What I see about this game against UL

[Levibooty]

The bright spots in UL's season stats are run defense(17th), total defense (17th), and 15 interceptions for the season, twice the number we have had. They have a fair pass offense (38th) and a fair pass defense (35th).

The other side is they do not perform well in the Red Zone on either side of the line both ranked at (78th), they have had 20 more penalties over the season than we have, and their running game is poor (94th).

My take:

Play a clean game with few penalties, throw no interceptions, UL feeds off interceptions for energy and confidence,

Field position--make them drive the field which will increase chance for penalties and turnovers, force them towards our strength-- RZ defense(15th).

We will need to maintain a balance on offense and keep the ball in our possession without turnovers.

ST No mistakes.

.

 

[C.W.1]

I would love it if UK has no interceptions and few penalties but it's not like UK has to play a perfect game to win. UofL's rush defense is overrated. They would not have that high of a ranking if they played UK's schedule. Last year they came into the game with a top 5 rushing defense and UK ran for quite a few yards on them and Georgia ran for over 400 yards on them in the bowl game. PItt just ran for a bunch of yards on them and ran the ball right at them. It helped Pitt, however, that they have an elite WR in Boyd and he also hurt UofL's defense. Pitt always seems to have a big and good offensive line so we will see how well UK runs on them. I do think UK has better RBs because Pitt was playing their third string RB, although he looked good.

UofL's pass rush looks more troubling than the rush defense. DeVonte Fields was the one player who stood out on their defense last game with his burst on pass rushing. The DE (Young?) has looked really good at times too and had a big game against FSU and one-time UK commitment Derrick Kelly who was starting at RT for FSU.

 

[Levibooty]

Over the course of a season when you limit teams to 121 yards a game that is not something to ignore. I hope we do run all over UL but there is no overwhelming statistical reason to think that will happen. If it does then we stand a really good chance to win.

We will have to throw the ball more than we did against Charlotte. If we let UL stack the box it will be tough sledding.

 

[C.W.1]

Over the course of a season when you limit teams to 121 yards a game that is not something to ignore. I hope we do run all over UL but there is no overwhelming statistical reason to think that will happen. If it does then we stand a really good chance to win.

We will have to throw the ball more than we did against Charlotte. If we let UL stack the box it will be tough sledding.

Didn't mean to suggest that we will run all over them. My point with Pitt's offensive line is that they were good and UK may not be as successful running the ball. Also, the point with Boyd being an elite WR is that UofL couldn't stack the box against Pitt.

However, UofL would give up a lot more than 121 yards per game if they played a SEC schedule. Boston College and Wake is like playing Vandy twice on your schedule as far a padding defensive stats. UofL's rushing defense was top 5 going into UK game last year and I'm pretty sure UK ran for 150 yards on them and Georgia ran for over 400 yards.

 

[C.W.1]

A big key will UofL's rushing game. They have really struggled to run the ball all year, especially at the RB position when Jackson is in shotgun the entire time. When Jackson has played, almost all their rushing has come from the QB position. They've run the ball better from the RB position when Bolin has been in there taking snaps from under center.

 

[Stretch98_rivals101536]

Actually, per the box score UGA's rushing total in last season's Belk Bowl was 292 yards. Nick Chubb ran for 266 with a long of 85.

 

[Johnfarrel]

Pit ran all over UL Saturday.

 

[ukcatsfan1]

Actually, per the box score UGA's rushing total in last season's Belk Bowl was 292 yards. Nick Chubb ran for 266 with a long of 85.

UK will need a "chubby" effort on Saturday if they want the "W"

 

[kypecos]

So the best strategy is to "force" UofL into our red zone? Is this Stoops posting this?

 

[Bluetick2100]

So the best strategy is to "force" UofL into our red zone? Is this Stoops posting this?

This post is why we need a idiotic post button.

 

[C.W.1]

Actually, per the box score UGA's rushing total in last season's Belk Bowl was 292 yards. Nick Chubb ran for 266 with a long of 85.

OK, I was wrong about the 400 yards. Guess it just seemed like that because UofL's defense had been so highly touted all year.

