UK v. Ole Miss

[trublueastend]

This is going to be an interesting game. Both teams have now laid an early season egg. I think we probably laid ours against the better team, and did manage to put 28 points on the board in the process.

U of L's offense is scary, and will remain so even without Bush. Smith is solid, and Stripling potentially spectacular at RB for them.

Frankly, it looks like Ole Miss has absolutely ZERO passing game, and is not playing particularly good defense. Our defense should really be OK against a poor passing squad.

I'm going with UK 28 Ole Miss 17. What do the Rebs say to that? Do you guys think this is a get well game for your squad?

[shanksta13]

I like Kentucky in this one right now. But we'll see how things pan out before the game.

[kinfolk41684]

I have been correct on my Ole Miss prediction scedule here at the house so far, I have UM for a win, but it doen't look good, I didn't get to watch any football this w/e so it's hard to tell how it's gonna go

[Wildcat21BJ]

God, I hope you're right "Trueblue." I think this is the pivotal game in the Brooks era. Win this, and you can leave September with a 3-2 record (assuming subsequent loss to Florida in the swamp and win over Central MI at home). Still have winnable games against South Carolina, Miss St, Vandy, and NE LA.
Lose, and it could get ugly very quickly for Brooks.
I am hoping the home crowd can pull them through this weekend...

[kles30]

I got Ole Miss

[GeauxTo]

This is going to be an interesting game. Both teams have now laid an early season egg. I think we probably laid ours against the better team, and did manage to put 28 points on the board in the process.
I think you definitely laid your egg to the better team. Ole Miss was very disappointing against Mizzou which is not anywhere near the team that Louisville is. In that regard, it looks to me like Kentucky ought to win this one. Should be a good game, though.

[shanksta13]

I think Kentucky should win this one, behind the running of Little. Kentucky was able to put up good points against a tough Louisville opponent. Then they bounced back from the loss in Week 1 to destroy Texas State. Ole Miss failed to impress against Mizzou. I've got Kentucky.

[Neo]

I like Kentucky right now....

Kentucky 28
Ole Miss 17

[bigkegman]

I have got to agree with everyone else. If we don't play better we're screwed and Kentucky wins.

[downshall]

I wouldn't bet either way on this game. I have no clue how it will fall out. The sheep in me wants to believe that we're going to come out looking much better. The realist in me doesn't see any reason to think that might happen.

[The Architect]

I think the Texas State win is essentially meaningless. We looked better on both sided of the ball, but c'mon....it was the Bobcats of Texas State! We had too many penalties, and another slow start. I know Ole Miss is reeling a bit, but we cannot continue to start slow, because we don't have the kind of personnel that can mount a comeback. I think UK has a real good shot at getting blown out by Ole Miss. We couldn't stop Green-Ellis when he played for friggin' Indiana, why will we stop him now? We couldn't beat Ole Miss last year, when they undoubtedly sucked. I still think UM is improved, it's just that the loss to Missouri is still stinging, and clouding the minds of the Rebel faithful. Schaeffer needs a little more experience, and he'll be fine. As for UK, if the coaches and players don't fully understand the importance of coming out EXTREMELY fired up for this game, and they start slow again, we will lose. If we come out hot, and in rhythm, I think we'll have a good chance of winning. Sadly, I don't think it's gonna happen. UM 28, UK 17.

Please prove me wrong Cats!! :brick:

[Kevhugh]

My gut tells me Kentucky wins but closer than most people are prognasticating. I'll say 23-20 Cats.

[trublueastend]

I know Ole Miss is reeling a bit, but we cannot continue to start slow, because we don't have the kind of personnel that can mount a comeback.

Not so fast. my friend... :laugh:

Against an average offense or worse, I think we can come back if we stumble. Woodson and the receivers are looking like they can put it together. In fact, I see us setting up the run with the pass, rather than vice versa, as we move in to conference play.

Dicky Lyons is really coming into his own. Five grabs, four TD's in two games, probably averaging 20 ypc at this point? Burton is what he is... dangerous and always productive. Woodson looks good throwing the ball for the most part. Strickland and Johnson are serviceable, if not better. Tamme has been AWOL, however. If he steps onto the stage... well... we might be one of the better passing teams in the conference, in spite of our pre-season jitters about the receiving corps.

I won't count us out unless we spot a team like Ole Miss more than 21, and frankly I don't see that happening.

[OleMissPike]

I think Ole Miss wins an ugly game on both sides, but that's the homer in me

[The Architect]

Not so fast. my friend... :laugh:

Against an average offense or worse, I think we can come back if we stumble. Woodson and the receivers are looking like they can put it together. In fact, I see us setting up the run with the pass, rather than vice versa, as we move in to conference play.

Dicky Lyons is really coming into his own. Five grabs, four TD's in two games, probably averaging 20 ypc at this point? Burton is what he is... dangerous and always productive. Woodson looks good throwing the ball for the most part. Strickland and Johnson are serviceable, if not better. Tamme has been AWOL, however. If he steps onto the stage... well... we might be one of the better passing teams in the conference, in spite of our pre-season jitters about the receiving corps.

I won't count us out unless we spot a team like Ole Miss more than 21, and frankly I don't see that happening.

