UK WILL WIN AT VANDY

[bratboy]

I may have to eat some crow on this one, but I think we get a win this weekend in Nashville!
Yea we have looked really bad the last three weeks and our team and staff seem to be struggling to get on the same page but unlike Auburn,State and UGA, we have more talent than Vandy and I'm not sold on their defense being "elite" as some have said..also a win against UoC. UoL may be tougher but possible. GO CATS

 

[theoledog]

i disagree ... but i'd be most happy to eat your crow... we got a lump of coal out of WV/Dawson....
looks like we got too much rookie in the coaching staff......

 

[Kai Slater]

Go Big Blue!!!

Win the Game !!!

This is going to an EPIC battle and, quite frankly, I am Super Stoked about this game! You can throw the stat book out the window when these two teams take the field. Should be an incredible game.

 

[dorkmeister]

I think we win this one as well. Vandy is as bad as a team gets in the SEC. We beat Mizzou and USC. If we can beat them then we can walk all over Vandy. I am not calling for a blow out but I am calling an easy 10-13 point win. We have better athletes at nearly every position. We are better and we will win.

 

[BoulderCat_rivals187983]

It's by no means a sure thing, but it's a critical game for the Stoop's era IMO. A loss here opens the possibility of UK only winning 5 games again this year. The team and the program really need this win. I thought they could beat UT or Auburn so being wrong about this team will be nothing new to me, but I'm sticking with them and believe they get the win in Nashville. I won't bother to make another horrible score prediction other than it will be a low one.

 

[Levibooty]

My concern is Vandy's well earned confidence on defense vs our confused and impotent offense. Can we make the field goal to win 3-0!

 

[NCukcat62]

I think we win this one as well. Vandy is as bad as a team gets in the SEC. We beat Mizzou and USC. If we can beat them then we can walk all over Vandy. I am not calling for a blow out but I am calling an easy 10-13 point win. We have better athletes at nearly every position. We are better and we will win.

You do realize Vanderbilt also beat Missouri as well right?

 

[KyDore]

I challenge the notion that UK has "better athletes at nearly every position." I'd previously posted the average star-ratings of the starters for the respective teams and Vandy was significantly higher in that comparison. Of course, different players now start at various positions and I'm not going to do a new analysis but UK doesn't have an overall talent advantage with respect to those players playing significant minutes. Remember, James Franklin's highly rated classes are ahead of CMS's highly rated classes and more of Vandy's better recruits are now on the field (whereas CMS's better recruits are still developing).

UK is a bit better at total offense although both teams are horrible (UK is #95 and Vandy is #114) while Vandy is overwhelmingly better at total defense (Vandy is strong #19 and UK is #79).

My prediction for the game is a bit unconventional. Except for the James Franklin years of dominance, UK seems to always utilize its speed against Vandy to break one long run from scrimmage and one long pass. Boom will get his and, along with the long pass, I think that UK will score 17 points.

While Vandy's offense is awful, UK's defense can't stop anyone, even Vanderbilt. Expect Vandy to have success on the ground and with the short passing attack (and maybe even running the wildcat), so that UK's already sparse defense tires late in the third quarter.

I see Vandy scoring two touchdowns and three field goals for 23 points, with a final score of Vandy 23, UK 17. I predict that folks are off track thinking that Vandy's bad offense won't score on UK's bad defense and that it will be an extremely low scoring game.

 

[LowCountryCat]

You do realize Vanderbilt also beat Missouri as well right?

He literally knows nothing about football.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

I challenge the notion that UK has "better athletes at nearly every position." I'd previously posted the average star-ratings of the starters for the respective teams and Vandy was significantly higher in that comparison. Of course, different players now start at various positions and I'm not going to do a new analysis but UK doesn't have an overall talent advantage with respect to those players playing significant minutes. Remember, James Franklin's highly rated classes are ahead of CMS's highly rated classes and more of Vandy's better recruits are now on the field (whereas CMS's better recruits are still developing).

UK is a bit better at total offense although both teams are horrible (UK is #95 and Vandy is #114) while Vandy is overwhelmingly better at total defense (Vandy is strong #19 and UK is #79).

