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What bothers me about the opener ?

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Trublupopeye

All-American
Aug 23, 2010
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I know alot of people will say if you can't beat USM then we have bigger problems to worry about and I get that. However USM is a quality football team that will probably go bowling again this year. What really bothers me about this game is they will come in here with nothing at all to lose. They should be loose and ready to go. They are expected to lose and if they win great and if they lose, well they where supposed to. We on the other hand know this is a important game that we can't afford any mistakes. Add the Shannon Dawson effect and the fact that he also has nothing to lose and all his comments about being just another game is total BS. Thoughts ?
 
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DACats86

All-Conference
Jan 7, 2003
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UK has a significant size advantage on the OL as compared to SMU's DL - they need to approach this game conservatively and simply - consistently pound the ball straight at the DL. If UK can sustain long drives by running the ball, they will wear down the SMU defense and they will keep Mullen on the sideline. If UK starts airing it out and three and outing, it will be a long game and a long season. This game isn't the game to show creativity or flashiness - it needs to be a good old fashioned three yards and a cloud of dust game for UK.
 
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TBCat

Heisman
Mar 30, 2007
14,317
10,331
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It's the damned if you do damned if you don't thing all over again. We can either schedule a winnable game in which case everyone thinks the other team has nothing to lose. Or we can schedule a team equal or better than us and be underdogs. Look if you want to move forward you have to beat someone. We can't get to a bowl game playing Charlotte 10 times per year. USM is no cup cake but if you can't beat good teams then you aren't improving. I like this game because we should win but it's also a good test of where the Stoops era is headed. Win it and we can claim we've made progress since this team is much better than the WKU team we lost to in year 1. Lose this game and then there's no way to fool ourselves. As good as USM is I still think we win by 14 or more.
 
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jgolfparker

Sophomore
Apr 9, 2007
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i like the danged if you dont, danged if you do.... So when we play 5 teams that should beat us. we should have the upper hand!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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NCukcat62

All-Conference
Jul 22, 2007
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I get what you are saying and I respect that but we gotta come out and hit them right in the mouth.
 
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Blue Decade

All-American
May 3, 2013
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Trubluepopeye said:
I know alot of people will say if you can't beat USM then we have bigger problems to worry about and I get that. However USM is a quality football team that will probably go bowling again this year. What really bothers me about this game is they will come in here with nothing at all to lose. They should be loose and ready to go. They are expected to loose and if they win great and if they loose, well they where supposed to. We on the other hand know this is a important game that we can't afford any mistakes. Add the Shannon Dawson effect and the fact that he also has nothing to loose and all his comments about being just another game is total BS. Thoughts ?
Click to expand...
I don't think Shannon Dawson is actually much of a factor. This game really boils down to 2 big questions. Can Kentucky move the chains consistently with our running game by exploiting our big offensive line blocking for Boom against Southern Miss's smallish defensive line? Can Kentucky put a real pass rush on Nick Mullens for 4 quarters? If we do those 2 things, we win the game. If we don't do those 2 things, then the game becomes a shootout and the advantage swings to the senior quarterback with the stellar track record.
 
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Poetax

Heisman
Apr 4, 2002
29,410
20,887
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Trubluepopeye said:
I know alot of people will say if you can't beat USM then we have bigger problems to worry about and I get that. However USM is a quality football team that will probably go bowling again this year. What really bothers me about this game is they will come in here with nothing at all to lose. They should be loose and ready to go. They are expected to loose and if they win great and if they loose, well they where supposed to. We on the other hand know this is a important game that we can't afford any mistakes. Add the Shannon Dawson effect and the fact that he also has nothing to loose and all his comments about being just another game is total BS. Thoughts ?
Click to expand...

I think people are coming at that from an angle that we are at least on the same level or better then USM so if we lose to them, the future is bleak, not giving any credit that we could improve but won't in their opinion since we lost. And the thing about them being more up and loose then us? I say if you are at home, in front of your own crowd for an opener and can't be ready and up, then we have more problems then no depth or Dline. As far as Dawson goes, I'm glad that Gran is here and that Stoops is comfortable with him because I believe one side or the other is going to over think this game way too much and have a disaster on their hands. I'm betting Gran is going to be really solid for us in that game.
 
