Football season is just ten days old, but it already feels like mid-November to many. Following Kentucky's 35-10 run to start the USM game, the Cats were outscored a ridiculous 79-0 (and by two unranked football teams). Think about that for a second. UK returns to action this weekend, facing off against New Mexico State. The Aggies head to Lexington fresh off a 32-31 win over arch rival New Mexico. With any luck, maybe they'll overlook Kentucky ![[laughing]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/classic/laugh.r191677.gif "Laughing [laughing]")
. Certainly, Kentucky can't overlook anybody. UK needed a minor miracle last year to beat EKU, and you can make a very good case that last years team was better than the version we've seen so far in '16. For Mark Stoops, his UK tenure is at a crossroads. Improved recruiting has yet to produce much of anything between the lines. Two humiliating losses to start the '16 campaign will likely result in tens of thousand of empty seats the rest of the way. There's still time to right the ship, but that time will have run out if the Cats fall this weekend. A loss to the Aggies would essentially end the '16 season.
Line: Kentucky -18
Series: This is the first meeting between Kentucky and New Mexico State
Television/Time: SEC Network/4pm Eastern
Kentucky offense vs. New Mexico State defense: Advantage Kentucky
Over the last six quarters, Kentucky's offense has been as bad as any offense at any level of any team in America. Even WITH the issues UK has at tackle, why this unit has struggled so badly is a mystery. I think Eddie Gran has done a piss poor job of figuring out how to get the football to his playmakers in the open field (or "in space" as it is referred to nowadays). How does CJ Conrad have only two targets through eight quarters? Gran's opening play call at Florida was an absolute joke, and it set the tone for the entire afternoon. You have a porous offensive line going against one of the nations best defenses, yet, you call a pass play with minimum protection? Yeah, Dew Barker got knocked into next week. Speaking of Barker, his performance against UF was historically woeful. You might never see a worse performance from a quarterback. It's on Gran to get Barker going. Then again, UK's QB was picked off on a WR screen (that's pretty rare). In this week's matchup, the Cats are facing a defense that's allowed over 400 ypg against two pretty poor football teams. In all seriousness, if UK's offense can't get going this week, they should forfeit their last nine games and save us the trouble. NMSU allowed over 200 yards rushing against New Mexico (nearly five yards per carry). Kentucky should be able to run the football at will against the Aggies. Boom Williams "should" get the football early and often. Hopefully, someone reminds Gran that he has one of college football's elite TE prospects. If you're NMSU, you have to put 7-8 in the box and force Barker to beat you. Clearly, Barker's confidence is shaken. I'd imagine that's the route we'll see the Aggie staff take. Best guess, UK puts up 35+ points and 400+ yards. If they don't, things are way worse than I could have ever imagined.
Kentucky defense vs. New Mexico State offense: Slight Advantage Kentucky
Giving this unit the edge over ANYBODY makes me nervous. Mark Stoops said he plans on being more involved with the defense as the season moves along. Not sure what that means, but it sure as hell can't hurt. No matter how involved he gets, the front seven isn't going to suddenly become more talented. Depth is non-existent on the DL. The LB's are still young and playing woeful football. The one guy I've enjoyed watching is Jordan Jones. The kid plays like he actually gives a rats ass! Wish more Cats would follow suit. The Aggies offense isn't high octane and SHOULD allow UK an opportunity to gain some much needed confidence. RB Larry Rose is a stud, but he hasn't played yet this season. QB Tyler Rogers seems like a mediocre passer at best. He runs the football on occasion, but I wouldn't really consider him much of a true "dual threat" (he's no Lamar Jackson...LOL). UK's secondary should matchup well with the NMSU receivers. NMSU does spread the field and use a ton of play action (same as almost everyone). This is a matchup that should allow Kentucky to get into its opponents backfield early and often. Last week, the Lobos totaled nine tackles for loss against NMSU. UK should be able to eclipse that number. NMSU had a tough time running the football against the Lobos (less than 3.0 ypc). As long as Kentucky can duplicate that, they'll be in good shape.
Special Teams: Advantage New Mexico State
NMSU Kicker Parker Davidson is 5-5 in FGA this season. Then again, he's missed two PAT's. Honestly though, I did almost no research on their special teams. No need to. UK's special teams is a train wreck. In week one, UK had a punt partially blocked and botched a field goal attempt. Last week, the Cats missed a short field goal attempt. In short, UK seems to screw something up almost every week.
NMSU will win if...they own the LOS on both sides. On defense, make Barker beat you.
UK will win if...Gran gets the running game going and the d-line lives in the Aggie o-backfield.
