The plan of these mashups was to stimulate discussion the day after a game. I'm not quitting the mashup thing, but I will probably word them in different ways to see which can get more responses. This time around, I will also add numbers to help you clarify which bit of the mashup you're referencing.
1) Many "fans" were wailing about the first three minutes of the game. I can't tell you how many posts and tweets I saw that read, "Same old Kentucky," "put Barker in," "Our defense SUCKS," and the like. You should be forced to sit out a season of watching CFB for that crap. Football has four quarters.
2) On the flip side of that, I cannot express my gratitude to the real fans who made the trip and even started a "Go Big Blue" chant on several occasions.... ON THE DAMN ROAD! Kentucky has not had this level of commitment in all my time as a fan, and it was impressive to watch/hear.
3) Towles performed much closer to his potential. If Baker catches the pass that hit him right in the hands, Towles has over 75% completions for the game. Oh well, I guess we can live with 72%.
4) A lot of folks point fingers at Towles for the second half woes. Me personally, I feel it's all on Dawson. We had an offense ready to come out in rhythm and we went conservative to preserve the lead. Running up the gut for no gain, running outside for no gain, screen passes on 3rd and long for little to no gain. I don't think we even threw a forward pass in a series until the second to last series, and by that time the offense was out of sync and reeling from the momentum shift. Dawson HAS to do a better job than that in the future, because that play calling WILL cost us games. Play to win, don't play to not lose- we have too much talent for that crock of bull.
5) Our receivers played incredibly well again. Just think, most of them are only Sophomores.
6) Our running back corps ranks among the best in the history of our program in my opinion (as far as depth and skill). Boom with the big plays, Horton with the power, and Kemp with the threat to swing wide and catch a pass.
7) Our Oline played well until the second half when they were getting hammered. S.Car was playing the run, and again, this unit looked a lot worse than it should have given Dawson's play calls. This unit is not without issues, though, and the penalties need to get cut out as soon as possible. Those will kill us in close games. I think Meadows and Swindle played great football, and Toth played a great game as well. For those panicking the false start was not actually on Swindle, it was on the guard Haynes I think. Ref mistake.
8) Our Defensive Line got push several times this game, but also got pushed several times. My thoughts are that the line is good, but not great. That may get a shot in the arm when Hatcher returns, but until we see that, I'm not betting the house.
9) Linebackers played astronomically better this game than they did last game. For being a supposed backup, Khalid Henderson has played some incredible football. The effectiveness at the position will only increase when we get our two starting OLBs back.
10) The secondary played very well. The wrinkle of the corner blitz really took me by surprise. Westry performed incredibly well for a freshman on the road in the SEC.
11) Get used to the opponent getting 6ypc and throwing into the middle of our zone. The offense will get their shots, but the game changes in the red zone, and that is where we get em. Bend but don't break, and 3 field goal tries in a row. Wow.
12) If Florida's Heargraves is out, look for us to come up with some interesting facets to take advantage of that loss. If he plays, look for us to test him a few times.
13) I don't know what the Hell is happening to our kickers and punters, but the effort I saw last night was pitiful. We've got to get more consistent at punting the ball. Special teams has the chance to be amazing. They just need to put it together.
14) It feels good to be 2-0 as opposed to 0-2. We're tied for first in the East and we get Florida at home next Saturday. Auburn is beatable, and at this point, the only game I'd actually predict us to lose is Georgia. Maybe Tennessee, but that depends on our personnel at the game and how much depth has worn down. The rest are very winnable games and we as a fan base should be incredibly excited.
15) The program is on the upswing. We have a lot to improve on, but it will get done. We will improve, and that leads me to believe that UK might be ranked next week if we beat Florida. If not then, we have a chance to make a splash with Mizzou. Assuming we win both of those games, I cannot imagine us not getting a few votes for the top 25. This is a different team than the one Stoops inherited three years ago, folks. Hold on for the ride.
16) Horton injured his neck last night. If and when we learn what the extent of the injury is, I'll try to post it here if it hasn't already been.
