What are you thoughts going into the last game of the regular season. On the road to lexington. RIVALRY week
Is UK better then their record. Or just as bad
- Thread starter jalovell23
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Since UK is not eligible to go to a bowl...I wonder how many guys will opt out of playing next week
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If UK’s defense plays inspired football like they did in several games this year, they can definitely beat us. Our OL is merely okay.
What gives me a lot of hope is that we have a running back who has those special gifts that we haven’t seen since Lamar Jackson played for us in 2017.
Brown had a simple 9 yard run for a first down in the second half that put goose bumps on my arms. ESPN had a replay from the south end zone (where I used to watch Lamar) on the play, and I stopped it and watched it again, just so I could point out to my wife that the move, where Brown seemed to disappear from one running lane and reappear an instant later in another, was exactly what it was like watching Lamar.
Brown can be the difference maker in this game, IF our OL is good enough to do a halfway decent job blocking that excellent UK defensive front.
What gives me a lot of hope is that we have a running back who has those special gifts that we haven’t seen since Lamar Jackson played for us in 2017.
Brown had a simple 9 yard run for a first down in the second half that put goose bumps on my arms. ESPN had a replay from the south end zone (where I used to watch Lamar) on the play, and I stopped it and watched it again, just so I could point out to my wife that the move, where Brown seemed to disappear from one running lane and reappear an instant later in another, was exactly what it was like watching Lamar.
Brown can be the difference maker in this game, IF our OL is good enough to do a halfway decent job blocking that excellent UK defensive front.
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Makes it even sweeter. Maybe our team can spoil their day.
Saw this move Life from the Crunch Zone. Your right Push! Got to keep him in the NIL Lottery coming up!
Oh I've watched them a lot (hoping to see them lose) their defense is legit. They also have a very good running back that could give us a hard time. Their QB will likely be the worst one we face all year so that a positive, although, they do have 2 big time receivers if he can get them the ball. They also have Barion Brown who can break a kickoff or punt for a touchdown as we all well know from last year..
We lose these games because we get intimidated. Pissing that game away last year hurt us a lot. It could've got the monkey off our back and gave us confidence going in there this year.
As I've said since day one this season, I'll believe us beating them when I see it. #Brohmneedstowinthisone
We lose these games because we get intimidated. Pissing that game away last year hurt us a lot. It could've got the monkey off our back and gave us confidence going in there this year.
As I've said since day one this season, I'll believe us beating them when I see it. #Brohmneedstowinthisone
Kentucky has talent, we have a better team. We had the better team last year and lost, we can’t shoot ourselves in the foot like last year and give them hope. We need to punch them early and often and not let up.
Louisville lost to Stanford. Yes, they can lose to UK. Look around the country pure chaos with teams losing left and right. Their roster is as good or better than Louisville’s roster.
Even with yesterday I still have no faith in the defense. Very unlikely Louisville puts up 30
on them. My guess is 20-24 points. Even though KY hasn’t put up that many points they probably will against our defense.
Even with yesterday I still have no faith in the defense. Very unlikely Louisville puts up 30
on them. My guess is 20-24 points. Even though KY hasn’t put up that many points they probably will against our defense.
Agreed; Brohm and these kids simply need to keep focused and execute; if we do, it won’t matter what the cats do.
Once it was evident that UK was unlikely to be Bowl eligible, rumors started circulating that several NFL draft and transfer candidates would not finish the season if they lost at Texas.
Once it was evident that UK was unlikely to be Bowl eligible, rumors started circulating that several NFL draft and transfer candidates would not finish the season if they lost at Texas.
UK has played a really tough schedule. They just been over matched on offense. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Boley get a start. True freshman but they really like him.
They will come to play. It is the one game if they win their fans will forgive them for awful season and talk themselves into the future is bright. Lose and it will be a miserable offseason.
Same applies to Louisville. Really good season or a failure that is how fans will view it depending on outcome.
They will come to play. It is the one game if they win their fans will forgive them for awful season and talk themselves into the future is bright. Lose and it will be a miserable offseason.
Same applies to Louisville. Really good season or a failure that is how fans will view it depending on outcome.
I believe we have positioned our football program where it is essential that we beat UK this season. I thought we beat them last year in every respect, except where it counts …… the final score.
I am sure there are many explanations for our loss to Stanford, but I remain convinced that Brohm “took his foot of the accelerator” when we went up by 15 points, thinking we could run the clock out in the 4th quarter. Jeff did the same thing in the 4th quarter at Death Valley, and despite giving Clemson every opportunity to get back into the game ….. running the clock worked out and we won.
I hope Jeff learned a lesson; specifically that every offensive possession should be about first downs and scoring points regardless of having a comfortable lead. If he expects the players to remain focused, he must do the same and avoid sending any messages about running the clock too soon.