The only common opponent UK and UofL have played is Auburn. Auburn had about 150 yards in rushing against UK and had about 190 yards rushing against UofL. Jeremy Johnson only had 11 yards rushing against UofL so the different QB doesn't explain it. That's my point. Playing Samford, BC and Wake Forest really padded UofL's stats. BC and Wake make Vandy look like the Pony Express.

 

[Sin The]

It will be very interesting to see who UL starts at QB. Given UKs challenges this year with dual threat QBs I would not be surprised to see Petrino go that route.

 

[docholiday51]

I think it is important for us to play well early,we can't dig ourselves a hole and try to climb out.When we have gotten behind early we tend to fold our tent and go home(quit)

The defense has played decently in the past 3 games but special teams and the offense hasn't held up their end of the deal and has put us in very difficult situations.

We have a good shot at this one,it comes down to how bad we want the game,we have been in season defining games a half dozen times this year and we have come up short most of those times.

We are at home, playing a team with whom we can compete,we have several clearly defined goals to play for,how much character is contained in the locker room?

 

[Bluetick2100]

We are at home, playing a team with whom we can compete,we have several clearly defined goals to play for,how much character is contained in the locker room?

Says it all

 

[BlueRaider22]

On offense we need to find out what works and do it over, and over, and over again. That seems like a "duh?" statement, but it's not one we've seen this yr. We've seen this yr that we try to force plays to happen rather than just go with the flow.

For example:
-Against ULL - Boom avg 13.5 yds/carry. Kemp avg 11.3 yds/carry. Horton 4.7/yds carry. Yet, we only had 19 carries between these 3........and we attempted to throw the ball 34 times.

-Against AU - we averaged 4.2 yds/carry rushing over 33 carries. We attempted to throw it 44 times.

-Vandy - Boom and Jojo avg 8.8 and 6.6 yds/carry respectively.......20 carries between the two.




Now, I'm not advocating that we should be a run team in the future.......and I fully acknowledge that our OC is an Air Raid guy and that Stoops wants to run an Air Raid offense. But we've struggled throughout the yr to execute the passing game.......while some of our best playmakers are sitting back craving more carries when they are executing well. We have to be more flexible and sensitive to the game flow. If passes work, then stick to it. If the running game works, then feed into it.

 

[docholiday51]

On offense we need to find out what works and do it over, and over, and over again. That seems like a "duh?" statement, but it's not one we've seen this yr. We've seen this yr that we try to force plays to happen rather than just go with the flow.

For example:
-Against ULL - Boom avg 13.5 yds/carry. Kemp avg 11.3 yds/carry. Horton 4.7/yds carry. Yet, we only had 19 carries between these 3........and we attempted to throw the ball 34 times.

-Against AU - we averaged 4.2 yds/carry rushing over 33 carries. We attempted to throw it 44 times.

-Vandy - Boom and Jojo avg 8.8 and 6.6 yds/carry respectively.......20 carries between the two.




Now, I'm not advocating that we should be a run team in the future.......and I fully acknowledge that our OC is an Air Raid guy and that Stoops wants to run an Air Raid offense. But we've struggled throughout the yr to execute the passing game.......while some of our best playmakers are sitting back craving more carries when they are executing well. We have to be more flexible and sensitive to the game flow. If passes work, then stick to it. If the running game works, then feed into it.

Are we really an 'air raid' offense? It seems we have struggled to find an identity of exactly who we are for most of the year.Do we have a personnel issue,a talent issue or an execution issue or do we have an OC trying to do one thing and a HC wanting to do another?It has seemed to me from time to time we aren't sure what we are trying to be.What are your thoughts on this?

 

[kb22stang]

It's not really rocket science. We're an air raid team without an offensive line that can pass block, but is better at run blocking. You can force a concept just to show fans that you want to toss it around. You need to play to what works.

 

[BlueRaider22]

Are we really an 'air raid' offense? It seems we have struggled to find an identity of exactly who we are for most of the year.Do we have a personnel issue,a talent issue or an execution issue or do we have an OC trying to do one thing and a HC wanting to do another?It has seemed to me from time to time we aren't sure what we are trying to be.What are your thoughts on this?