My prediction for the game is a bit unconventional. Except for the James Franklin years of dominance, UK seems to always utilize its speed against Vandy to break one long run from scrimmage and one long pass. Boom will get his and, along with the long pass, I think that UK will score 17 points.

While Vandy's offense is awful, UK's defense can't stop anyone, even Vanderbilt. Expect Vandy to have success on the ground and with the short passing attack (and maybe even running the wildcat), so that UK's already sparse defense tires late in the third quarter.

I see Vandy scoring two touchdowns and three field goals for 23 points, with a final score of Vandy 23, UK 17. I predict that folks are off track thinking that Vandy's bad offense won't score on UK's bad defense and that it will be an extremely low scoring game.

Fair analysis. I think UK will win, but I expect a close game with a total of 35-40 points just like you predicted.

 

[NCukcat62]

He literally knows nothing about football.

So it seems he doesn't. Haha

 

[KittyKat1978]

This is the make or break game.... UK takes it 14-9

 

[jauk11]

KyDore has some pretty good points, but I think UK has a lot more to play for than Vandy, and while he concedes that UK will probably have two long scores he neglects to mention that we also usually have one long drive for a score. Also not impossible for the D to get a score or two, or a kick return. I just think we have more potential to score than they do.

 

[WildCard]

KyDore you make some fair points. I won't pretend to know anything more about Vandy than what the stats and scores tell me. You undoubtably know more about Vandy than I do but please answer this...

Can Vandy score 23 points? Can they score even on UK's not too scary defense?

Vandy and UK are both pretty close in Total Offense (i.e, YPG) but Vandy is averaging 10.8 PPG against FBS opponents. UK is averaging 20.4. Furthermore Vandy has not scored more than 17 points (against FBS) and did so only once. Vandy is clearly better on defense but with apparently so little offense there is simply no margin for error.

FWIW, I have opined for years that one of the "intangibles" Vandy brings to this games is that, no matter how "bad" they might be, they alway feel like they can beat UK.

Peace

 

[ulismyman]

Kick return??? Lost all credibility with that

 

[KattieCat]

Vandy's defense has to play almost perfect for them to win games, that's a lot to ask week after week. I like UK's chances.

 

[MudererofCrows]

Victory is pointless. Tell me how this team has progressed? Recruiting is about to fall apart yet again. Next season I see a tremendously difficult schedule that we'll be lucky to win four games based on the product this staff has put out on the field thus far.

I no longer look at the small picture. I look at the long form and what I see is a program that isn't making progress, inept coaching, mediocre player development and players that no longer care.

Beating Vandy and Charlotte does nothing for this program other than make them eligible for a meaningless bowl game. And I have serious doubts we will beat Vandy. Those kids still compete. We don't.

 

[oboroCATfan]

The title should read "UK should win at Vandy". Despite what the Vandy fans think, UK is better. A loss in this game would be devastating for the Cats and I hope the players play with that type of urgency.

 

[kyboy1998_rivals34276]

Read that headline.

Like its some great declaration. Geez our program sucks.

 

[KattieCat]

Victory is pointless. Tell me how this team has progressed? Recruiting is about to fall apart yet again. Next season I see a tremendously difficult schedule that we'll be lucky to win four games based on the product this staff has put out on the field thus far.

I no longer look at the small picture. I look at the long form and what I see is a program that isn't making progress, inept coaching, mediocre player development and players that no longer care.

Beating Vandy and Charlotte does nothing for this program other than make them eligible for a meaningless bowl game. And I have serious doubts we will beat Vandy. Those kids still compete. We don't.

Victory is pointless?

Meaningless bowl game?

C'mon man you have to start somewhere. I'm sure you've heard coaches say losing is a habit and teams need to learn how to win. Well this is a process, and getting to a bowl and winning it is part of that process. It sends them in the right direction. I heard someone say last week that because of missing bowl games, UK has missed almost a years worth of practices. There is a lot at stake here, much more than just some "meaningless bowl game". Losing this game would do more to send them in the direction you describe than anything else, so it's far from pointless.

