Q&A with Wildcat Blue Nation
Oct 24, 2013; Starkville, MS, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver A.J. Legree (6) misses a passing play that is broken up by Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Kivon Coman (33) and Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Cedric Jiles (13) during the game at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State Bulldogs win the game against Kentucky Wildcats 28-22. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Wildcat Blue Nation was kind enough to answer some questions for us about Kentucky football…
1. What is the strength of the Kentucky team this year?
"Our running game and our defensive line. Mark Stoops has an impressive stable of backs and it is probably the best collection of running backs we have had in years. It makes it hard to prepare as you never know which back will get a lot of work. All ouf our backs have that big play potential from Boom Williams to former Nebraska back Braylon Heard and Jojo Kemp. All have ripped off huge gains this year and while they are just scratching the tip of their potential.On defense, we have Bud Dupree and Za’Darius Smith. Both of these guys will be playing in the NFL soon. This is still a very young team as the bulk of our big players on offense are freshmen and sophomore. WR Ryan Timmons has the ability to score every time he gets the ball."
2. What is an area of weakness.
"Even with a good line, we have struggled stopping the run this year. UT Martin ran all over us and if Steve Spurrier would have kept with his game plan of feeding Mike Davis, South Carolina would have beaten us. We did keep Fournette in check last week, but I shudder thinking about Prescott and Josh Robinson. Our LB’s would probably be the weakest unit, but they are overperforming a bit right now."
3. Who are a few players MSU fans might not know about, but should?
"He is leading the team in tackles but Josh Forrest is an amazing story at LB. He is a converted two star WR and is getting better every game. Melvin Lewis redshirted last year and is a former JUCO player that is tearing it on at DT right now. But if you are looking for a player that may step up, I’d look at Mikel Horton. He has played very well at RB so far this year, but has not gotten as many carries. With Boom Williams still doubtful, Horton is ready to step up should his number be called."
4. In 2007, UK knocked off then #1 and eventual national champion LSU in Lexington. Has that come up this week?
"About a million times. IF we had beaten LSU, this would have overshadowed the basketball Cats. Of course #1 Alabama came into Commonwealth last year and crushed us. but Kentucky fans can feel the upset seeing how close we came to winning on the road last year. I realize that this is not the same Bulldog team, but this is not the same Kentucky team either and we are playing very well at home. The fans want to knock off #1 so it should be a great game and environment."
5. What is your outlook for the game?
"Honestly, I think it is a toss-up, but Mississippi State should win. That said, it will be interesting to see how we respond to the beating that LSU put on us. Up until then, our players had the mentality that they should be undefeated as they should have handled Florida. LSU was a burst of reality, but in all honesty, we kind of self-imploded. Our defense played very well the first half, but special teams errors destroyed us. On several occasions. That, and playing in Death Valley was too much.Hopefully, Stoops is able to get that behind his team and have this team ready to play. This team wants redemption and what better redemption can you get other than knocking off #1? It’s a huge target on your back so get ready for a brave new world. I really like this team and the fight they have. We play well at home and came back from 14 point deficits twice against South Carolina so it is not the old Kentucky team. Your running game scares me but I think we may be prepared for Prescott as we run the Wildcat a good bit with JoJo Kemp. It’s not quite the same thing, but I think this bunch is up to the challenge. I expect a high scoring game though and it may just come down to who has the ball at the end, just like last year."