Why can't we be one of the best this year?

[RV]

Sifting through this past NFL draft news I tallied those players drafted from our rivals teams since last fall. I counted 53 from the likes of Florida, LSU, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, Arkansas and ul. That's 7.5 per team and we had none.

Most would look at those facts and say woe is us but not me. You see, we currently have several guys that WILL BE drafted next year, they're all experienced, and best of all, returning this fall. What the above means is that those 7 teams have to replace 7.5 NFL caliber guys on each of their teams (on average) and we don't have to replace any. That's a hunk of talent to be replaced and a big advantage in our favor!

We beat Georgia last year AT HOME. Georgia is one of those teams listed above. This year we play Florida, LSU, Tennessee and ul AT HOME. See where I'm going here? We can beat some, if not all these guys and here is why.

We have an SEC bell cow at almost every position. By that I mean players that are arguably in the top three at their position.

QB - Andre Woodson - duh!
WR - Keenan Burton
RB - Rafael Little
TE - Jacob Tamme
OL- Garry Williams or Christian Johnson might make some lists but their experience alone puts them high on the list.
PR - Rafael Little

LB - Wesley Woodyard and maybe Braxton Kelley
S - Marcus McClinton
DL - Myron Pryor
CB - Trevard Lindley - maybe not top 3 yet but was Frosh AA
P - Tim Masthay
KR - Keenan Burton

Of course these are the proven guys. Who might emerge on this year's team to join that list remains to be seen but I believe we do have some other guys that will prove they should be on this list.

That's a bunch of reasons that we will repeat our home upset win over Georgia against some of the higher ranked teams at home this year. No one, I repeat, NO ONE that we face has more collective returning star power on their team than the UK Wildcats. This season could be very special.

[leroybyrd]

Sifting through this past NFL draft news I tallied those players drafted from our rivals teams since last fall. I counted 53 from the likes of Florida, LSU, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, Arkansas and ul. That's 7.5 per team and we had none.

Most would look at those facts and say woe is us but not me. You see, we currently have several guys that WILL BE drafted next year, they're all experienced, and best of all, returning this fall. What the above means is that those 7 teams have to replace 7.5 NFL caliber guys on each of their teams (on average) and we don't have to replace any. That's a hunk of talent to be replaced and a big advantage in our favor!

We beat Georgia last year AT HOME. Georgia is one of those teams listed above. This year we play Florida, LSU, Tennessee and ul AT HOME. See where I'm going here? We can beat some, if not all these guys and here is why.

We have an SEC bell cow at almost every position. By that I mean players that are arguably in the top three at their position.

QB - Andre Woodson - duh!
WR - Keenan Burton
RB - Rafael Little
TE - Jacob Tamme
OL- Garry Williams or Christian Johnson might make some lists but their experience alone puts them high on the list.
PR - Rafael Little

LB - Wesley Woodyard and maybe Braxton Kelley
S - Marcus McClinton
DL - Myron Pryor
CB - Trevard Lindley - maybe not top 3 yet but was Frosh AA
P - Tim Masthay
KR - Keenan Burton

Of course these are the proven guys. Who might emerge on this year's team to join that list remains to be seen but I believe we do have some other guys that will prove they should be on this list.

That's a bunch of reasons that we will repeat our home upset win over Georgia against some of the higher ranked teams at home this year. No one, I repeat, NO ONE that we face has more collective returning star power on their team than the UK Wildcats. This season could be very special.


Well said, RV. The offense should be pretty unstoppable and if our defense improves, we could actually start rolling it up on some people. Imagine how sweet would it be if we posted some blowout wins against solid opponents instead of just squeaking by for victories or coming up just short like UT and USC last year.

I think our depth is better than in the past, but is still the problem that will probably hold us back again from winning 10-11 ballgames.

I'm getting the football fever, looks like its going to be a fun year.

[Lexvol]

You will certainly be more competitive, but your offensive and defensive lines must play well, and you must avoid injury. UK definitely has the skill players to compete.

[TransientAlum]

Your offensive and defensive lines must play well, and you must avoid injury.

That will be the determining factor.

[PitinoLooksBetterInRed]

RV ur whole post is true, its just that of that list of seven teams you gave, Georgia is probably the worst one on the list. UK is certainly capable of upseting all the teams, but in each one UK will be the underdog and, for any team, its hard to upset more than 1 or 2 team teams better than you. Of course since its one game at a time, that all could happen. Without injuries this could be a very special season for this state.

[boomdaddy]

I expect the team to have a winning season and go bowling. To have a special season, UK has to do things that they didn't do last season. After the blowout loss to LSU, where Kentucky rested its injured players and kept its redshirts intact, the season turned around. With the brutal schedule, UK must get out of the starting gate quickly and get one of their upsets early in the season to keep the momentum going. The injury bug has to stay away from the marquee players.