 

[BigBoyBlueMMA]

I say play it by Muschamp rules

 

[SEKproud]

Most people knew that the last 4 games was going to be a tough stretch to get a win in. Some hoped we could've pulled one out( I was one of them) but reality showed its ugly head. Now some have given up when we're at the point in the season were this team needs the fan support the most. These next 3 games are not against juggernauts so try and not make them out to be one. Please keep supporting our cats and hopefully they'll repay the fans by playing fundamentally sound and inspired football. The goal for this season was a bowl game and we can still get there. If not then maybe questions should be asked but after the season not during.

 

[CatDaddy4daWin]

Vanderbilt's defense has been very opportunistic. We have got to limit turnovers. If we could get through this game without a turnover we will win.

UK still has a lot to play for and I expect a fair amount of UK fans to show up down in Nashville. Actually glad they aren't in Lexington this weekend.

Barker will start this game and give the team a bit of lift.

 

[Mojocat_rivals48469]

I confess, I thought we'd get housed against MSU, UT and UGa only to follow that up with wins against Vandy, UC and UofL - but I'm doubting myself a little. First, the minor point, both Vandy and Louisville look better than when I formed that opinion. Second, bigger point, I failed to figure that those 3 losses would result in a fog of negativity both inside and outside the locker room and would give at least the appearance of a train off the tracks. I thought the Mississippi State game would be a little closer, call it 12-15, but I very much expected UT and UGa to run away from us, which is why when it happened i wasn't in panic mode. If we get beat by Vandy, a little panic is warranted......

 

[KyDore]

KyDore you make some fair points. I won't pretend to know anything more about Vandy than what the stats and scores tell me. You undoubtably know more about Vandy than I do but please answer this...

Can Vandy score 23 points? Can they score even on UK's not too scary defense?

Vandy and UK are both pretty close in Total Offense (i.e, YPG) but Vandy is averaging 10.8 PPG against FBS opponents. UK is averaging 20.4. Furthermore Vandy has not scored more than 17 points (against FBS) and did so only once. Vandy is clearly better on defense but with apparently so little offense there is simply no margin for error.

FWIW, I have opined for years that one of the "intangibles" Vandy brings to this games is that, no matter how "bad" they might be, they alway feel like they can beat UK.

Peace

As to the intangibles, I think that the dynamic really changed with James Franklin's dominant three year run against UK and Vandy's players, and fans, just thought that Vandy had become a better program. Last year's 17-7 loss in Lexington didn't do a great deal to change that mindset although there were clearly concerned as to whether Derek Mason was the right guy. A Vandy player assured me that Vandy will win this weekend (not that one player's confidence necessarily means anything) and the players and fans have had this weekend as a Vandy "W" all year so there is a confidence against UK that that can only be an intangible positive. I think that one could suggest the same thing with respect to the UK team, to wit, that Vandy is a team that UK always thinks it can beat and therefore instills confidence (but maybe historically there has been over-confidence). In a way, intangibles are just "maybes" so my answer is really "maybe." But, your question is a good one.

As far as Vandy scoring 23, or at all, I do think that Vandy has been reasonable at moving the ball but just hasn't scored well in the red zone. This is where the quality of the opponent's defense really matters and I don't think that Vandy will stall in the red zone as much against UK as they have against better defenses. In not for the Houston game outlier, Vandy has improved as the season has progressed. Vandy prefers to run and UK is vulnerable to the run so Vandy has a good matchup there.

As with any projected-to-be-close game, turnovers will likely tell the tale. A significant factor that hasn't really been discussed is whether Shurmur will return from his concussion or whether McCrary will play.

This game should be close and neither side of the fence strikes me as an unreasonable prediction.

 

[howercat]

I may have to eat some crow on this one, but I think we get a win this weekend in Nashville!
Yea we have looked really bad the last three weeks and our team and staff seem to be struggling to get on the same page but unlike Auburn,State and UGA, we have more talent than Vandy and I'm not sold on their defense being "elite" as some have said..also a win against UoC. UoL may be tougher but possible. GO CATS

I hope you are right, but if u had bet straight up against the CATS in the last 4 games, you would be sitting pretty...despite the horrible odds..a $500 bet on UGA, netted you an easy $100. ODDS will be pretty even on VANDY this weekend. So a betting man, could make some big dough.

