2006 Preview: Kentucky Wildcats

[WildcatRick]

Is Kentucky a case of a young team on the verge of doing some big things after suffering through growing pains, or did head coach Rich Brooks and his staff stock the shelves for next year's coaching staff to shine with?

With five wins in the last two seasons and one winning campaign since 2000, UK football hasn't exactly been a juggernaut. There are several obvious issues from the perception of being a basketball school to the rough life in the SEC, but if Louisville can become a powerhouse, then so can Kentucky ... some day.

50 lettermen and 14 starters return providing experience, but this is still a very, very young team relying on several sophomores needing to play like longtime veterans. There are still too many question marks and a sure problem with continuity just about everywhere, so it might be another long season unless everything clicks at once.

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/5680604

[EricBigNally]

Good post. Fun read.:thumbup

[Athens2005]

He thinks we beat Ohio.

:D

[Athens2005]

The season will be a success if ... Kentucky wins six games and is better against the big boys. There's absolutely no reason to shoot for anything less than a bowl game considering the relatively easy schedule. Beating teams like LSU, Florida and Tennessee might be too much to ask for, but the Wildcats have to be more competitive against the good teams. Anything less than the post-season might mean the end of the Rich Brooks era.
Key game: October 7 vs. South Carolina. Consider this the litmus test for where the program is at. This isn't a good enough team with at Florida, and it's strong enough to beat Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt. South Carolina is a mid-level team coming into Lexington thinking it can roll over UK after winning 44-16. With games against LSU and Georgia over the next few weeks, a win over the Gamecocks might be a must.

[Caveman Catfan]

WildcatRick wrote: Is Kentucky a case of a young team on the verge of doing some big things after suffering through growing pains, or did head coach Rich Brooks and his staff stock the shelves for next year's coaching staff to shine with?




This is an excellent question. As Brooks and his staff recruited, I could not help but to think that their success could help Barnhart with his recruitment, should he have need to find a new coach.

BUT, I want success this year. I would love to see this thing pay off for Brooks.

[Caveman Catfan]

Interesting list:



1. RB Rafael Little, Jr.
2. LB Wesley Woodyard, Jr.
3. TE Jacob Tamme, Jr.
4. QB Andre Woodson, Jr.
5. QB Curtis Pulley, Soph.
6. C Matt McCutchan, Sr.
7. WR Keenan Burton, Jr.
8. SS Roger Williams, Jr.
9. DE Nii Adjei Oninku, Soph.
10. DE Durrell White, Sr.


I do not disagree that those ten are ten to watch (I would add a few to the top ten), but if I was ranking these ten, the order might be different.

1. RB Rafael Little, Jr.
2. LB Wesley Woodyard, Jr.
3. TE Jacob Tamme, Jr.

Hard to argue with those three at the top. Although I would not have Tamme at the top if ranking from last season, I could see him easily being the third most important player on the team this year (assuming he is healed).

4. WR Keenan Burton, Jr.

If UK is going to have a winning season, Keenan has to star and give Raf and Jacob an outside down the field threat. If he stays healthy, there is no doubt he is a top five player on the team, perhaps a top three.

5. C Matt McCutchan, Sr.

One could argue that Matt's return was as big as any news UK received in the off-season. When all is said and done, he may not be the most talented O-lineman on this team, but his worth as a returning starting center is huge, especially since we may be playing a soph QB. Because the QB's success may be directly related to the success of the four offensive players listed above, I think they all need to be rated above the QB.

6. QB Curtis Pulley, Soph. (if Andre starts, he better be in the top ten)


My gut tells me that Pulley will be the starter. If the offense is going to be successful, the QB better well be in the top ten players, regardless of whether it is Andre or Pulley.

I will not rank the rest. I think the others listed are a toss up, IMO. Myron Pryor would probably come next if I went off the list provided. I think another RB will also shine. Dixon seems to be the natural candidate, but Smith seems poised to make some noise, as well. I sure hope another O-lineman, or three, also make some noise. TuriTuri was tough last year before getting hurt, but the young pups might just have break through years.

One thing is certain, I sure hope that Oninku and White are legitimate contenders for the top ten on this team. We need some good play at DE.

[Caveman Catfan]

Positively dramatic stat:

- Punt return average: Kentucky 17.2 - Opponents 6.3

For a young team to turn the corner, that kind of success needs to be repeated this year.

[poodoo]

Caveman Catfan wrote: Positively dramatic stat:

- Punt return average: Kentucky 17.2 - Opponents 6.3

For a young team to turn the corner, that kind of success needs to be repeated this year.

Absolutely, Caveman Catfan.

Also, thanks for the link, WildcatRick. I noticed the writer was not aware that Bo Smith has been dismissed from the team. How I wishBo were still part of our defense. :(