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jauk11

Heisman
Dec 6, 2006
60,631
18,638
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What bothers me about the game is it is only four days away and with all this talk on here we haven't got the dam game won yet------and before you get excited, I left the n off because I don't cuss------much..

Somebody has got to step it up.

How about this, we probably have about a dozen four stars and a FIVE STAR playing, and they probably don't have any. Shouldn't that be worth a point or two?

I have two bets on UK to cover and will probably go back again, but to tell the truth I will be happy if we win by one point, a very important game for our season AND prognosis.

And quit picking on fans spelling, I knew a guy once that if you asked him to spell coffee he wouldn't nave gotten a singly letter right, he would have spelled it kawphy-----literally.
 
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richbrookstomato

Heisman
Sep 13, 2003
23,905
33,655
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If Coach Stoops can't go into a season opening game against a C-USA team with our former Off. Coord., that we are FAVORED in, and make a statement by winning by 2 scores or more, then he is not the coach for UK Football!!!!

This game is HUGE for Coach Stoops!!
 
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JasonRDunn

All-Conference
Jan 27, 2008
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I agree that this game will be a test and that they have nothing to lose. I also agree that it is a good test -- one that we need before going to the Swamp.

I also think that they understand the OL and DL deficit and will stack the line to stop the run. Drew has to be able to pass it because they will also bring pressure and probably either bump our receivers or play a match-up zone -- keeping the receivers close to the vest.

Should be a good game.
 
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Trublupopeye

All-American
Aug 23, 2010
5,464
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catben said:
If Coach Stoops can't go into a season opening game against a C-USA team with our former Off. Coord., that we are FAVORED in, and make a statement by winning by 2 scores or more, then he is not the coach for UK Football!!!!

This game is HUGE for Coach Stoops!!
Click to expand...
I'm not against playing this game, just not as the season opener? Let's open with a easier game and get our feet wet before we jump in to sink or swim? With how the season ended last year, this is certainly Stoops most important opener of his 4 years here ?
 
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*Bleedingblue*

Heisman
Mar 5, 2009
39,604
30,453
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jauk11 said:
What bothers me about the game is it is only four days away and with all this talk on here we haven't got the dam game won yet------and before you get excited, I left the n off because I don't cuss------much..

Somebody has got to step it up.

How about this, we probably have about a dozen four stars and a FIVE STAR playing, and they probably don't have any. Shouldn't that be worth a point or two?

I have two bets on UK to cover and will probably go back again, but to tell the truth I will be happy if we win by one point, a very important game for our season AND prognosis.

And quit picking on fans spelling, I knew a guy once that if you asked him to spell coffee he wouldn't nave gotten a singly letter right, he would have spelled it kawphy-----literally.
Click to expand...


just think of it like this. Alabama significantly out-recruits us or just say Ohio State for example. We significantly out-recruit Southern Miss. I am sure that when we play Alabama or if we played Ohio State they would be favored by more then a touchdown. It would probably be something like 21 or maybe more. We should be favored by that many against Southern Miss just by our history of recruiting a heck of a lot better than Southern missed has done. But as you can see we are not then that raises the question of why.
It also raises questions about how many freshmen are in our two deep when we have had three previous recruiting classes by Stoops in recruiting depth some of those guys should have been developed for our two deep instead of relying on freshmen.

So hopefully saturday we come out and put up 40 points on em and hold them to under 20.
 
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Oldtrainer_rivals

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Aug 12, 2008
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I expect to see CATS run the ball behind two tight end sets much of the time.
I expect to see much blitzing from many angles.
I expect to see much improved special team play.
I expect to see much improved side line coaching.
I expect to see a three touch down WILDCAT victory.
 
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wildcatman26

All-Conference
Apr 23, 2006
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I had a dream about this Game
Man it was a close game.....
But UK Puts away in the Second half
wins 48-20

PS UK has 6 sacks and also 3 INT
 
C

cordialb

Senior
Nov 20, 2015
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I think that last year, Dawson's pride wouldn't have allowed him to pound the rock the whole game with a clear advantage. I've coached with a similar offensive coordinator before that had to have the prolific offense, especially against a perceived inferior team.

