nearly 50% or more of your offense thats to much
 

Grumpyolddawg

Heisman
Jun 11, 2001
28,460
37,259
113
I truly believe UK can win this game. I don't believe we can play a traditional game and win however. What I mean by traditional is UK playing run first, run 2nd., and pass on 3rd. down! I believe that Coach Gran and Coach Hinshaw must install some different wrinkles to the "wildcat" and the regular offensive set, either designed run or designed pass! What I believe will happen is, I believe Gran will utilize the "standard scheme - run/pass - option as well as the "wildcat set" as our base but will install sufficient alterations to keep UL guessing!

Defensively, I'm hopeful that Coach Stoops "WILL NOT" rely on UK's standard defensive posture! We simply do not have the quality nor the quantity of skilled DLinemen to offset UL's potent offense! In other posts I have suggested a number of alterations to our regular def. set.
1st. - DL Sets the edge & plays aggressive - smash mouth - fb --- "act rather than react"
CB's play "press coverage" --- LB's play Gap responsibility-reacting quickly & with aggression/meeting BC in the hole utilizing proper tackling technique!
2nd. - Use LB Jones as a "spy" on Jackson, mirroring his every action & "laying the wood" on every play, but avoiding "late hits" 3rd. - Use S's to support CB's and as LB support vs the run
SUBSTITUTE & ROTATE DL OFTEN TO KEEP GROUP "FRESH"

Jones is a great LB, but having him be the spy for Jackson is a bigplay waiting to happen and unfair to him. Houston used a very fast DB to spy him. Jackson wasn't able to make his cut an accelerate away like he has done with everyone else who were using a LB to spy him. UK hasn't shown the defensive speed Houston showed either, but I can't think of anyone else who looked as fast as they did Thrusday night either and they were relentless. I think UK would be better off using their best tackler from the secondary with more speed than Jones to spy Jackson. Removing Jones from UK's defense is giving up alot of defense when its a gamble he can do the job asked of him. But maybe he can and he could be the right choice, but taking him away from UK's defense makes that defense much weaker and making him the spy effectively does that and they don't have to block him.
 

gobgblu37

Senior
Aug 1, 2007
4,457
817
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I'm hoping that Eli Brown is the man chosen to shadow Jackson, excellent speed and sure tackler.
 

Kai Slater

All-American
Jan 30, 2015
1,762
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Friends, don't you all worry one bit....UK is winning this one 37-30. I have a feeling about this one....a 6th sense.
 
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BigBlueCatNation

All-Conference
Jan 31, 2006
77,487
4,411
113
Our offense will not lose this game. Everyone that is calling for us to abandon the Wildcat is crazy. That has gotten us to this point. We should Wildcat them to death. Run the best running back tandem until they can't stop it. I agree that if we stall, show them some different looks, but our offense is not the reason we've lost a couple of games we could have won.

I think that's the biggest difference between the SEC and the ACC. Since Kentucky really hasn't had an oline like they've had this year and running backs either, I'll be interested to see if the constant run will wear their defense down over the course of the game.

Beating Louisville is simple, stop Lamar and you stop Louisville. Of course, that's easier said than done.
 

BoulderCat_rivals187983

All-Conference
May 22, 2002
7,871
3,227
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This game will not kill us or save us from anything so really if I am Stoops and the Staff, I let it all hang out. Take chances, no punting on the other side of the 50, and pull every trick that you can out of the Wildcat. Just coach reckless as heck, no one believes that you can win anyways. But don't play to try and keep it close, play it to win.

That's what I'd do. This is one of those nothing to lose games, but a lot to gain if the Cat's could pull off the upset. Don't leave anything in the playbook. Try them all! Fake FG's, punts, trick plays, pull them all out, but don't fail to give the ball to Snell and Williams a bunch of times.
 
