WildcatRick
09-21-2007, 12:00 AM
1) Hate to say I told you so, but I told you a week after signing day and all through the summer that defensive tackle Shane McCord would be the freshmen that would play the most prominent role this season out of the incoming freshmen class. McCord has been everything I said he'd be and more, plugging up the depth issues UK had on its defensive line nearly immediately. Against Louisville, he had one sack that was negated because of a penalty and nearly had a second before Brohm escaped into the arms of Jeremy Jarmon. In one of those instances, McCord was apart of a 3-man rush. UK needed McCord to be a stud early and be ready to play and he has delivered, despite the fact in the scorecard it only says 3 tackles through the first three games.
2) Arkansas defensive unit is fortunate in its preparation for Kentucky because of the similarities between UK's offensive schemes and Nick Saban's offensive looks at Alabama. As they did for two weeks leading up to their contest with the Crimson Tide, Arkansas continues to prepare for the one back, zone blocking offensive schemes used by Kentucky. One place Joker Phillips might look to exploit is up front. The 'Hawgs have been dependant on suspended DT Ernest Mitchell, who was incredible against Alabama before being kicked out of the ball-game for hitting an Alabama player with his helmet. Without Mitchell up front, the defensive line looks as vanilla as they've ever looked. Arkansas already is attempting to replace defensive end Jamaal Anderson and defensive tackle Keith Jackson, both of whom are on NFL rosters this fall. New starting defensive tackle Fred Bledsoe's name currently resides in place of suspended first-teamer Ernest Mitchell on the depth chart. UK must challenge him early. In preparation for the shoot-out, Arkansas has moved Michael Grant from safety to cornerback to add some muscle. He's expected to try and help slow down the timing of UK's receiving corps on the line. The health of Keenan Burton may play a huge role in the outcome of the game. According to Joker, who spoke with us yesterday on our radio program, Burton will be fine.
3) History might be on the Wildcats side as they take on the Razorbacks this upcoming weekend. In each of Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt's nine seasons at Arkansas, the Razorbacks have lost the next Southeastern Conference game played after their first conference loss. The trend could be mere coincidence, but Arkansas' players are familiar with the recent trend, as media and coaches alike have been reminding them all week of the struggles of former teams coming off of losses. Last year, the 'Hawgs lost to LSU and then eventual national champ Florida a week later in the SEC Championship.
http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=3551
2) Arkansas defensive unit is fortunate in its preparation for Kentucky because of the similarities between UK's offensive schemes and Nick Saban's offensive looks at Alabama. As they did for two weeks leading up to their contest with the Crimson Tide, Arkansas continues to prepare for the one back, zone blocking offensive schemes used by Kentucky. One place Joker Phillips might look to exploit is up front. The 'Hawgs have been dependant on suspended DT Ernest Mitchell, who was incredible against Alabama before being kicked out of the ball-game for hitting an Alabama player with his helmet. Without Mitchell up front, the defensive line looks as vanilla as they've ever looked. Arkansas already is attempting to replace defensive end Jamaal Anderson and defensive tackle Keith Jackson, both of whom are on NFL rosters this fall. New starting defensive tackle Fred Bledsoe's name currently resides in place of suspended first-teamer Ernest Mitchell on the depth chart. UK must challenge him early. In preparation for the shoot-out, Arkansas has moved Michael Grant from safety to cornerback to add some muscle. He's expected to try and help slow down the timing of UK's receiving corps on the line. The health of Keenan Burton may play a huge role in the outcome of the game. According to Joker, who spoke with us yesterday on our radio program, Burton will be fine.
3) History might be on the Wildcats side as they take on the Razorbacks this upcoming weekend. In each of Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt's nine seasons at Arkansas, the Razorbacks have lost the next Southeastern Conference game played after their first conference loss. The trend could be mere coincidence, but Arkansas' players are familiar with the recent trend, as media and coaches alike have been reminding them all week of the struggles of former teams coming off of losses. Last year, the 'Hawgs lost to LSU and then eventual national champ Florida a week later in the SEC Championship.
http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=3551