I think you are right, UK needs to enter the Missouri game at 2-1. Outside of MSST UF has more question marks than anyone heading into the season, I don't count Vandy, with a complete new staff, questions at QB, depth issues on the OL and other than Robinson, possibly the best WR in the East, no playmaker at receiver. Its a game both schools are looking at as a win and the losing team likely sitting home for the bowl season. UK has clear advantage at QB, experience on the OL, RB have different styles but very close, Robinson is the best WR in the game but UK has more. UF probably has an edge on all 3 levels defensively, UK has edge in special teams, at this time in coaching and are at home. The game is a must win for both teams.
Just as UK should have won the UF game last year, actually I think they did but I don't count, USC should have won the game last year too, things happen though and things don't always work out. Again UK has the advantage at QB, but USC probably has the edge at OL, RB is pretty even Wilds has played behind some pretty good backs in Lattimore and Davis. Like UF USC has one very good WR, a bigtime playmaker in Cooper but not a lot to go with him. Both teams were relatively young defensively last year and return a lot of experience from not so good defenses, whoever improves the most will have the edge here. Not many games will SOS not have a coaching edge, UK will have the edge in special teams but USC will have the home field, its the biggest homefield advantage in the East, not only is it loud WB must be built on top of an active volcano, its the hottest place I ever sit 5 hours, its miserable.
UK could win both, but its crucial to win 1 of these 2 games, starting the season 1-2 out the window goes all the confidence the staff has tried to give the team in the off season. It would't be an end to the season, but it likely means beating UofL to get to a bowl again, and I think that is a must this year.
Agreed on all points. Really, I don't expect Florida to be very good, especially in week 3. They have a long, long way to go. It's at least encouraging that last season, UK gave them the run of a lifetime and should have won down in the swamp, and then Florida proceeded to have their entire offensive line drafted, along with a couple of other skill players
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I think Kentucky will be able to spread teams out and take advantage of a few things that weren't possible, or Brown simply wouldn't do. Could move Boom out of the backfield and into the slot, have 5 wide (which was often seen at West Virginia), and it doesn't hurt to have a real receiving threat in CJ Conrad. Could give Boom Williams a huge advantage blowing past a linebacker downfield, could open things up in the middle or in the flats for CJ Conrad, could even open up the QB sneak (if you have a QB that big that can run a 4.6 or better, and is that shifty, use him). Dawson's aggressive offensive mentality should certainly open things up, as opposed to Brown's conservative, east-west offensive mentality.
USCjr. will certainly be tough on the road, but Kentucky always plays a very hard game in Columbia, and Jadaveon Clowney isn't walking through that door. Kentucky returns a ton of its offense, and in all the right positions. The question is how much better will UK's offense be vs South Carolina's defense, and I'm comfortable with that. I also expect Boom to be a factor in this game this season. His explosiveness could really cause a lot of issues for USCjr., especially if Dawson goes for the downfield passing attack early in the game. Plus, I go back to finally having a receiving threat at TE. I can't stress that enough.
Florida is super young, and filled with questions as Grumpy said. None of their offensive line has played any significant snaps. This will be the first time that any of them have played a full game. Important to note that the heavy margin of UK's defense of upperclassmen, and that includes 2/3 of our d-linemen, and 6 of our front 7. They have some very inexperienced skill players as well. I expect downgrades all over the field, except at the QB position, but Treon Harris is too young to have any real consistency yet.
Kentucky needs to capitalize on what they did offensively against Florida last season. They lose their most important component of their defense in Muschamp, and they do lose a couple of very, very good defensive players. Will be tough, but I'm very confident that UK can win this one at home.
Mizzou never comes into form until November. Very glad we got them at home early in the season. They lose all of their playmakers at WR, one of their 1000 yard rushing RB's, retain an inconsistent Maty Mauk for his 13th year of eligibility, and on the defensive side of the ball, they lose Shane Ray and Markus Golden (who will be replaced by a couple of 2 star kids out of high school, but there's a supreme chance that these two aren't the best pass rushing tandem in the SEC). They also lose several other players that seen significant minutes.
It was close last year, and UK was making a run late, but it wasn't enough. I think we could certainly win this game. I simply do not see Mizzou playing as well as they have since arriving in the SEC.
I also need to point back to game one against UL-Lafayette. They're no slouch. One of the most consistent teams in the country, and they have their own version of Boom Williams in Elijah McGuire. Kid is a stud, and makes them one of the better running teams in the country. UK should obviously win, but I want to see our boys come out with intensity and try to light 'em up in a hurry.
