With the team on a bye this week, it’s time to take a few minutes for a Kentucky Wildcats mid-season review. The Cats currently stand at 3-3 on the season and 2-2 in the SEC. Both wins have come against the eastern division. The two wins against the SEC East mark only the ninth time since the league expanded in 1992 the Cats have won at least two games.
Best Win- South Carolina– The Wildcats beat the Gamecocks 17-10 for a third year in a row. This marked the first time since the 1950’s the Cats have beaten an SEC team other than Vanderbilt three straight years. The last was Tennessee from 1957-59.
Second Best Win- Vanderbilt- The Cats won 20-13 on the strength of its running game and a defensive stop late in the fourth quarter. This helped avenge what may have been Stoops’ worst loss in Nashville last season.
Worst Loss- Southern Mississippi- Kentucky seemed to have everything going in its first contest leading 35-10 late in the second quarter. However the Golden Eagles torched the Wildcat defense outscoring them 34-0 the rest of the game. If the Cats miss a bowl for a sixth straight year this game will be the reason.
Next worst loss- Florida- After nearly beating the Gators the last two seasons and ending a three decade losing streak, this one was no contest. The Cats were whipped in every facet of the game in a 45-7 loss.
Biggest Surprise- Benny Snell– The true freshman running back didn’t play in the first two contests but has turned into the Cats fourth quarter closer. Snell almost singlehandedly carried the Cats to the wins over Carolina and Vandy.
Runner up- Stephen Johnson– When Drew Barker went down after the first series of the New Mexico State game, fans were unsure what to expect. The junior college transfer has led the Cats to a 3-1 record since taking over. Johnson has been a little shaky throwing the ball but has more than made up for it with his running ability.
Biggest Disappointment- Drew Barker’s Injury– This was supposed to be Barker’s year leading the Cats. A back injury he reportedly suffered during the summer was aggravated against Florida. The next week he had to come out of the New Mexico State game after one series. Barker’s will be reevaluated on a week to week basis after the Mississippi State game.
Runner up- The Kentucky fan base– The University has spent over 120 million in renovations for Commonwealth Stadium and a new training facility. Many fans seem to take that as a reason to complain about everything with the program. From rumors about Stoops’ personal life to being called out on his own radio show, some in the fan base are getting worse as the season goes.
It doesn't feel like UK is .500. Mark Stoops was right. If you are angry about it, you're part of the problem https://t.co/yUzAOGRlbX
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) October 11, 2016
Some fans have taken it a step farther and started talking directly at the players. One fan went so far as to direct their wrath at Barker.
@D_Barker7 when the hell u going to suck it up and play ball again? I'm 38 years old and play tackle FB on weekends! No pads! #betheman
— Charlie Thompson (@CThompsonUK) October 8, 2016
Barker’s response was pretty spot on.
Better make sure you're getting your ankles taped man! Go Cats! https://t.co/vvBs60GoxJ
— Drew Barker (@D_Barker7) October 9, 2016
Second Half Preview
The Wildcats have six games remaining in 2016. Only once against Austin Peay will the Cats be a favorite. Two other games, Mississippi State and Missouri could be considered toss ups at best. The Cats play MSU at home and travel to Columbia.
Of the three remaining games the Georgia game at home would appear to offer the best chance of winning. Kirby Smart’s team seems a step below previous teams.
Tennessee and Louisville both on the road give the Cats little chance of winning. The next two games will decide if Kentucky will miss a bowl season for a sixth straight year.
SEC Prediction Time
Time to take a look at the rest of the SEC games this weekend. Last week was another good one for the Old Krystal Ball going a perfect 6-0 making the season record 48-7.
Two huge games in the league this weekend but we will start in Provo, Utah.
Mississippi State at Utah- (Friday 10:15 ESPN)- The Bulldogs are coming off a really bad 38-14 loss at home to Auburn in which they gave up over 200 yards rushing.
The Cougars went into East Lansing and whipped Michigan State 31-14 in which they ran for over 260 yards. This could be an ugly game for the Bulldogs.
BYU 35-17
Vanderbilt at Georgia- (NOON SEC Network)- The Bulldogs handled South Carolina last week as both Nick Chubb and Sonny Michel ran for over 100 yards.
The Commodores lost to Kentucky and gave up over 200 yards rushing to the Wildcats. The powerful Bulldog running game will lead them to a win.
Georgia 27-17
Alabama at Tennessee- (3:30 CBS) The big game in the league features the top ranked Crimson Tide heading into Knoxville. Butch Jones’ club fell behind (again) and rallied (again) before falling to Texas A&M in double overtime.
Nick Saban’s club seems to be hitting its stride and is coming off an impressive 49-30 win at Arkansas. Alabama has won nine straight against Tennessee and after Saturday it will be 10
Alabama 42-27
Missouri at Florida- (4:00 SEC Network)- The Gators got an extra week of rest after their game against LSU was postponed due to Hurricane Matthew. Luke Del Rio will be back under center for Jim McElwain’s club after missing two games.
The Tigers were hammered two weeks ago at LSU before having a bye week. Behind Drew Lock Missouri has discovered an offense and rank eighth in the nation in passing yards per game. The Tigers won’t have as much success against a stout Florida defense.
Florida 27-14
Ole Miss at Arkansas- (7:00 ESPN)- The other big game in the league should feature points by the bunches. This will be the first true road game for the Rebels after a bye last week.
The Razorbacks have dropped two of their last three games, both in conference play and need a win to get back in the hunt for a January bowl game.
Arkansas has won two straight against Ole Miss but on Saturday Chad Kelly will throw up some big numbers in leading his team to a road win.
Ole Miss 49-35
Southern Miss at LSU- (7:30 SEC Network)- It has been a tough week in Baton Rouge as the fan base had to say goodbye to its beloved mascot. Mike VI died on Tuesday due to complications from cancer.
If you haven’t read about Mike or want to do so again check out the link below.
LSU's Mike VI: 2005-2016 – https://t.co/MNqTFWT5LX pic.twitter.com/qfV95PzSG0
— 🏈LastWordOnCFB🏈 (@LastWordOnCFB) October 11, 2016
On the field the Tigers blitzed Missouri 42-7 two weeks ago in Ed Orgeron’s debut as head coach. The Golden Eagles have one of the best offenses in football behind quarterback Nick Mullens and running back Ito Smith. This one will be close for a half then LSU will pull away even without Leonard Fournette.
LSU 35-17
Auburn, Kentucky, Texas A&M and South Carolina all have the week off. Thanks for reading see you next time.