I think Gran is much smarter, humble, and less ego driven and will take what the defense gives him.
 
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Beatle Bum

Heisman
Sep 1, 2002
39,890
60,246
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USM is considered a leader for its conference and a bowl contender. UK has not been to a bowl in years. It is the first game. USM has one of the best pocket passing QBs in the country and some good skill players. This is a good football team that has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Tough start for the Cats.
 
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PhattyJ4UK_rivals309166

Heisman
Nov 7, 2008
13,888
12,962
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wildcatman26 said:
I had a dream about this Game
Man it was a close game.....
But UK Puts away in the Second half
wins 48-20

PS UK has 6 sacks and also 3 INT
Click to expand...

"Last night, i had a dream, we were beating souther miss 24-14 and i was sad. But when i woke up, i was happy cuz i know we will best them by much more than that"

Not an exact quote, but close...who can name that movie.
 
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Black Diamond Cat

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Apr 9, 2016
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Caveman Catfan said:
Seriously? That seems like a limited approach to communication.

And, I think you meant to say "you lost me," but because I understood what you meant, there seems very little reason to be snarky about it, other than to respond to snark.

"Peace" - WildCard
Click to expand...
:sunglasses:..... Eggzactly !
 
S

Shydog

Heisman
Sep 11, 2013
6,742
10,767
113
Oldtrainer said:
I expect to see CATS run the ball behind two tight end sets much of the time.
I expect to see much blitzing from many angles.
I expect to see much improved special team play.
I expect to see much improved side line coaching.
I expect to see a three touch down WILDCAT victory.
Click to expand...
I expect none of those things but hope for all of them!!!
 
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Anon1712931820

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Apr 11, 2008
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DACats86 said:
UK has a significant size advantage on the OL as compared to SMU's DL - they need to approach this game conservatively and simply - consistently pound the ball straight at the DL. If UK can sustain long drives by running the ball, they will wear down the SMU defense and they will keep Mullen on the sideline. If UK starts airing it out and three and outing, it will be a long game and a long season. This game isn't the game to show creativity or flashiness - it needs to be a good old fashioned three yards and a cloud of dust game for UK.
Click to expand...
Perfect take. Although I will add....wear them down and when you build a sizeable lead by the third quarter you can start letting Barker run a few things to get ready for Florida. Ne needs a decent amount of reps in live game with everyone to be better prepared for UF. If it stays close though...run run run and let Week 2 handle itself.
 
CB3UK

CB3UK

Hall of Famer
Apr 15, 2012
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DACats86 said:
I lost you when you started using loose for lose...
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Easy memory trick for the folks who do suffer from this irksome spelling gaffe.....

.....the two O's in loose look like hooters (also double O) :lol:
 
S

Soupbean

All-American
Jan 19, 2007
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Cazwheel1072 said:
Pound the rock.

It is that simple for this game.
Click to expand...

This ^^^ is my thought exactly. To the OP's premise I do think pressure or lack of plays a roll in any game and it is always a plus to be on the "nothing to lose" side, but it is rare when we are the ones that have a strength advantage in the run game and should be able to control things from that side which gives us a little more control over how things turn out IMO.
 
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1Blouman

All-Conference
Aug 21, 2010
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it's not that they have nothing to lose. It's that they believe they can win the game. They are
playing UK after all.
 
Q

Question.mark

Freshman
Apr 12, 2009
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Trubluepopeye said:
I'm not against playing this game, just not as the season opener? Let's open with a easier game and get our feet wet before we jump in to sink or swim? With how the season ended last year, this is certainly Stoops most important opener of his 4 years here ?
Click to expand...
Pretty sure we had UAB scheduled for this game a few years back, but they got rid of their football team, and we had to scramble to find a team to play. Didnt really have a choice..
 
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jgolfparker

Sophomore
Apr 9, 2007
993
151
0
well it wasnt so miss,, and only could be a SEC team...but both on the road,, I dont think so.........
 
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