Since Mark Stoops strolled onto campus and we snuck a peek at the schedule for this year, we knew it could be rough. Stoops will take this program to new heights once he settles in and his recruits roam the field like hawks in search of food, but this year there have been struggles. We are still searching for that one game or maybe more where the Cats could pull out the upset in the SEC. They had a shot against South Carolina and the old wrinkly gremlin that is Steve Spurrier, but that wasn't meant to be. And hey, we scored against Alabama so that might be an upset all in itself. We should have won at Mississippi State. Now with Whitlow's health in question the second half of the year is upon the Cats and they are still searching for that signature win in Stoops' first year in the Bluegrass. Who could it be?
Missouri
At the beginning of the year many fans looked at this game as a potential win for the Cats and maybe even a chance to beat a down SEC team. Not so fast! (Lee Corso voice) The Tigers have been very impressive this year and are in all likely hood going to come into this game undefeated and ranked in the top 5. After beating Georgia they have gained national attention as a possible BCS bowl team even while sustaining the loss of their starting quarterback James Franklin. While Franklin is done for the year, Mizzou continues to roll and experts are predicting them to land in the SEC Championship game if they run the table the rest of the way. While this may seem like an unlikely win now, it would be the biggest with the Tigers ranked so high. It would take a strong defensive effort to stop the Tiger's offense and their pass rush is impeccable, so the Cats would need Whitlow under center to pull off the stunner.
Vandy
Last year the Cats were simply waxed by a Vandy team many thought the Cats could hold their own against. This year the same thoughts precede the game with hopefully a different outcome. This year's Vandy team lost to Ole Miss in a close game to kick off the year and has been mostly solid the rest of the year on offense especially. Coach James Franklin has done at Vandy what many hope Stoops will be able to accomplish in a year or two at Kentucky and beating the Commodores on their home turf would certainly qualify as a signature win if pulled off. The defense would have to win this game. The the linebackers and defensive backs specifically and would have to shut down WR Jordan Matthews, one of the best receivers in the SEC. In fact, he just became the all time leading receiver in the history of the SEC.
Georgia
With the Cats traveling to Georgia for this game it makes it twice as hard for the Cats to steal a win, but not impossible. The Bulldogs have faltered recently after a loss to Missouri and another to Vandy. Before those losses they almost were upset by Tennessee and very well could have lost three SEC games in a row. By now we realize Georgia isn't the national title contender that many thought going into the year and seem somewhat vulnerable. If the Cats get healthy and can pressure Aaron Murray in his last season in Athens, they could pull off a major upset. Beating Georgia might be the most satisfying win for Cats fans since at one point they were considered a contender to win the SEC. Make no mistake, they are better than Kentucky but by no means are they Alabama. It's possible. Stop Todd Gurley and get a few breaks to go the right way and the Cats will be in that game.
Tennessee
The Vols come to Commonwealth this year for the first time since Matt Roark stole their souls, and they do so with an up and down record this year. After getting slaughtered by Oregon earlier this year they also lost to Florida and Georgia at home and will likely lose to the Crimson Tide this week as well. If that happens as planned then the Vols will need to take a win in Commonwealth just as much as the Cats to save their season. Tennessee has been far from impressive this year and their offensive line is prone to give up sacks with their secondary being their only real strength in SEC play. The Cats have struggled against good defensive backs this year but if they beat the Vols it will be on the ground. Raymond Sanders and JoJo Kemp will be running wild if the Cats want to pull this one out. (ground raid!) If the run game can keep the quarterbacks from having to make too many throws down field then this is the most winnable game left on the schedule other than Alabama State. For my money, I say this game gives Stoops his first SEC win and the signature victory in his first year. Book it.
Go Cats.
@DaveyRudolphKSR
At the beginning of the year many fans looked at this game as a potential win for the Cats and maybe even a chance to beat a down SEC team. Not so fast! (Lee Corso voice) The Tigers have been very impressive this year and are in all likely hood going to come into this game undefeated and ranked in the top 5. After beating Georgia they have gained national attention as a possible BCS bowl team even while sustaining the loss of their starting quarterback James Franklin. While Franklin is done for the year, Mizzou continues to roll and experts are predicting them to land in the SEC Championship game if they run the table the rest of the way. While this may seem like an unlikely win now, it would be the biggest with the Tigers ranked so high. It would take a strong defensive effort to stop the Tiger's offense and their pass rush is impeccable, so the Cats would need Whitlow under center to pull off the stunner.
Vandy
Last year the Cats were simply waxed by a Vandy team many thought the Cats could hold their own against. This year the same thoughts precede the game with hopefully a different outcome. This year's Vandy team lost to Ole Miss in a close game to kick off the year and has been mostly solid the rest of the year on offense especially. Coach James Franklin has done at Vandy what many hope Stoops will be able to accomplish in a year or two at Kentucky and beating the Commodores on their home turf would certainly qualify as a signature win if pulled off. The defense would have to win this game. The the linebackers and defensive backs specifically and would have to shut down WR Jordan Matthews, one of the best receivers in the SEC. In fact, he just became the all time leading receiver in the history of the SEC.
Georgia
With the Cats traveling to Georgia for this game it makes it twice as hard for the Cats to steal a win, but not impossible. The Bulldogs have faltered recently after a loss to Missouri and another to Vandy. Before those losses they almost were upset by Tennessee and very well could have lost three SEC games in a row. By now we realize Georgia isn't the national title contender that many thought going into the year and seem somewhat vulnerable. If the Cats get healthy and can pressure Aaron Murray in his last season in Athens, they could pull off a major upset. Beating Georgia might be the most satisfying win for Cats fans since at one point they were considered a contender to win the SEC. Make no mistake, they are better than Kentucky but by no means are they Alabama. It's possible. Stop Todd Gurley and get a few breaks to go the right way and the Cats will be in that game.
Tennessee
The Vols come to Commonwealth this year for the first time since Matt Roark stole their souls, and they do so with an up and down record this year. After getting slaughtered by Oregon earlier this year they also lost to Florida and Georgia at home and will likely lose to the Crimson Tide this week as well. If that happens as planned then the Vols will need to take a win in Commonwealth just as much as the Cats to save their season. Tennessee has been far from impressive this year and their offensive line is prone to give up sacks with their secondary being their only real strength in SEC play. The Cats have struggled against good defensive backs this year but if they beat the Vols it will be on the ground. Raymond Sanders and JoJo Kemp will be running wild if the Cats want to pull this one out. (ground raid!) If the run game can keep the quarterbacks from having to make too many throws down field then this is the most winnable game left on the schedule other than Alabama State. For my money, I say this game gives Stoops his first SEC win and the signature victory in his first year. Book it.
Go Cats.
@DaveyRudolphKSR
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