 

[bratboy]

If we can maintain possession of the football for a reasonable amount of time so our D isn't beat down then we outscore Vandy for the win..IMO we will be able to extend drives (some)better against them than either UoF, Auburn, UoT, State or UGA..

 

[KyDore]

If we can maintain possession of the football for a reasonable amount of time so our D isn't beat down then we outscore Vandy for the win..IMO we will be able to extend drives (some)better against them than either UoF, Auburn, UoT, State or UGA..

The rankings support your thought as to FL (#6 total defense) and even UGA (#14), but Vandy's defense (#19) far outranks Mississippi State (#48) and Tennessee (#70). Of course, that doesn't mean that UK won't boat-race 'em.

Whichever defense tires is likely going to be the team with the L. Ball control will be key.

 

[bratboy]

I disagree that they have the 19th best defense in the nation..yea that's what the stats say but they like us have played some good teams close but gave up 35 to Huston and have played 2 cupcakes, a bad USC team and mizzu..It should be a really close game though..looking forward to watching it! Hoping for a positive performance from our CATS!!

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

Kick return??? Lost all credibility with that

I caught that too. Not only do we NOT return kicks for scores, we seldom even advance the ball. Don't know where that came from.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

The rankings support your thought as to FL (#6 total defense) and even UGA (#14), but Vandy's defense (#19) far outranks Mississippi State (#48) and Tennessee (#70). Of course, that doesn't mean that UK won't boat-race 'em.

Whichever defense tires is likely going to be the team with the L. Ball control will be key.

Good to see some insightful posts from both sides in this thread. Beats the heck out of the insults usually hurled back and forth no matter what the topic. Good luck but I hope we can pull this one out.

 

[J. Shellacque]

Good to see some insightful posts from both sides in this thread. Beats the heck out of the insults usually hurled back and forth no matter what the topic. Good luck but I hope we can pull this one out.

It's almost, probably a not sure thing that we pull this one out. Speaking of the the Vandy soiree. Joking aside. This coaching staff deserves criticism on all fronts. I still can't get over the 8 guys on the field. Who has ever seen a team at any level with only 8 guys on the field? The unintentional lob kick was kind of ..well... Stoops Kentucky football like. It's not good. Stoops' honeymoon is over.

 

[BluTide]

I think Cats lose Saturday. Vandy's defense is significantly better than UK's and they are mentally tougher than UK

 

[UK2005_24]

Cats will lose Sat... Our team is pretty bad and cant say the Cats will be the better team on the road... Prediction is Vandy 17 UK 14

 

[Hjack]

You do realize Vanderbilt also beat Missouri as well right?

Was that before or after the player strike?:smiley:

 

[brianpoe]

Victory is pointless. Tell me how this team has progressed? Recruiting is about to fall apart yet again. Next season I see a tremendously difficult schedule that we'll be lucky to win four games based on the product this staff has put out on the field thus far.

I no longer look at the small picture. I look at the long form and what I see is a program that isn't making progress, inept coaching, mediocre player development and players that no longer care.

Beating Vandy and Charlotte does nothing for this program other than make them eligible for a meaningless bowl game. And I have serious doubts we will beat Vandy. Those kids still compete. We don't.

Bowl game is definitely not meaningless when it comes to the overall progression. It is almost crucial.

 

[michaeluk26]

We win.

 

[bratboy]

It's almost, probably a not sure thing that we pull this one out. Speaking of the the Vandy soiree. Joking aside. This coaching staff deserves criticism on all fronts. I still can't get over the 8 guys on the field. Who has ever seen a team at any level with only 8 guys on the field? The unintentional lob kick was kind of ..well... Stoops Kentucky football like. It's not good. Stoops' honeymoon is over.

Swa' ra'...thats a first..guess this is a formal matchup of 2 not so great football teams..I didn't realize so many journalism majors were football fans until I joined.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

Cats win with big plays.

 

[ukgolfnut36]

you guys sure know how to pick them,we are being out coached by 2nd year coach with less talent,what we need is to spend a lot more on FB,125 mill for Stad an 45 mill on new coaches off an we cant compeat agains Vandy