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Inconsistency plagues Cats, fans
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Dixon named SEC Player of the Week (AP)
There's been a considerable amount of fallout after Kentucky's disappointing loss at home to the hands of Mississippi State last Saturday. Before the game, a good percentage of Big Blue Nation had reason to believe that their Wildcats could win 9-10 games, beat Georgia and/or Tennessee, and travel to the Chick-fil-A or Outback Bowl.
Fans now question the Cats' chances at Vanderbilt and whether or not they'd travel to Shreveport or Memphis instead of Atlanta or Tampa. Who's to blame? Take your pick:
1. The players
Kentucky had consistently demonstrated quite a formidable defense the past few weeks. In the Cats' last four games before taking on MSU, they'd held Alabama, South Carolina, Auburn, and Louisiana-Monroe to under 5.0 yards per carry. Mississippi State, however, managed to rack up an alarming 7.7 yards per rush, led by SEC Player of the Week Anthony Dixon's career day (33 carries for a school-record 252 yards).
Inconsistent quarterback play has also hurt the Cats. Freshman Morgan Newton led UK behind center against MSU, completing 11 of his 18 passes for 119 yards, no TDs, and a game-changing interception inside the Bulldog 20 yard line. UK's 'Wildcat' formation was also held in check on Saturday, as Randall Cobb was held to 25 yards on eight carries.
Argument against: Fatigue. The Cats are banged up, and have faced numerous injuries to key players (Micah Johnson, Derrick Locke, Paul Warford), some of which has caused them to miss considerable amounts of time (Mike Hartline, Trevard Lindley).
2. The coaches
Rich Brooks has tried to shoulder most of the blame for Saturday's loss, claiming that it was the coaching staff's fault for lack of preparation, so take that for what it's worth. Brooks has rightfully been able to avoid the negative talks that surrounded him during his first few seasons as head coach in Lexington. Joker Phillips, the Offensive Coordinator and Head Coach-in-waiting, has not. Questionable playcalling, specifically in the opponent's red zone, has been a hot topic in both of UK's last two losses vs. MSU and South Carolina.
Defensive Coordinator Steve Brown has also faced a considerable amount of Anthony Dixon-caused scrutiny, as the Cats were simply baffled by the relative simplicity of MSU's offensive gameplan. Anybody recall the shotgun-counter running play the Bulldogs ran over and over?
Argument against: Kentucky wouldn't be where it is today (three consecutive bowl wins) without the help of Brooks & Co., so cut 'em some slack. Right?
3. The fans
Perhaps the most perplexing part of UK's struggle on Saturday was its lack of fan support. Setting aside the half-hearted 'blackout' effort inspired by A.D. Mitch Barnhart, only 67,953 showed up to Commonwealth for the Mississippi State game. That's less than the attendance for the Louisiana-Monroe game last week. Assuming that the Bulldogs travel much better than the Warhawks (they do), a lot of UK fans seemed to have had better things to do on Halloween.
In a most disturbing scene, a steady flow of UK faithful could be seen heading for Commonwealth Stadium's exits after Newton's interception in the fourth quarter. Mind you, there was still 10:47 left on the game clock of a one-possession game.
Argument against: I'll give Big Blue Nation the benefit of the doubt this time. Ticket prices, bad weather, and Halloween may have deterred many from attending on Saturday. But enough of declaring that the players need to 'show up' more often; if fans want Kentucky to climb into SEC football notoriety, they're going to have to spin the proverbial turnstiles as well.
The test
How to test the aformentioned 'weaknesses' displayed by UK football of late:
1. The players- quarterback play will continue to be spotty until Hartline returns (bet you never thought you'd read that). However, pay close attention to how well the Cats play against Eastern Kentucky, an FCS opponent. Kentucky will get the Colonels' best shot, but should be able to handle their intra-state foe from Richmond. The Cats are also preparing for their fifth contest in as many weeks, and are in the middle of a stretch in which they play nine Saturdays in a row.
2. The coaches- how well a team is prepared is tough to gauge. Playcalling, however, is not: hope for a more efficient performance from the Cats in their next few red zone possessions offensively. On the defensive side of the ball, Steve Brown will have to rally his bruised & battered troops; after UK's contest against EKU, Vanderbilt, Georgia, and Tennessee loom.
3. The fans- I can't blame Big Blue Nation for being hopeful of double-digit wins and a New Year's Day Bowl. However, it appears that a few too many clad in blue-and-white (and black) expected their Cats to accomplish those lofty expectations. Four bowl games in a row is an attainable and respectable goal, one which Brooks-backers can embrace.
So I leave it up to you, Big Blue Nation. Who's to blame? Anybody? Everybody? Post your comment(s) below.
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