I am sure there are many explanations for our loss to Stanford, but I remain convinced that Brohm “took his foot of the accelerator” when we went up by 15 points, thinking we could run the clock out in the 4th quarter. Jeff did the same thing in the 4th quarter at Death Valley, and despite giving Clemson every opportunity to get back into the game ….. running the clock worked out and we won.
I hope Jeff learned a lesson; specifically that every offensive possession should be about first downs and scoring points regardless of having a comfortable lead. If he expects the players to remain focused, he must do the same and avoid sending any messages about running the clock too soon.
Hopefully the biggest difference between this year and last year's kitties is that they don't have Coen as their OC.
In the two years Jeff has been the coach he has shown he's actually pretty conservative when he's got a lead which is one of the reasons why you don't see us really blowing the lid off a team. When you look back at the wins over Va Tech and Duke last year as well as Notre Dame they looked a lot like the Clemson game this year. Multiple score leads, take the air out of the ball and increase leads on the foot of your kicker.
The UK game fit that template but people spend too much time convincing themselves we lost because "Brohm took the foot off the accelerator". Fact is JJ Weaver made two huge plays defensively the 1st being the strip of Jawhar Jordan after a big run that was virtually identical to our "the shin was down" overturning of the fumble that we forced against SMU. The kickoff return turned the momentum towards UK; the plays by Weaver won the game.
If you ask me what has to happen Saturday to win the first thing I would say is put whoever is the QB down early and often and offensively run the football. I say that as a script for a normal game but the Governor's Cup has been anything but normal for us--you almost have to write in "maintain your composure" which is why having a Shough at QB and so many defensive players who have played in the game important for us. You shouldn't see a Malik Cunningham on tilt going after the UK sidelines or Chris Bell with two personal fouls. There were some things done offensively against Pitt formation wise that we haven't shown all year that I suspect will play a big role Saturday, not the least of which was Watson and Isaac Brown in the backfield at the same time. You could see Pitt check out of coverages a couple times when they were because you can't have linebackers covering either or both without eventually getting burned.
The UK game fit that template but people spend too much time convincing themselves we lost because "Brohm took the foot off the accelerator". Fact is JJ Weaver made two huge plays defensively the 1st being the strip of Jawhar Jordan after a big run that was virtually identical to our "the shin was down" overturning of the fumble that we forced against SMU. The kickoff return turned the momentum towards UK; the plays by Weaver won the game.
If you ask me what has to happen Saturday to win the first thing I would say is put whoever is the QB down early and often and offensively run the football. I say that as a script for a normal game but the Governor's Cup has been anything but normal for us--you almost have to write in "maintain your composure" which is why having a Shough at QB and so many defensive players who have played in the game important for us. You shouldn't see a Malik Cunningham on tilt going after the UK sidelines or Chris Bell with two personal fouls. There were some things done offensively against Pitt formation wise that we haven't shown all year that I suspect will play a big role Saturday, not the least of which was Watson and Isaac Brown in the backfield at the same time. You could see Pitt check out of coverages a couple times when they were because you can't have linebackers covering either or both without eventually getting burned.
The veil of deception can mean the world as you try to keep the defense off balance. It can be as simple as this...who's getting the ball?
Boley is getting the start. He gets the ball out quickly. For the love of God take his 1st read away make him think. Unfortunately we play a pretty basic defense. This is the one game they should be blitz happy early while giving him different looks.
Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to do this very often without blowing coverages.
Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to do this very often without blowing coverages.
Uk has been without several starters for a lot of this season. Most of those dudes were back last week vs Texas. Between that and them finally benching that god awful QB, this is going to be a dogfight. Hopefully they dont have zero penalties like last years game and we win the TO battle.
I still cant believe a Stoops coached team played an entire game with no penalties.....laughable!
I still cant believe a Stoops coached team played an entire game with no penalties.....laughable!
I would like to believe that we could have success running the football, something Jeff tries to emphasize each and every game. My sense is that is not going to be successful against UK’s front 4, and it explains why I totally disagree with CH’s support of Jeff’s more conservative approach towards “running the clock”.
It’s not just “running the clock” that concerns me: it’s recognizing how difficult it is to sustain a drive when dependent on a 3rd and long completion repeatedly. Jeff was running our backs on 1st and 2nd down, at the same time our opponent’s defense were adjusting by stacking the box.
It’s not just “running the clock” that concerns me: it’s recognizing how difficult it is to sustain a drive when dependent on a 3rd and long completion repeatedly. Jeff was running our backs on 1st and 2nd down, at the same time our opponent’s defense were adjusting by stacking the box.