Prediction...Kentucky 48 New Mexico State 13...Cats finally cover!
Previous Picks (0-2 S/U, 0-2 ATS)
UK 31 USM 27
UF 23 UK 10
GBB!!!
. Certainly, Kentucky can't overlook anybody. UK needed a minor miracle last year to beat EKU, and you can make a very good case that last years team was better than the version we've seen so far in '16. For Mark Stoops, his UK tenure is at a crossroads. Improved recruiting has yet to produce much of anything between the lines. Two humiliating losses to start the '16 campaign will likely result in tens of thousand of empty seats the rest of the way. There's still time to right the ship, but that time will have run out if the Cats fall this weekend. A loss to the Aggies would essentially end the '16 season. Line: Kentucky -18
Series: This is the first meeting between Kentucky and New Mexico State
Television/Time: SEC Network/4pm Eastern
Kentucky offense vs. New Mexico State defense: Advantage Kentucky
Over the last six quarters, Kentucky's offense has been as bad as any offense at any level of any team in America. Even WITH the issues UK has at tackle, why this unit has struggled so badly is a mystery. I think Eddie Gran has done a piss poor job of figuring out how to get the football to his playmakers in the open field (or "in space" as it is referred to nowadays). How does CJ Conrad have only two targets through eight quarters? Gran's opening play call at Florida was an absolute joke, and it set the tone for the entire afternoon. You have a porous offensive line going against one of the nations best defenses, yet, you call a pass play with minimum protection? Yeah, Dew Barker got knocked into next week. Speaking of Barker, his performance against UF was historically woeful. You might never see a worse performance from a quarterback. It's on Gran to get Barker going. Then again, UK's QB was picked off on a WR screen (that's pretty rare). In this week's matchup, the Cats are facing a defense that's allowed over 400 ypg against two pretty poor football teams. In all seriousness, if UK's offense can't get going this week, they should forfeit their last nine games and save us the trouble. NMSU allowed over 200 yards rushing against New Mexico (nearly five yards per carry). Kentucky should be able to run the football at will against the Aggies. Boom Williams "should" get the football early and often. Hopefully, someone reminds Gran that he has one of college football's elite TE prospects. If you're NMSU, you have to put 7-8 in the box and force Barker to beat you. Clearly, Barker's confidence is shaken. I'd imagine that's the route we'll see the Aggie staff take. Best guess, UK puts up 35+ points and 400+ yards. If they don't, things are way worse than I could have ever imagined.
Kentucky defense vs. New Mexico State offense: Slight Advantage Kentucky
Giving this unit the edge over ANYBODY makes me nervous. Mark Stoops said he plans on being more involved with the defense as the season moves along. Not sure what that means, but it sure as hell can't hurt. No matter how involved he gets, the front seven isn't going to suddenly become more talented. Depth is non-existent on the DL. The LB's are still young and playing woeful football. The one guy I've enjoyed watching is Jordan Jones. The kid plays like he actually gives a rats ass! Wish more Cats would follow suit. The Aggies offense isn't high octane and SHOULD allow UK an opportunity to gain some much needed confidence. RB Larry Rose is a stud, but he hasn't played yet this season. QB Tyler Rogers seems like a mediocre passer at best. He runs the football on occasion, but I wouldn't really consider him much of a true "dual threat" (he's no Lamar Jackson...LOL). UK's secondary should matchup well with the NMSU receivers. NMSU does spread the field and use a ton of play action (same as almost everyone). This is a matchup that should allow Kentucky to get into its opponents backfield early and often. Last week, the Lobos totaled nine tackles for loss against NMSU. UK should be able to eclipse that number. NMSU had a tough time running the football against the Lobos (less than 3.0 ypc). As long as Kentucky can duplicate that, they'll be in good shape.
Special Teams: Advantage New Mexico State
NMSU Kicker Parker Davidson is 5-5 in FGA this season. Then again, he's missed two PAT's. Honestly though, I did almost no research on their special teams. No need to. UK's special teams is a train wreck. In week one, UK had a punt partially blocked and botched a field goal attempt. Last week, the Cats missed a short field goal attempt. In short, UK seems to screw something up almost every week.
NMSU will win if...they own the LOS on both sides. On defense, make Barker beat you.
UK will win if...Gran gets the running game going and the d-line lives in the Aggie o-backfield.
Prediction...Kentucky 48 New Mexico State 13...Cats finally cover!
Previous Picks (0-2 S/U, 0-2 ATS)
UK 31 USM 27
UF 23 UK 10
GBB!!!
