The Three Best Things from The Mark Stoops Show

 

1. Mizzou is Like 2016 Kentucky

That's what Mark Stoops is telling his team to keep them motivated against a team whose only win is against FCS Missouri State.  Coming off a Bye Week, he's telling his team that Missouri looks a lot like they did last year. "We knew sitting in our meeting room that we had a pretty good team, we just hadn't put it all together yet and hadn't played really well in certain areas.  But everybody in our building believed that we would get it corrected.  I'm sure they feel the same way.  I was very quick to point it out to our team, the way we started and the way we finished." Stoops added, "We expect to get their best shot."

2. Is the Offense Too Conservative?

The Kentucky head coach addressed what the BBN has talked about more than anything: offensive playcalling when the Cats have the lead.  There are two things he wanted to specifically point out.  Hindsight is always 20/20 and most importantly, "You never play to lose a game."

@UKCoachStoops : "We, as coaches, second-guess ourselves all the time..." WATCH: https://t.co/ws7wv5ISAZ pic.twitter.com/Te5wtcSmeb

– UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) October 2, 2017

@UKCoachStoops : "You never play to lose a game." -Stoops addressing conservative play calling

WATCH: https://t.co/ws7wv5ISAZ pic.twitter.com/L1kK3TQMor – UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) October 2, 2017

3. Guts Block Punts

Playcalling is a great combination of preparation and guts.  Stoops almost didn't try to block the punt that set up UK's game-winning touchdown.  The return team had set the block up well throughout the game, but Stoops was hesitant to take the risk at first.  Then his instincts kicked in and he went with his gut. "A very wise coach told me one time a long time ago that's always stuck with me, you gotta have a great plan, but you also have to have a good gut."