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mtn cat1

All-Conference
Feb 5, 2003
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Our offense will not lose this game. Everyone that is calling for us to abandon the Wildcat is crazy. That has gotten us to this point. We should Wildcat them to death. Run the best running back tandem until they can't stop it. I agree that if we stall, show them some different looks, but our offense is not the reason we've lost a couple of games we could have won.
Note: I'm not advocating abandonment of the wildcat, however, I am suggesting that we witness some different wrinkles, (when least expected), to the standard "bill of fare"! It would be irrational to go away from "dancing with the one that brung you"!
 

mtn cat1

All-Conference
Feb 5, 2003
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Jones is a great LB, but having him be the spy for Jackson is a bigplay waiting to happen and unfair to him. Houston used a very fast DB to spy him. Jackson wasn't able to make his cut an accelerate away like he has done with everyone else who were using a LB to spy him. UK hasn't shown the defensive speed Houston showed either, but I can't think of anyone else who looked as fast as they did Thrusday night either and they were relentless. I think UK would be better off using their best tackler from the secondary with more speed than Jones to spy Jackson. Removing Jones from UK's defense is giving up alot of defense when its a gamble he can do the job asked of him. But maybe he can and he could be the right choice, but taking him away from UK's defense makes that defense much weaker and making him the spy effectively does that and they don't have to block him.
Grumpy, I respect your insight, however, I don't believe we have another LB with the speed & penetrating power of Jones! What DT do we have that can generate the speed & skill of the young Houston DT?
Utilizing Jones in the manner that I described "may" weaken our overall defensive prowess, however, I believe that the benefit(s) gained would exceed any damage that it would incur!
 

Comebakatz3

Heisman
Aug 8, 2008
41,411
31,429
113
As usual big plays are the key. I am not sure of the stats for UK, but it seems that almost every successful drive we have had this season has had at least one 20+ yard play. We rarely seem to be able to actually drive the ball picking up 3-6 yards per play and drive the length of the field. Instead, we rely heavily on getting a big chunk of yardage on one play. Look at last weeks game as an example. 42 of our 49 points came on drives that included at least one play of 25 yards or more. The only sustained drive that didn't have a play over 20 yards was the last drive of the third quarter, our last scoring drive.

Obviously, this has some real issues. Traditionally in a run offense you grind it out and get 3+ yards a carry and you get your first downs. On occasion you might hit a 15+ yard pass play to keep the defense honest and you keep the clock running. However, when you have these huge plays you're no longer eating up clock. You're just scoring quickly. For instance, last week we had just 3 drives that were over 2 minutes. One of those was actually the first drive of the day, which we know led to no points. UK barely has the edge over its opponents on TOP per game, but you would think that would be much higher given that UK is such a good running team. However, I think it goes to show how much UK relies on those big plays.

So, UK has to be able to sustain drives without those big plays and eat up clock. As many people have said the best defense against Jackson is to keep the ball out of his hands. Usually those big plays would be huge, but in this game I think that it would be in UK's favor if they can grind it out and eat up clock. Some big plays are always well appreciated, especially passing plays, but UK needs to be able to somewhat have a prodding offense so that it is harder for Jackson to get on the field and get into a rhythm. It also keeps our defense rested while making the opposing defense worn out later in the game.
 
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WildCard

All-American
May 29, 2001
65,040
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I think what the OP said was UK can win IF we see a different UK than we have seen so far this year. Can't argue that! [winking]

FWIW, I have no idea what UK will "do" but I am confident that, whatever it is, they will bring it as hard as they can.

Peace
 

Grumpyolddawg

Heisman
Jun 11, 2001
28,460
37,259
113
Grumpy, I respect your insight, however, I don't believe we have another LB with the speed & penetrating power of Jones! What DT do we have that can generate the speed & skill of the young Houston DT?
Utilizing Jones in the manner that I described "may" weaken our overall defensive prowess, however, I believe that the benefit(s) gained would exceed any damage that it would incur!

