The Kentucky Wildcats became bowl eligible on Saturday for a 4th consecutive season under Coach Rich Brooks by beating a "game" Vanderbilt Commodores team 24-13.The Cats didn't necessarily play good football, but they did enough to win. In the first half they couldn't take advantage of Vandy miscues, twice failing to fall on fumbles that were free for the taking. Those missed opportunities allowed Vandy to stay in the game and even lead at half time at 13-10. However, that was all the points Vandy would score as an inspired defense and improved offense pulled away in the second half to secure the win.
There are a couple of things that still concern me with this team and they are not as good as what they could or should be at this point in the season. We picked them to finish 8-4, I don't see that happening now. Matter of fact, it's more likely that they could finish 6-6 with their remaining games, at Georgia and a home date with Tennessee. The Bulldogs are not a vintage Georgia team as they are in full rebuild mode this season. If there were an opportunity to win a game between the hedges, it seems like this season is as good as any. Yet, I have a hard time believing a UK team that could only muster 2 pass plays the entire second half will have much luck moving the ball next week in Athens.
If the Cats are to win another game and solidify their bowl game chances (6 wins means your eligible, but not guaranteed) Tennessee is the likely game. Tennessee was absolutely pounded today against an inconsistent Ole Miss team and off the field distractions have really taken a lot out of the staff in the last few days. Tennessee isn't much better than Kentucky on paper and the fact that the game is in Lexington means UK could actually have some picking them to break their losing streak against the Vols. I predicted it and I am not going to go back on it now, so far I am 9-1 on the season, that's BCS territory.
No matter what happens over the final three weeks of the regular season, Big Blue Nation should be very proud of how far this football program has come. 4 straight bowl eligible teams is pretty remarkable for this program, so let's worry about Georgia and Tennessee later and enjoy this Kentucky Football milestone.
Nice.. Big Earn representing... Don't hurt yourself patting yourself on the back though Jlee.. Good post though and you have been on with your picks this year.. A lot better than my bold predictions going into the basketball season for sure
ReplyDeleteJLEE is money
ReplyDeleteBrooks is still overrated.
ReplyDeleteBrooks is underrated and not appreciated near enough for what he has done with this program. Congratulations to him and his staff.
ReplyDeleteI have mixed emotions about Brooks, but I do think he has done as well as anyone else could have given what he took over. I would like to see them make the next step in the SEC, but Rome wasn't built in a day and they have come a long way.
ReplyDeleteI may be a Debbie Downer, but I can't see us becoming a perennial team in the top half of the SEC. It will be a major feat to become a team that can consistently make bowl games and occassionally knock off ranked opponents and get a New Year's bowl game. Hopefully sometime before Cobb graduates the stars could align and we could even make a BCS game, although I am not holding my breath. Would take a combination of us fielding quality depth alongside down years from SEC powerhouses and other scheduling quirks.
ReplyDeleteDear Debbie,
ReplyDeleteYou're not a downer and I agree. However, just because Kentucky isn't in the mix for an SEC crown doesn't diminish the momentum the program has created. Still, you're right, at some point 6 and 7 win seasons won't be enough if they are going to take the next step.
NOTE: The chances of UK making a bowl game are very good even if they lose their last two regular season games. UF and Bama are all but locks for BCS games which frees up a lot of bids for other SEC teams. Still, it would be nice for the Cats to split the last two games and sure up a good bowl invite.