Bye week notes, thoughts and opinions

Joker Phillips and Randy Sanders have their hands full right now. UK’s offense currently ranks 118th in scoring offense (13 PPG) and 118th in total offense (229 YPG). Is there hope this team can turn it around this season? Randy Sanders told the media, “There’s no guarantee’s. We’ve still got the same players.” While that’s an honest statement, the Cats schedule lightens up a bit too. In the past three weeks, UK has played Florida, LSU and South Carolina. Entering the season, most expected the Cats to lose those games. However, no one expected UK’s offense to be this bad. Morgan Newton has struggled and Maxwell Smith has struggled even more. The staff has told Newton they are going to stick with him the rest of the way. So unless Newton is injured, don’t look for Smith to be running on to the field anytime soon. Could we see Bookie Cobbins? Maybe. I’m torn on the decision to pull his redshirt. However, if Cobbins gives the Cats a chance to win or move the chains, I think he has to play. Some would argue it’s too late for Cobbins to play and the staff shouldn’t burn his redshirt. However, there are winnable games and if Cobbins can spark the offense, he has to play. Should the staff trade six games of his freshman season for the possibility of a full fifth-year? That is what’s at stake for Bookie and the staff. The team suffered a blow when Josh Clemons injured his knee and underwent surgery this week. He will miss the remainder of the season. Clemons appeared to have a lock on the starting running back job since he took over for Raymond Sanders. The good news is Sanders is now back (after surgery) and appears to be running well. The Cats have four running backs very capable of carrying the football. It’s time for Joker Phillips to commit to the running game. UK’s offensive line should be 100% healthy entering the Jacksonville State game, so there are no more excuses. Based on feedback I have received, the Cats had a great week of practice and appear to be hungry. Contrary to some opinions, I’m told the team has not given up. Mitch Barnhart showed the entire Big Blue Nation he has Joker’s back right now. He said Joker would “absolutely” be UK’s coach next season. Let’s worry about next year after this season, but can Joker really turn it around this year? It really depends on play calling and game planning. UK’s defense has shown the ability to stand up and force stops when they have to. The problem is UK’s offense has been so bad the defense is wearing down in the second half. It may not be pretty, but it can be effective. The Cats must commit to the running game (even when it’s not exactly working). Why? They may hit a big play and it will give the defense a chance to stay fresh. Time of possession is huge and the Cats defense needs a break. It may also force opposing defenses to stack the box and allow Morgan Newton to stretch the field with his arm. The Cats must win the turnover margin and field position battle. Many football games have been won simply by winning the field position battle. Remember Ole Miss last year? The Cats should have won, but they gave Ole Miss too many short fields and they capitalized. The Cats have to find a way to do just that. Regardless of what Mitch Barnhart said this week about Joker Phillips’ future, there are still six games to be played. However, if the team continues it’s downward spiral, Mitch Barnhart may wish he never made those comments this week. As always, check out Bleed Blue Kentucky or you can follow me on Twitter. Please help me with my quest to 2,000 followers.