I'm not saying I agree with it...I'd have loved to put 40+ on Notre Dame, Virginia Tech and Duke last year when we were staked with good 3rd quarter leads and consistent 1st quarters where we left them up a score and a half. Same with Clemson. I understand managing a lead when you have Plummer with a lead, a gimpy Thrash and Jordan and a Catastrophe just around the corner with the ball in Plummer's hands, We saw him manage the Clemson game in much the same way. But Stanford? Totally blew up in our face and you had more high percentage personnel to work with at QB.
If we're up two scores at any point Saturday I'm not going to be too upset if he takes the air out of the ball and forces a freshmen QB to lead an up-to-this-point listless offense to move the ball on a long field.
We just agree to disagree here CH; as I believe that “letting the air out” explains why we lost at Stanford a few weeks ago, as well as at home against UK last year.
Twenty years ago, and perhaps as recently as 10 years ago, the strategy of “running the clock to protect a lead” was not only conventional, it was generally effective strategy. However, the game has changed rather dramatically, and the ability of an opponent maximizing the time left in the 4th quarter is increased by using out-of-bounds passing routes, using their timeouts, taking advantage of the 2 minute break, and first downs stopping the clock, are so much more effective today than in years past. Most opponents have skill position WRs beating deep coverages, and using all 4 down offensively is a big benefit when behind.
We had two early 10 point leads on UK last year; and despite giving up the KO return for a UK TD, we came back and scored when Plummer completed the TD throw to Gatewood. That is when Brohm went to the running game that resulted in UK scoring on 3 consecutive series before Plummer threw a TD to Huggins-Bruce to tie the score.
It should be noted that our first score last year against UK was a result of a successful 4th down conversion. Brohm and UL got the lead by trying to score, we lost the lead when trying to run the clock; giving UK the momentum they needed to close the deficit.
Twenty years ago, and perhaps as recently as 10 years ago, the strategy of “running the clock to protect a lead” was not only conventional, it was generally effective strategy. However, the game has changed rather dramatically, and the ability of an opponent maximizing the time left in the 4th quarter is increased by using out-of-bounds passing routes, using their timeouts, taking advantage of the 2 minute break, and first downs stopping the clock, are so much more effective today than in years past. Most opponents have skill position WRs beating deep coverages, and using all 4 down offensively is a big benefit when behind.
We had two early 10 point leads on UK last year; and despite giving up the KO return for a UK TD, we came back and scored when Plummer completed the TD throw to Gatewood. That is when Brohm went to the running game that resulted in UK scoring on 3 consecutive series before Plummer threw a TD to Huggins-Bruce to tie the score.
It should be noted that our first score last year against UK was a result of a successful 4th down conversion. Brohm and UL got the lead by trying to score, we lost the lead when trying to run the clock; giving UK the momentum they needed to close the deficit.
I think people look at the final Pitt score and say complete domination. Not true. Pitt's 1st couple of possessions were like what we seen before. March right down the field in 5 or 6 plays. The only difference this time was Pitt's first drive ended up in an interception at the goalline. Was that our defense or a poor read by their QB?
My point here is momentum. We need to score early, stay in front and make the kitties play from behind instead of sustaining long time consuming drives limiting our offensive possessions. Also can't have turnovers.
My point here is momentum. We need to score early, stay in front and make the kitties play from behind instead of sustaining long time consuming drives limiting our offensive possessions. Also can't have turnovers.
As bad as UK's offensive line is, we'll get called for holding as the team is entering the stadium. There's been games this year where our O-Line has been called for penalties on 3 & 4 plays in a row. If you guys are ever going to beat us, this is the year.
UK’s OL reputation for being so dominating in the run game is a little misleading, as this current group did not have a Snell or Rodriguez running behind them as their predecessors enjoyed. For that matter, they did not even have a Rose or Smoke level RB, which explains the lack of respect they are getting now.
In the SEC if you don’t have a good line you have no shot. The thing that is really hard to project is where Louisville Dline in comparison to the Dline’s UK has faced. Louisville isn’t that kind of quality so to expect Louisville to create the level of havoc SEC’s created isn’t logical thinking. Louisville is probably close or better than Vandy’s DL.
It also explains the last several years in this game. Louisville has made significant improvement up front. Last year Louisville pushed them around on both sides. They just blew it. This year I expect similar game Louisville won’t lose the battle up front.
My concern is Louisville’s back end. UK has more pure WR talent than anyone Louisville has faced. If they don’t make Boley uncomfortable game over.
It also explains the last several years in this game. Louisville has made significant improvement up front. Last year Louisville pushed them around on both sides. They just blew it. This year I expect similar game Louisville won’t lose the battle up front.
My concern is Louisville’s back end. UK has more pure WR talent than anyone Louisville has faced. If they don’t make Boley uncomfortable game over.
Initial instinct with a young QB is to blitz the heck out of him and get pressure without giving up big penalties like grabbing and holding or letting their WR's get behind them. I think they rushed for less than 50 yards against Texas.
