UKhoov
10-11-2007, 10:16 AM
I thought this would add a little to what RaleighCat has posted as well.
Kentucky Wildcats
It has been a banner season for the Wildcats so far. Kentucky has been better than expected even coming off last year's 8-5 record topped with a Music City Bowl victory over Clemson. The basic line of thinking was that Kentucky '06 performance was an aberration and the Wildcats would return to their regularly scheduled selves. They certainly haven't for several reasons, the least of which is the Heisman-like consistency of senior quarterback Andre' Woodson (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=146711). Although the wheels came off for Woodson a bit in last week's 38-23 loss at South Carolina, Woodson still has an eye-popping 18 touchdowns to 2 interceptions ratio. He has been clutch with the game on the line against then-No. 9 Louisville and at Arkansas where he led the Wildcats to 21 unanswered points.
While everyone knows about the Wildcats' primary weapons, such as running back Rafael Little (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=161306) (third in the SEC in rushing averging 113.7 yards) and receiver Keenan Burton (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=146699) (second in the league in receptions with 37), UK has developed some nice additions, like receiver Steve Johnson (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=188616) and running backs Tony Dixon (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=161297) and Alfonso Smith (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=178759). Defensively, Kentucky no longer is at the bottom of the SEC. The Cats defense still isn't dynamic, but they no longer give up a string of big plays every game. Everything is earned against UK, who has the league's leading tackler in Wesley Woodyard (6 tackles, 10.8 per game) and a playmaker in cornerback Trevard Lindley.
Midseason MVP
No doubt that it is Woodson, who has continued the metamorphisis that he began last season when Randy Sanders was hired as Kentucky's quarterback coach. Woodson was an average quarterback at best two years ago when he threw six TDs and six interceptions. When Sanders resigned as Tennessee's offensive coordinator, Rich Brooks was smart enough to hire him. Sanders worked wonders with Woodson, correcting footwork, adjusting the throwing motion and getting Woodson to make better decisions. In the 19 games Woodson has played with Sanders as his QB coach, Woodson has thrown 49 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.
What's next
Rich Brooks has been honest in his assessment of his team. He knows his schedule is backloaded with his team's toughest games, starting with No. 1 LSU on Saturday. In fact, the Tigers and Florida visit Lexington on back-to-back weekends, and the Gators are coming in after an open date. Kentucky also has to play at Georgia and ends the regular season trying to break a 22-game losing streak to Tennessee. The Wildcats have the firepower to outscore anybody in the league, but don't have a defense yet on the level of a championship defender. Look for UK to finish no worse than 8-4.
Kentucky Wildcats
It has been a banner season for the Wildcats so far. Kentucky has been better than expected even coming off last year's 8-5 record topped with a Music City Bowl victory over Clemson. The basic line of thinking was that Kentucky '06 performance was an aberration and the Wildcats would return to their regularly scheduled selves. They certainly haven't for several reasons, the least of which is the Heisman-like consistency of senior quarterback Andre' Woodson (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=146711). Although the wheels came off for Woodson a bit in last week's 38-23 loss at South Carolina, Woodson still has an eye-popping 18 touchdowns to 2 interceptions ratio. He has been clutch with the game on the line against then-No. 9 Louisville and at Arkansas where he led the Wildcats to 21 unanswered points.
While everyone knows about the Wildcats' primary weapons, such as running back Rafael Little (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=161306) (third in the SEC in rushing averging 113.7 yards) and receiver Keenan Burton (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=146699) (second in the league in receptions with 37), UK has developed some nice additions, like receiver Steve Johnson (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=188616) and running backs Tony Dixon (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=161297) and Alfonso Smith (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=178759). Defensively, Kentucky no longer is at the bottom of the SEC. The Cats defense still isn't dynamic, but they no longer give up a string of big plays every game. Everything is earned against UK, who has the league's leading tackler in Wesley Woodyard (6 tackles, 10.8 per game) and a playmaker in cornerback Trevard Lindley.
Midseason MVP
No doubt that it is Woodson, who has continued the metamorphisis that he began last season when Randy Sanders was hired as Kentucky's quarterback coach. Woodson was an average quarterback at best two years ago when he threw six TDs and six interceptions. When Sanders resigned as Tennessee's offensive coordinator, Rich Brooks was smart enough to hire him. Sanders worked wonders with Woodson, correcting footwork, adjusting the throwing motion and getting Woodson to make better decisions. In the 19 games Woodson has played with Sanders as his QB coach, Woodson has thrown 49 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.
What's next
Rich Brooks has been honest in his assessment of his team. He knows his schedule is backloaded with his team's toughest games, starting with No. 1 LSU on Saturday. In fact, the Tigers and Florida visit Lexington on back-to-back weekends, and the Gators are coming in after an open date. Kentucky also has to play at Georgia and ends the regular season trying to break a 22-game losing streak to Tennessee. The Wildcats have the firepower to outscore anybody in the league, but don't have a defense yet on the level of a championship defender. Look for UK to finish no worse than 8-4.