The Kentucky Offense Feels Like the Denver Broncos

Why is everything so hard?

It’s a question NFL fans have asked for much of the season while watching Russell Wilson sputter with Nathaniel Hackett in Denver. It’s now a question Kentucky fans are asking about a former Denver offensive coordinator, Rich Scangarello.

Ahead of the Wildcats’ Saturday night matchup at Neyland Stadium, Tennessee had college football’s 130th-ranked pass defense, allowing 330 passing yards per game. With a future NFL quarterback under center, Will Levis passed for only 98 yards in a blowout loss.

Entering the final month of the 2022 regular season, nothing feels easy for a talented Kentucky offense. The same can be said for the NFL team in Denver, whose offensive struggles have become one of the most talked about storylines in the NFL. The parallels between the Cats and Broncos are striking.

High Expectations and a Loaded Roster

Before the season the Broncos had the eighth-best odds to win the Super Bowl. Kentucky was picked to finish second in the SEC East, a place in the pecking order that typically falls within the Top 10 nationally. The hype was based in sound data. A stout defense was getting help from talented skill players and seemingly an upgrade at quarterback.

Courtland Sutton and Tayvion Robinson brought experience, while KJ Hamler and Barion Brown provided some young, big-play boom. Running back Javonte Williams had pro bowl potential, until an injury sent him to the IR. Like Denver, Kentucky struggled to find the right formula for rushing success without Chris Rodriguez.

The defense has remained stout, but the quarterback play has not lived up to lofty expectations. That is why in Vegas the over has hit only one time for each team through eight games.

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No Easy Throws in Kentucky or Denver

There are similarities in the struggles between Russell Wilson and Will Levis. Once weapons with their legs, they’re now moving in the wrong direction. Only a handful of QBs have been sacked more than Wilson, and the same can be said for Levis.

Each player has a new play-caller and things just don’t look smooth. Something is off. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what is statistically, but as I tried to forget about the loss to Tennessee while watching the Broncos in London, I was experiencing a similar feeling. Nothing comes easily for either team.

Last year everyone and their brother knew Will Levis was throwing the ball to Wan’Dale Robinson, yet he still got schemed open. Rich Scangarello isn’t giving Will Levis easy completions. Nothing is coming easily. Scoring points should not be this hard, yet the Cats are only posting 17 per game against Power Five foes. That’s not good enough.

Expectations can distort reality. Regardless of preseason hype, the reality for both Broncos and Wildcats’ fans is a lot of bad offense. It’s hard to watch your favorite team when they can’t make easy plays to score points.