Saturday’s matchup between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers could not have been a more opportunistic spot for the Big Blue to bounce back after a throttling home loss last Saturday to the Georgia Bulldogs.
The Wildcats were road favorites in a SEC game for just the ninth time over the span of the last decade. While their previous record was 7-1 in those games, the trend did not prevail as Kentucky was embarrassed in a 24-7 loss.
Sitting at 7-2 on the season, winning out was not only in the Wildcats’ favor but also would have most likely asserted Kentucky into the College Football Playoff Top-10 for a premiere bowl game appearance.
Now, though, a three loss Kentucky team will surely need blowout wins (which they’re capable of) against Middle Tennessee and Louisville to end the season if they wish to reach superior bowl status.
As for Saturday’s debacle against the Volunteers, nothing went right for Kentucky.
Inefficient play-calling, playing without a sense of urgency or simply being unprepared could all be said in unison with the lack of effort displayed by the Wildcats.
Running back Benny Snell had an “alright” afternoon, carrying the ball 20 times for 81 yards while adding six catches for 25 yards. Quarterback Terry Wilson wasn’t any better, throwing for just 172 yards to pass for a touchdown as well as an interception.
With below-average games by the two players on Kentucky’s offense that touch the ball the most, the skies only grew darker for the Wildcats.
On defense, injuries began to pile up as Kash Daniel suffered a blow to the mid-section and Mike Edwards also was nicked. Darius West missing the first half (targeting last week against the Bulldogs) was also a disadvantage, which could explain Tennessee’s 17 first half points that put Kentucky in what seemed like a bottomless hole.
Overreacting after any loss is ill-advised, though head coach Mark Stoops’s “second half of the season” coaching record doesn’t scream much reason for enthusiasm. Stoops is 9-19 in the second half of seasons during his Kentucky tenure.
Calling for jobs is also an ignorant, but offensive coordinator Eddie Gran may not have an office in Lexington following the 2018 season. Offensive issues have been well-disguised for most of the season due to Kentucky’s elite defense, however when the Wildcats’ have needed to score in situational football… they’ve mostly came up short.
There are two highly-winnable games that remain, along with what should be Kentucky’s best bowl game in ages… but don’t be surprised if changes to the coaching staff are made following the season. Kentucky controlled their destiny to the SEC Championship with their deepest, most veteran-rich team they’ve seen in decades, yet managed to turn the clocks back and show Big Blue Nation the mediocrity they’re used to seeing.
Next Saturday’s home game against Middle Tennessee is scheduled to kick-off at 12 P.M. EDT.