1. It used to be that if you won the rushing yardage total in the game you won, but we have outrushed UK the last two games. My mindset is that while we won't have played an SEC defensive line to this point in the year, we did run the ball effectively against Clemson and in chunks against Notre Dame and those are two high quality defensive fronts every bit as good as what you see in the SEC. Our offensive line has played well since the Boston College game, both in pass pro and run blocking.
2. Going back through UK's five game winning streak over us, I think we can all reasonably agree that our defense at all three levels isn't remotely comparable to what we fielded with Satterfield's first unit which was the flotsom left from Petrino's apocalyptic demise. We knew back then that his last two recruiting classes were virtually devoid of down linemen. That started turning around three years ago with the Dez Tell and Ashton Gillotte classes; heck we've lost Jermayne Lole' to Texas and Kaleb Banks to Florida and nobody remembers that--but they left in part because there were reps split across multiple DTs. I'd have loved to have JJ Weaver and would be a fool to downplay Walker, but that gap of talent that was more a Canyon from 2019 isn't there anymore.
3. The last two matchups have seen one thing that clearly spelled the difference and that was turnovers; we only intercepted Leary--and it was a huge one--in the fourth quarter last year. But they turned Louisville over six times in that two year span and it was a huge factor. I think we'll move the ball on Kentucky, but we need s short field and we need it early to almost spell that this is going to be a different story. We're among the better teams in college football at blocking kicks and getting production out of special teams has sometimes been a big plus. We need that early kickoff forced fumble like Notre Dame, we certainly DON'T need the airmailed punt snap that puts us down two scores on the road. Give me the two blocked FG, three of four made FGs type of special teams difference we saw at Clemson.
I like us Saturday, but the kicked terd that was Stanford had me asking some tough questions of everybody in the program. We should have been watching the CFP committee rankings release last night with our name pop up on the edge of those rankings (basically where the name Clemson was). Saturday defines this season for us whether we care to admit it or not. A win doesn't make it a great season, a win makes it a good season that was underachieving. A loss? There's no way with what we saw from the skill positions, at QB and with the freshmen running backs that we should have five regular season losses.
We beat Kentucky Saturday and the Stanford loss will prove to be the most devastating missed opportunity since Rutgers in 06.
Maybe for some but if we beat the kitties this year and I'll be saying what Stanford loss?
CH, I seldom disagree with your pre-game or post-game analysis, but you and I have one disagreement about how Brohm needs to approach these games, particularly with the lead going into the 3rd and 4th quarters. Your #1 in this post makes my point; as in previous decades the team that was most successful running the football would prevail in the final score. That can still be the case, but for UL losing to underdogs like Stanford, and now UK …….. we must focus on scoring, despite the margin of our leads. These tendencies for Brohm to run on 1st and 2nd down, leaving 3rd and long has been our undoing. The odds on sustaining a drive are lower, and result in too many punts.
We have been largely successful using our TEs in the flat; a relatively conservative passing route that almost always results in 7-10 yards. We just have not seen as much since Johnson has been out, but Redman has been most dependable.
We have been largely successful using our TEs in the flat; a relatively conservative passing route that almost always results in 7-10 yards. We just have not seen as much since Johnson has been out, but Redman has been most dependable.
They didn’t lose the Stanford or Kentucky game because of going conservative. They lost because the defense couldn’t get off the field and the offense not being able to stay on the field. Louisville is probably ranked last in stopping and converting 4th downs.
I understand Brohm is an offensive guy so the offense needs to be better in converting but gosh focus on the side of the ball that sucks.
My guess is if Louisville wins or loses it will be because the defense held UK close its season average or UK offensively has a Stanford type of game.
I understand Brohm is an offensive guy so the offense needs to be better in converting but gosh focus on the side of the ball that sucks.
My guess is if Louisville wins or loses it will be because the defense held UK close its season average or UK offensively has a Stanford type of game.
The defense was on the field because our offense could not sustain possession of the football, or score. We got the 15 point lead by executing our offense by keeping the opposing defense from anticipating our decision to run the ball in an effort to run the clock. A desperate opposing offense needs possession to make up a 15 point deficit ……….sure, a more effective defense has a chance to stop the opponent, but any offense with 4 downs instead of 3 has a 25% better chance of getting first downs and scoring.
Our defense failed, but is it just a coincidence that our offense could not sustain possession of the football at the same time?
Our defense failed, but is it just a coincidence that our offense could not sustain possession of the football at the same time?
Which came first? The chicken or the egg?
Why can’t we have a “Schnellenberger” team? 🤷♂️
Offense AND Defense…..
Simple 😇😉🤣
Why can’t we have a “Schnellenberger” team? 🤷♂️
Offense AND Defense…..
Simple 😇😉🤣