Mashup Question: How does this game make you feel about the rest of the season? What are your expectations at this point?
Have a great Sunday, all. Go Big Blue!
1) Many "fans" were wailing about the first three minutes of the game. I can't tell you how many posts and tweets I saw that read, "Same old Kentucky," "put Barker in," "Our defense SUCKS," and the like. You should be forced to sit out a season of watching CFB for that crap. Football has four quarters.
2) On the flip side of that, I cannot express my gratitude to the real fans who made the trip and even started a "Go Big Blue" chant on several occasions.... ON THE DAMN ROAD! Kentucky has not had this level of commitment in all my time as a fan, and it was impressive to watch/hear.
3) Towles performed much closer to his potential. If Baker catches the pass that hit him right in the hands, Towles has over 75% completions for the game. Oh well, I guess we can live with 72%.
4) A lot of folks point fingers at Towles for the second half woes. Me personally, I feel it's all on Dawson. We had an offense ready to come out in rhythm and we went conservative to preserve the lead. Running up the gut for no gain, running outside for no gain, screen passes on 3rd and long for little to no gain. I don't think we even threw a forward pass in a series until the second to last series, and by that time the offense was out of sync and reeling from the momentum shift. Dawson HAS to do a better job than that in the future, because that play calling WILL cost us games. Play to win, don't play to not lose- we have too much talent for that crock of bull.
5) Our receivers played incredibly well again. Just think, most of them are only Sophomores.
6) Our running back corps ranks among the best in the history of our program in my opinion (as far as depth and skill). Boom with the big plays, Horton with the power, and Kemp with the threat to swing wide and catch a pass.
7) Our Oline played well until the second half when they were getting hammered. S.Car was playing the run, and again, this unit looked a lot worse than it should have given Dawson's play calls. This unit is not without issues, though, and the penalties need to get cut out as soon as possible. Those will kill us in close games. I think Meadows and Swindle played great football, and Toth played a great game as well. For those panicking the false start was not actually on Swindle, it was on the guard Haynes I think. Ref mistake.
8) Our Defensive Line got push several times this game, but also got pushed several times. My thoughts are that the line is good, but not great. That may get a shot in the arm when Hatcher returns, but until we see that, I'm not betting the house.
9) Linebackers played astronomically better this game than they did last game. For being a supposed backup, Khalid Henderson has played some incredible football. The effectiveness at the position will only increase when we get our two starting OLBs back.
10) The secondary played very well. The wrinkle of the corner blitz really took me by surprise. Westry performed incredibly well for a freshman on the road in the SEC.
11) Get used to the opponent getting 6ypc and throwing into the middle of our zone. The offense will get their shots, but the game changes in the red zone, and that is where we get em. Bend but don't break, and 3 field goal tries in a row. Wow.
12) If Florida's Heargraves is out, look for us to come up with some interesting facets to take advantage of that loss. If he plays, look for us to test him a few times.
13) I don't know what the Hell is happening to our kickers and punters, but the effort I saw last night was pitiful. We've got to get more consistent at punting the ball. Special teams has the chance to be amazing. They just need to put it together.
14) It feels good to be 2-0 as opposed to 0-2. We're tied for first in the East and we get Florida at home next Saturday. Auburn is beatable, and at this point, the only game I'd actually predict us to lose is Georgia. Maybe Tennessee, but that depends on our personnel at the game and how much depth has worn down. The rest are very winnable games and we as a fan base should be incredibly excited.
15) The program is on the upswing. We have a lot to improve on, but it will get done. We will improve, and that leads me to believe that UK might be ranked next week if we beat Florida. If not then, we have a chance to make a splash with Mizzou. Assuming we win both of those games, I cannot imagine us not getting a few votes for the top 25. This is a different team than the one Stoops inherited three years ago, folks. Hold on for the ride.
16) Horton injured his neck last night. If and when we learn what the extent of the injury is, I'll try to post it here if it hasn't already been.
Mashup Question: How does this game make you feel about the rest of the season? What are your expectations at this point?
Have a great Sunday, all. Go Big Blue!
