Take Two: UK-EMU Predictions
Every week Cats Illustrated writers Jeff Drummond and Justin Rowland discuss their game takes and predictions before Kentucky’s next contest.
This week the topic is UK-EMU, which takes place at 7:30 E.T., with the 1-1 Wildcats looking to move back above .500. As of the time of publication Kentucky is a 24.5-point favorite.
What are the main reasons for optimism on Saturday for Kentucky fans?
Jeff Drummond: Eastern Michigan is a struggling football team early in the season, having been blown out 52-27 by Texas State in the season opener and losing to FCS opponent Long Island 28-23 last week on its home field. That alone is enough to give Kentucky fans all the optimism they should need. If you want to dip into the stats, EMU ranks 131 out of 133 FBS teams in defending the run. If there’s one thing the Cats do really well, it’s run the football. But I also think UK could get a boost from moving to redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley. We should see a better overall offensive team this week.
Justin Rowland: The thing that stands out right away is the amount of rushing yards the Eagles have given up so far this year. Maybe Texas State and Long Island just had great days, but more than 300 yards per game on the ground against those teams is a theme that I haven’t been able to escape all week. The hopeful thing there is that running the ball should open up more opportunities in the passing game and that’s the operation Kentucky needs to refine before South Carolina. Building confidence on the offensive side of the ball going into the bye week while staying healthy is the best thing that could come out of this week. The Boley factor makes the game even more interesting than it otherwise would be given the line, which is heavily in the Cats’ favor.
What are the main reasons for UK to be concerned?
Drummond: This is what I have labeled the “Human Nature Bowl” over the years. No matter how many times coaches stress that players need to bring the same kind of intensity as they would against a conference foe, we have seen more than a handful of sluggish performances in this spot over the years. The Cats can’t just show up and go through the motions.
Rowland: Exactly what Jeff said so well above. Barring an upset, you also don’t want to see boo birds come out if the offense has a bad showing or the operation looks ugly in the first half. Responding to the loss last week that way would be a really bad sign and given how much roster turnover there has been this year you can’t take for granted how the team is going to respond. Of course, none of that is a prediction that UK will struggle to respond. It’s just something you always have to be on guard for in this situation. Because EMU’s defense has struggled so much this year it’s hard for me to think there is too much reason to think the Cats are on upset watch as it’s traditionally understood.
What’s your game prediction and who will be Kentucky’s MVP?
Drummond: Kentucky 44, Eastern Michigan 13 – The Cats dominate with their ground attack — 100-plus rushing days for both Seth McGowan and Dante Dowdell, take your pick for MVP — Cutter Boley gives hope for the passing game, and the defense holds the Eagles in check.
Rowland: Kentucky 56, Eastern Michigan 23. There have been a lot of high scores across college football recently and I think Kentucky joins the party this week. The offense needs a breakout and this seems like just the opponent to do that against. As for picking an MVP, you could go any number of directions. I’ll say the staff finds ways to get the ball to Ja’Mori Maclin, although Boley and Gilmore seem to have a good rapport. I think Boley will be able to capitalize on some receivers getting loose on the back end with the Eagles so concerned with slowing the run.