Why? Here we go...
-Christopher Rodriguez will be the best back in the SEC in 2021. Want me to say it again? CRod will be the best ball carrier in the SEC in 2021. In 2020 CRod averaged 6.6 ypc, the highest in the SEC. 6.6 yds in an All-SEC schedule. 6.6 yds in an all SEC schedule where the defense knew we were likely running almost every play. Its even more crazy when you factor in that he was put in most of our short yardage situations which hurt his ypc avg a bit. And it seems Coen wants to get CRod the ball in passing situations as well.
-We will see an actual decent passing attack. What people may not realize, is that we dont need an Andre Woodson. We need a game manager that can make the mid-range throws and maybe open it up a few times a game. And I believe we will get just that in Levis and/or Gatewood this season.
-Tennesse, SC, Louisville, and Vanderbilt are going to be hot messes. Theres no secret there. We destroyed Tennessee this past season and it seems their entire team and good recruits have left in droves. We get SC early in the season while they try to rebuild after manhandling them last year and one could argue that they are going to take another step back this season. Vanderbilt could take an inch forward, but theres no reason that we shouldnt win. And Louisville needs no explanation, they may need to go to the local D2 schools to find some guys that want to be there.
-The secondary will be a strong point. It seems every season the secondary gets off to a rough start, but it is fair to expect otherwise this year with an embarrassment of experience. 4 5th+ year seniors will be starting in Yusuf Corker, Cedrick Dort, Davonte Robinson(NB), and Tyrell Ajian. With 5th yr SR Quandre Mosely backing up at CB.
-JJ Weaver can be a game changer if healthy. I would like to hope he is ready game 1. But Weaver is a player I am most excited about. After his injury, coach White stated that Weaver is the best defensive player on the field. Which is high praise when there was a 1st round pick on the field as well. Weaver will likely take a few games to get back to true form, but I have high hopes.
-Best WR duo under Mark Stoops. That may not be saying much, but Robinson and Ali will be the best receiving duo that Stoops & co has had access to, as well as the best group of tight ends.
There is absolutely question marks for this UK team. The front 7 will have some questions, particularly at middle linebacker, Weaver's health, and who's going to take most of the snaps beside McCall at DT. And the obvious question at QB, although it seems the passing game has nowhere to go but up.
With Coen's new system, a WR duo that hasnt been seen at UK in a long time, a RB that will benefit from the defense having to prepare for more than just a rushing attack, I think it will be the best Stoops offense yet, and judging by Stoops demeanor and giddiness, I think he believes so, too.
I am still huge on Wallace to come in and help the LB group immediately. Probably the best looking LB coming in since Oats. With or without Jacquez Jones, I think he turns some heads and forces his way on the field plenty this season. Square, Jones, Wallace, Casey, and Bembry will be enough to solidify the middle at linebacker IMO.
The schedule seems to be one of the most promising parts of it all. There are a lot of struggling teams that we play. This will likely be one of our crappiest groups of nonconference opponents in modern history.
Wins:
La Monroe, Chattanooga, NM State, UofL
Likely Wins:
Tennessee, @SC, @Vanderbilt
Favored:
@Miss State
Tossup:
Missouri
Not Favored:
LSU, Florida
Unlikely wins:
@Georgia
I cant wait for this season.
-Christopher Rodriguez will be the best back in the SEC in 2021. Want me to say it again? CRod will be the best ball carrier in the SEC in 2021. In 2020 CRod averaged 6.6 ypc, the highest in the SEC. 6.6 yds in an All-SEC schedule. 6.6 yds in an all SEC schedule where the defense knew we were likely running almost every play. Its even more crazy when you factor in that he was put in most of our short yardage situations which hurt his ypc avg a bit. And it seems Coen wants to get CRod the ball in passing situations as well.
-We will see an actual decent passing attack. What people may not realize, is that we dont need an Andre Woodson. We need a game manager that can make the mid-range throws and maybe open it up a few times a game. And I believe we will get just that in Levis and/or Gatewood this season.
-Tennesse, SC, Louisville, and Vanderbilt are going to be hot messes. Theres no secret there. We destroyed Tennessee this past season and it seems their entire team and good recruits have left in droves. We get SC early in the season while they try to rebuild after manhandling them last year and one could argue that they are going to take another step back this season. Vanderbilt could take an inch forward, but theres no reason that we shouldnt win. And Louisville needs no explanation, they may need to go to the local D2 schools to find some guys that want to be there.
-The secondary will be a strong point. It seems every season the secondary gets off to a rough start, but it is fair to expect otherwise this year with an embarrassment of experience. 4 5th+ year seniors will be starting in Yusuf Corker, Cedrick Dort, Davonte Robinson(NB), and Tyrell Ajian. With 5th yr SR Quandre Mosely backing up at CB.
-JJ Weaver can be a game changer if healthy. I would like to hope he is ready game 1. But Weaver is a player I am most excited about. After his injury, coach White stated that Weaver is the best defensive player on the field. Which is high praise when there was a 1st round pick on the field as well. Weaver will likely take a few games to get back to true form, but I have high hopes.
-Best WR duo under Mark Stoops. That may not be saying much, but Robinson and Ali will be the best receiving duo that Stoops & co has had access to, as well as the best group of tight ends.
There is absolutely question marks for this UK team. The front 7 will have some questions, particularly at middle linebacker, Weaver's health, and who's going to take most of the snaps beside McCall at DT. And the obvious question at QB, although it seems the passing game has nowhere to go but up.
With Coen's new system, a WR duo that hasnt been seen at UK in a long time, a RB that will benefit from the defense having to prepare for more than just a rushing attack, I think it will be the best Stoops offense yet, and judging by Stoops demeanor and giddiness, I think he believes so, too.
I am still huge on Wallace to come in and help the LB group immediately. Probably the best looking LB coming in since Oats. With or without Jacquez Jones, I think he turns some heads and forces his way on the field plenty this season. Square, Jones, Wallace, Casey, and Bembry will be enough to solidify the middle at linebacker IMO.
The schedule seems to be one of the most promising parts of it all. There are a lot of struggling teams that we play. This will likely be one of our crappiest groups of nonconference opponents in modern history.
Wins:
La Monroe, Chattanooga, NM State, UofL
Likely Wins:
Tennessee, @SC, @Vanderbilt
Favored:
@Miss State
Tossup:
Missouri
Not Favored:
LSU, Florida
Unlikely wins:
@Georgia
I cant wait for this season.