The O line needs to be a bunch of bullies this year. Keeping Woodson's jersey clean and giving the Rbs a little daylight is a must. There were games where Woodson was lucky to get rid of the ball. Just imagine what he can do with time in the pocket and a productive running game? And last, will Tamme decide to be a star this season? He shed a few pounds to pick up speed. Can he improve his blocking and getting released from the line of scrimmage to be a big factor? If he emerges as a star, the skies the limit for the O this season, because there will be too many weopons for any D to stop.

The D line needs to stiffen up against the run and also pressure the qb. If Kentucky can stop the run, they won't have to keep so many palyers in the box and will be able to better defend the field against the pass. The secondary is older, it is their time to shine. Fewer long completions on 3rd and long are to be expected. I would like to see more blitzing, where the chance of a fumble or an interception are increased, if your DBs can cover one on one.

[JDHoss]

As everyone else has stated:

Stay at least fairly healthy.
No control over this, so who knows?

Get improved play out of the defense (particularly against the run).
IMO the defense will make huge strides from where it was last year.
I think a slightly better version of the defense that played in Knoxville & Nashville will show up from day 1 and only get better, provided they stay healthy.

Get solid play out of the OL.
I thought Jimmy Heggins did a great job last year, considering what he had to work with. I think Eric Scott will be a pleasant surprise at center this year.

Solidify the kicking game.
Placekicking was inconsistant to shakey, and the punting had me holding my breath until the kick was away.

Don't do anything to beat ourselves (penalties, turnovers, etc.)
Delay of game penalty inside the 5 @ UT might have cost us a better bowl bid.


For the first time in a long time, there's no one on the schedule that I don't feel like we have a shot at. LSU has no apparent weaknesses, but Miles teams have shown that they will sometimes overlook people. Other than that, pretty much everyone else has at least some question marks.

[gerntz]

We can be elite. But we could also fall down with a few key injuries. Net, the range of possibilities is as wide as I can remember since previously the upper range was so limited.

[I. Melvin]

I have waited a long time for this opportunity. We need to seize it with both hands.

Claiborne had a year where we started rolling against some cupcakes and just blew doors for awhile (beat IU 50 - 0 or thereabouts) - need to come out with a chip on our shoulder, beat UofL to death and see where the momentum takes us.

Beating UofL determines our season, imo.

It is time.

[poodoo]

You will certainly be more competitive, but your offensive and defensive lines must play well, and you must avoid injury. UK definitely has the skill players to compete.

Good post, Lexvol.

Yes, we definitely have some outstanding returning players at the skill positions, specifically. It is also true that we did not lose top players to the NFL like most of our opponents. Still, we must indeed get strong play from both lines (besides mostly avoiding the injury bug) to have that special season RV has envisioned. MAY IT HAPPEN! :)

[RV]

I think we can now add to the list of "bell cow" players for us. Guys like
Eric Scott
Jason Leger
John Conner
Jeremy Jarmon
and
Alphonso Smith on special teams.

There are many others contributing and playing well for us. Football is a team effort. One of the few true team sports that there are. As long a swe keep improving and avoid devastating injuries, this 'team' will go far.

[johnkyblue]

We bow down before you. :)

[Christmas Earl]

For us to go as far as we all hope, we will have to win the close games, just like in BB.
And in football that means the clutch field goal, re: FL vs. Auburn.
My comfort level is just not there for this group.
Can anyone convince me otherwise?

[johnkyblue]

If the name Wesley Woodyard doesn't convince you nothing will.

[chadrock]

Don't forget Jarmon...

[UedK]

Ha!....I read the post and thought....Man, RV has become Mr. Obvious.

I just re-read it and see that he posted this last June. Good early call RV. :thumbup:

The line play especially on the offensive side is a huge factor (IMO) to date. I am just wowed watching the replays of the running plays we are putting together. This with almost a 100% turnover on the starters from last year. Lerger and Scott have been stellar. I think Lerger gets on some NFL roster. Scott should get looks also, his size and athletic ability is NFL calaber.

[moody85]

And that's why RV is the resident football anal yst and prognosticator!

JW

[RV]

And that's why RV is the resident football anal yst and prognosticator!

JW

You left out the C Jim. ;)

[Trueblujr]

I think you can finally put Micah Johnsons name up on that list as well.

If we survive and advance this week against USC, the LSU game will be one the biggest game in Commonwealth stadium history. Which is kind of ironic because we've already had two program changing victories this season in our wins over UofL and Arkansas. As this season is progressing and with each victory, each game is historic, each game is program changing. Each successive game all of a sudden becomes the biggest game in the programs history.

This is not set up to be just a one year fluke either. While we might take a slight step back next year, there is no reason to think we won't continue to win and become a bowl team. If we find a suitable replacement for andre, most of the rest of the pieces are in place to succeed even with the losses of Burton, Tamme, Little and Woodyard.

We return 19 of 22 on our 2 deep on a continually improving defense. We have a stable of running backs that will push each other hard next year to be the best. I honestly think that even without Little we could still have one of the deepest stable of running backs in the SEC. Regardless we will remain a competitive force.

While it remains to be seen if we can be mentioned with the big boys of the SEC, I definately think we have reached a point where we can no longer be considered the laughing stock.