After a week of discussing and analyzing the Kentucky football team the expert consensus on our show was that the defense would be the strength of the team. After 30 minutes of football (in real time, not game clock) yesterday, it was crystal clear that was not going to be the case.
In fact, the defense was so bad that it overshadowed some actual promise on offense and special teams. This might surprise some but I thought the offense was good enough that, combined with even an average defense, UK could be dangerous this year.
If only UK’s defense were average or even mediocre. Neither apply. I cannot remember a game where one side of the ball seemed so overmatched and believe me there were plenty of candidates coming into the game.
Most of the time, it seemed UK was never even close to slowing down Louisville. I counted at least six times where Cardinal receiver’s caught balls and there was not a single potential tackler on my TV screen.
Teddy Bridgewater was terrific with only one legitimate incomplete pass out twenty attempts. Yet so little pressure was applied by Kentucky, I think he could of ran out the game clock on every snap.
I’m certainly not a football expert and those who are may disagree with me but there does not seem to be an easy fixes here. In addition to zero pressure applied to Bridgewater and suspect coverage by the secondary, U of L had no trouble gashing UK’s defensive line for big running gains.
What does UK do? I’m not sure. They have two out conference games to work out the problems before entering the SEC. Buyer beware, despite the fact that Kent State and Western were intended to automatic W’s, they will not be. UK will have to pile up the points to get to 2-1 before heading to Gainesville.
The Show
We will sift through the aftermath of UK’s 18 point loss to U of L and try to find something that can give optimism to the Big Blue Nation. The Courier Journal’s Kyle Tucker will try to help that process. Kentucky Scout’s Jeff Drummond was at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium too and we’ll get his take on the Cats thumping. Also former Wildcat Jared Lorenzen will guest star.
The show begins at 6pm with your calls and comments. We’ll take questions as well tonight on 590, WVLK in Lexington and 1450 The Sports Buzz in Louisville.
Coming Up:
Tuesday: Kent Spencer, WHAS; Jen Smith, HL; JDrum
Wednesday: TJ Beisner, CN/2; Former Wildcat Zipp Duncan; JDrum
Thursday: Lonny Demaree, Kentucky Sports Report; JDrum
Friday: Glenn Logan, A Sea of Blue; Chris Fisher, Cats Pause