Stoops wants an Air Raid offense that is rather flexible to the personnel that you have. Meaning, that if you can't run it, then you throw it more.....vice versa.....i.e, you play to your strengths. Stoops has hired 2 different Air Raid OC's. They want to have an explosive offense that is fairly well balanced and is hard to stop, but the personnel just isn't ready to execute this.....whether it is talent, youth, coaching, etc. We just can't complete passes due to inaccurate throws, poor protection, or poor play from WR's......but instead of relying more on our RB's (who are our best offensive playmakers) we choose to force the pass.

I think we'll get there within the next few yrs.....meaning, that I think you'll see the offensive blossom into what they want. But for right now, our offense is what it is......and unfortunately we refuse to play to our strengths.

 

[BlueRaider22]

It's important to note what the "Air Raid" offense is. It is the incorporation of a few key concepts. It is not throwing the ball 70% of the time just because you feel like it. Oklahoma State, Oklahoma (this yr under Riley), WVU all claim to run the Air Raid offense. Technically they do. (all be an evolved version of it)

But the words conjure up thoughts of Mumme and Leach which throw the ball >70% of the time. That "type" of Air Raid is very few and far in between.

 

[TeoJ]

So the best strategy is to "force" UofL into our red zone? Is this Stoops posting this?

Amazing that BB fans keep posting in football posts.

 

[tmuck]

There's a UL fan that goes by kypecos on their Scout board, and by reading his previous posts, i'm pretty sure we have another pathetic UL troll trying to pose as a UK fan. Should've picked a different username, dummy.

 

[docholiday51]

It's important to note what the "Air Raid" offense is. It is the incorporation of a few key concepts. It is not throwing the ball 70% of the time just because you feel like it. Oklahoma State, Oklahoma (this yr under Riley), WVU all claim to run the Air Raid offense. Technically they do. (all be an evolved version of it)

But the words conjure up thoughts of Mumme and Leach which throw the ball >70% of the time. That "type" of Air Raid is very few and far in between.

Thanks for the reply, much of the Mumme air raid was predicated on the short quick passing game that got the ball out to different receivers in space.The O line didn't have to hold a block too long for that to take place.This offensive line as we know aren't world beaters but they should be able to execute blocks to make that happen.Maybe the bigger issue is that Baker,Conrad and others have dropped a ton of passes this year that would have made the offense look better,also Towles may not be suited for the air raid(read,get the ball out quickly and hit people in stride in space)We have caught few passes out of the backfield this year,I doubt anyone (on the board) could tell us who among Boom,Kemp or Horton is the best receiver out of the backfield.

 

[U Go UK_rivals23138]

Simple; play like we are capable and we win. I hope the crowd gets involved. No matter what our record is and how disappointing the season has been, a win over U of Brothel would be fantastic. GBB!

 

[NCukcat62]

Barker is going to have to be great game manager. And what I mean by that is no crazy throws and try to get completions between 5-15 yds. That being said our run game is going to have be superb in order for Barker to feel relaxed. Our defense has to limit the big plays especially with QB scrambles. Their run game scares me the least minus when Jackson is in.

 

[kb22stang]

Thanks for the reply, much of the Mumme air raid was predicated on the short quick passing game that got the ball out to different receivers in space.The O line didn't have to hold a block too long for that to take place.This offensive line as we know aren't world beaters but they should be able to execute blocks to make that happen.Maybe the bigger issue is that Baker,Conrad and others have dropped a ton of passes this year that would have made the offense look better,also Towles may not be suited for the air raid(read,get the ball out quickly and hit people in stride in space)We have caught few passes out of the backfield this year,I doubt anyone (on the board) could tell us who among Boom,Kemp or Horton is the best receiver out of the backfield.

I think we've tried that a decent amount this year, but when you don't have to protect against the deep ball it's far too easy to jump the short routes. Those short routes work well when you've got the defense on their heels giving some cushion to the WRs. But without pass protection the defense knows it can play press coverage, or close to it, without risking too much on the back end.

 

[JHB4UK]

It will be very interesting to see who UL starts at QB. Given UKs challenges this year with dual threat QBs I would not be surprised to see Petrino go that route.