Dicky Jr's been a nice surprise. That's true. It's a good thing, since Tamme has been non-existent. Don't get me wrong. I hope you're right. I'm just tired of giving this coaching staff the benefit of the doubt, only to have my expectations dashed. That goes for the team, in general, too. There are some bright spots of potential, but I'm not changing my mind on this team until they prove it against somebody with a pulse (aka. any SEC team). Our offense might have improved enough to be more competitive, but our D still stinks. And it will continue to stink. We have a weak D-line, mistake-prone linebackers (except for Woodyard, who is usually solid) and an inexperienced, although not-as-bad-as-advertised secondary. Don't look for opponents YPG or PPG to go down. Even with the patsies on our schedule, we'll still have the likes of UF, UT, LSU, and UGA capable of smacking 35 or more on us. I'd guess we'll still give up over 400 YPG and 30+ PPG for the year. I'll bet that even USC's O will get "healthy" against us. UK will not win games with any consistency until those numbers are closer to 320/24 (and that ain't even stellar D, that's just respectable D).

Again, CATS.....please prove me wrong!!!

[Wildcat21BJ]

have to agree with Architect in that we rarely come out fired up (under Brooks) when you would think we would do just that...chance to start 1-0 in the SEC against a decent opponent at home, night game, chance to go to the swamp 2-1, etc. This is a game that looks like a win on paper, but Brooks has NEVER had one decent win (unless you count Vandy last year and who counts a win over Vandy as a good win?). I hope that uncle rich proves me wrong, but we Big Blue fans have to expect the worst until we have reason to believe.

[trublueastend]

Wildcat21 & Architect:

Are you guys going to the game Saturday? Do you plan to sit on your hands or raise some hell? Just curious.

As far as the defense is concerned, I'm giving that some time.

Offenses like Ole Miss and Miss St do not frighten me, nor does Vandy or SC to any great extent. None of those teams have 1/2 of the offense U of L is putting on the field. Seriously.

[RebelsRule10]

Olemiss thrived on defense last year, now they have none this year. The Offense struggled against Mizzou, I thought it would be a tough test for the Rebels. They are a very young team and have a ways to go before they will compete in the SEC ~!

[The Architect]

Wildcat21 & Architect:

Do you plan to sit on your hands or raise some hell? Just curious.

Don't be calling out my loyalty to UK. I have every right to expect good football from my alma mater. Plus, the coaches and players themselves TOLD us they were deeper and more experienced. I haven't seen it yet. When they show me convincingly, I will be fully on-board.
I still cheer more than the folks around me, if you must know. But cheering for UK is like chasing the wind....all effort, no reward. That gets old. You MUST recognize the frustration, surely!

As far as the defense is concerned, I'm giving that some time.

The coaches have had three years to show improvement and the defense is as bad or worse since Archer came in. Isn't three years enough time to show even modest improvement? One thinig is for sure. UK will turn the corner this season, or we will have a new coach. Either way, I will be happy, because it'll mean that Rich is actually getting it done, OR that we'll be getting a new direction for UK football. I'd rather Brooks get it done, not so much because I like him as a coach, but because I think our program needs stability. However, this team has yet to develop any kind of identity on offense or defense, unless "Vanilla" says something to excite you. Vanilla can be good when it works. But when it doesn't, you're left with no taste in your mouth. This team has been vanilla since Brooks arrived. We need some chocolate syrup on this thing!

[absolutebama]

This game is the toughest to call for sure. Neither team seems to want it bad enough thus far...Ole Miss went into the Missouri game way over confident and really underestimated the abilities of the Mizzou QB and they paid the price. Kentucky was overmatched against Louisville and Texas St. didn't help or hurt.

Which ever team gets the early lead should win...confidence early on goes a long way with teams searching for identities....Ole Miss in a close game.

RTR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[bigkegman]

I hope you are right absolutebama.

[trublueastend]

Don't be calling out my loyalty to UK. I have every right to expect good football from my alma mater.

I'm just ribbing you. It's my alma mater too, by the way.

As far as patience is concerned, this is the first season of the Brooks era I really expect anything at all. No offense, but I think you, like a lot of folks in the Commonwealth, underestimate the handicaps that faced this staff when it arrived. Our probation was no joke. For crying out loud, we still have only six recruited scholarship seniors this year, and that is a direct result of the scholarship penalty.

I'll be right there with you, swimming alongside the canoe, rather than in it, if we don't show some improvement and achieve bowl eligibility this year.

If by "vanilla" you mean a balanced offense, which we seem to be determined to develop, yes, I am definitely a fan of vanilla offense.

As far as the defense is concerned, I come closer to sharing your opinion. Archer has not impressed me with his scheme and game planning. It is too "vanilla".

[The Architect]

Heard Alan Cutler tonight on the WLAP 630 sports talk show. He thinks UK will win, possibly handily. I hope he's right!!! Maybe he's senses a confidence in the players and coaches. I don't know. I really do want the Cats to win, too. I'm just trying not to get to psyched up about it.

We'll root 'em on and see what happens!! GO CATS!!!

[olemisscowboy]

Guys, sorry...

I think about halfway thru the seasaon you're going to take back everything you said about us laying an egg vs. Mizzou, as I think Mizzou is going to be playing for the Big 12 title. They are good.

We may not be that good right now, but I think we're better than Ky. No insult, just what I believe. So take your best shot at us right now, but we're vying for the SEC Championship in 2008. We're not a team of the present; we're a team of the future.

Hotty Toddy, and enjoy the game.