I wouldn't use a LB to spy him, the surest tackling DB is who I would use to spy him, as good as Jones is, I think he is a step slow to deal with what Jackson brings to the table when he pulls it down. That is just my opinion, might be right, might not be, but if I were Stoops I would be thinking its taking my best defender away from my defense, he can still be involved with stopping Jackson if a DB is the spy, but if he is the spy he can't be involved in stopping everything else Louisville does. I suppose he could have a DB ready to spy and begin the game with Jones spying and see how it goes. But in all honestly its going to take the entire defense playing with their hair on fire, he is too elusive and fast for one guy to handle.
 

WildCard

All-American
May 29, 2001
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...But in all honestly its going to take the entire defense playing with their hair on fire, he is too elusive and fast for one guy to handle.
Which is exactly what Houston did. I'm not sure Houston actually "spied" Jackson as much as it was complete across the board awareness and discipline. Very fast defense at all levels, ran a lot of blitzes and line stunts but did so with gap or responsibility discipline. JMO

Peace
 

BlueRattie_rivals

All-Conference
Feb 6, 2014
1,052
1,943
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Jones is a great LB, but having him be the spy for Jackson is a bigplay waiting to happen and unfair to him. Houston used a very fast DB to spy him. Jackson wasn't able to make his cut an accelerate away like he has done with everyone else who were using a LB to spy him. UK hasn't shown the defensive speed Houston showed either, but I can't think of anyone else who looked as fast as they did Thrusday night either and they were relentless. I think UK would be better off using their best tackler from the secondary with more speed than Jones to spy Jackson. Removing Jones from UK's defense is giving up alot of defense when its a gamble he can do the job asked of him. But maybe he can and he could be the right choice, but taking him away from UK's defense makes that defense much weaker and making him the spy effectively does that and they don't have to block him.


Agreed. You don't need a LB to spy Jackson; you don't really have to worry about him running through tackles. You worry about him slipping tackles with elite speed and change of direction. Asking a LB to keep up with him solo in the open field is akin to asking a LB to cover a slot receiver in the open field.

I would actually rotate three players as spies: Edwards (S), Baity (CB), McClain (NB). All three would do a better job than a LB. Plus, by rotating the spy, you introduce a new random variable to the offense. You need the spy seem random to the offense because a single, consistent spy allows offense begins to call plays that take advantage of that defender being in one predictable formation and assignment. (For example, a PA boot would predictably drag Jones out of the middle of the field every play, opening the seam for the TE or slot receiver).
 
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NavyCat88

All-Conference
Nov 22, 2011
3,739
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We're not playing 'Bama here. Devil-may-care FB would an early admission that the coaching staff has no confidence in the team to win straight up, and we would likely lose by a good margin.

I think the Cats have the talent to hang with....maybe even beat UL, but smart & savvy coaching will also be required. Smart coaching doesn't necessarily include forgoing punts (a la Mumme), stringing together several series of trick plays (because "we have nothing to lose".....leading to 3 & outs), or abandoning some of the defensive adjustments that gave us a few wins against some SEC competition this year (mediocre as those opponents may have been). If CMS calls a smart game, we win field position, we grind the clock with our running game, and if we limit mistakes, we can be in this game by manning up and playing some good fundamental FB. But, we can't win the game....if we're not in the game in the 4th.

Conversely, If we act like a DII team playing a P5 team in a money game (just putting on a show and collecting a check) with gadget plays and an every-down blitz strategy, we do our players a disservice and likely lost by several TDs.

The Cats have improved. They're not great, but they're a bowl team. Act like it! Put together a good game plan, fire-em up and lets see if we can pound them with our stable of RBs....wear them down and own the 4th. GBB!
 

DACats86

All-Conference
Jan 7, 2003
22,776
4,134
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Gotta wonder if having a coach that was on Bobby's staff for three years could help UK...
 

Deeeefense

Heisman
Staff member
Aug 22, 2001
44,079
51,061
113
This best way to slow down Jackson is to keep him on the bench. UK's Oline and running backs need to have a big day to have a chance in this one.
 
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