They will roll with Jackson & Bonnafon doing running scrambing QB stuff. And then if that doesnt work and they are trailing they will bring in Bolin from the bullpen to have him do drop back passing to bring them back.

 

[JHB4UK]

Are we really an 'air raid' offense? It seems we have struggled to find an identity of exactly who we are for most of the year.

Maybe after our last game we have found it. we need to have our QB under center and hand off to Boom & Kemp deep in the back of an I formation with a big bruising fullback in front of them. mix in some play action off of that to the WR's & Conrad.

 

[BlueRaider22]

Michigan St pulled a stunner when they brought out a back up QB.....and only threw the ball 12 times. They just crammed it down OSU's throat.

Does Matt Roark still have any elligibility left? Maybe we can do the same.....bring Towles off the bench, don't let him throw, and run the ball 50x.

 

[Glenn Fohr]

not a bad idea to bring Towles off the bench and ground and pound with him. He may get some confidence and have one of those Miss St. games. ????

 

[BlueRaider22]

^No joke, he'd be an interesting Wildcat. Since he's a QB first, he'd be a threat to throw.

 

[JHB4UK]

not a bad idea to bring Towles off the bench and ground and pound with him. He may get some confidence and have one of those Miss St. games. ????

uh, nnnnnno. horrible idea actually. why would him in that role be any better than Barker. or have you forgot the whole 'offense plays harder for Barker lost confidence in Towles' thing?

 

[cookscats]

Petrino feeds off the run game, control that and as said he will have the scrambling quarterbacks doing there thing. Dawson as our coordinator has to get this offense going with good game planing and play calling. UofL defense will bite on where Boom is going, use that to our advantage.....

 

[BlueRaider22]

uh, nnnnnno. horrible idea actually. why would him in that role be any better than Barker. or have you forgot the whole 'offense plays harder for Barker lost confidence in Towles' thing?

I think he was meaning in a situational aspect.....basically to add another wrinkle to the anemic offense.

 

[oboroCATfan]

I guarantee UL packs the box and plays a tight man coverage on the outside and dares us to throw over the top. We will have to hit some deep throws to stay in this game because I don't think we will be able to consistently run the ball against as many guys as they put in the box. It will also be difficult to complete those 5 yard quick routes when they are going to be sitting on everything.

 

[Deeeefense]

I guarantee UL packs the box and plays a tight man coverage on the outside and dares us to throw over the top. We will have to hit some deep throws to stay in this game because I don't think we will be able to consistently run the ball against as many guys as they put in the box. It will also be difficult to complete those 5 yard quick routes when they are going to be sitting on everything.

If so it will be interesting to see how Barker does with the downfield throws, provided of course he gets enough time to throw them. Conditions last week did not allow for any downfield throws.

 

[bigbluegrog]

Petrino feeds off the run game, control that and as said he will have the scrambling quarterbacks doing there thing. Dawson as our coordinator has to get this offense going with good game planing and play calling. UofL defense will bite on where Boom is going, use that to our advantage.....

Agree. Field position will be critical. Need to start out fast if we receive the opening kick. At least get a few 1st downs and make them drive the entire field vs. half.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Maybe after our last game we have found it. we need to have our QB under center and hand off to Boom & Kemp deep in the back of an I formation with a big bruising fullback in front of them. mix in some play action off of that to the WR's & Conrad.

Early in the season, we had success doing this (but mainly out of the IWB). Then we somehow forgot about it. Now lets hope we find it again.

Run the ball. Limit mistakes. Avoid crushing TO's/big plays (pick 6, special teams TD) and we win this game.

 

[DaBossIsBack]

I fully expect our game plan to be to come out and establish the run and then play action off that. I know. Easier said than done. If our line comes out with the ferocity it takes to win those battles in the trenches then we can win this game. If they don't then it will be a long day. This game, like most, will be won in the trenches.

 

[Levibooty]

I think I would like to see some quick slants, and a dragging TE on some play action as a focus. The mesh routes are the ones I think are susceptible to interceptions for an inexperienced QB.

Weather looks to be ugly again.