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Things you want to see in the first game

I think Brad White had an awful year last season. We had Alex Afari, Hairston, and Dru Phillips back there and we still got roasted because of the soft coverage.

There is no soft coverage. Just had one guy they kept playing, for whatever reason, who played soft.

This clip shows exactly what im talking about. Nagy is the director of the sr bowl. It shows us playing the dreaded "soft" coverage showing us off 5-7 yards but flying up on the catch for pretty much no gain despite it being a very difficult concept to defend.

There is nothing soft about our coverage. We just occasionally have a soft player. The question should be - why do we play guys we know plays soft? We did with Robinson and dort. It literally cost us games.
 
Solid OL and DL play. Getting plays called in quicker and more efficiently. More aggressive end of 1st half offense to put points on the board and not be content to just run out the clock. No WR drops. Utilize the TE more in the passing game.
Better clock management in a two minute drill is needed. No more giving the opponent time to respond or put up cheap points at the end of the half or end of game.
 
Sadly, you're probably correct. For the life of me, I plain don't understand this 'strategy' at all. We all know that it's unusual for a QB to go a full season without getting nicked up or roll an ankle or whatever. Knowing that, why do we (and many other teams, to be fair) hesitate to put in the backups and let them do what they may be called upon to do later in the year? I can't imagine any coach getting pissed off if our 3rd string offense puts together a 75-yard drive against the opponent's 3rd string. If they do, screw 'em. You don't want our backups to score, that's your responsibility to stop them. Now, running a fake punt (Ole Ball Coach) or double reverse when you're up by 4 TDs is a dick move. But, having your backups running the offense they may have to run against Georgia's first team just seems like being prepared for the unexpected. Having a backup QB turn and hand the ball off 3 times or take a knee (thanks, Scang!) is just plain dumb. You can get backups live reps within the system without completely trying to run up the score.
Shoot, in a game like this, give your QB2 a series in the 2nd qtr. I understand the reasons against that, but if managed decently, the upside is worth the downside. IMO.
 
In semi related discussion, we are a week away from kick-off and there seems to be less information leaking out about who is playing well or not so good. Info on the team in general seems more limited than in years past does it not?
 
In semi related discussion, we are a week away from kick-off and there seems to be less information leaking out about who is playing well or not so good. Info on the team in general seems more limited than in years past does it not?
It does. I guess all the hype during last years camp never materialized so best to keep it close to the vest.
 
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In semi related discussion, we are a week away from kick-off and there seems to be less information leaking out about who is playing well or not so good. Info on the team in general seems more limited than in years past does it not?

Imo part of it is not having coen. Don't get me wrong i think bush is a welcome change but coen was super charismatic with lots of bravado. Plus he always hyped some guys.

I think bush will be better for us and I like his approach much better, but he sounds like a ceo the way he gets into the press conference and gets out without really giving away anything.
 
Imo part of it is not having coen. Don't get me wrong i think bush is a welcome change but coen was super charismatic with lots of bravado. Plus he always hyped some guys.

I think bush will be better for us and I like his approach much better, but he sounds like a ceo the way he gets into the press conference and gets out without really giving away anything.
I hope he's a lot better than Coen was last year. Constantly trying to fit a square peg into a round hole with limited success. Have no idea why it took so long for the play to be called in the huddle (sometimes we'd huddle for more than 10 seconds) - I mean, how many words do you expect the QB to recite and the remaining players to remember in the heat of the game? KISS principle was obviously absent last year.

Wish Liam well but kind of glad he's gone. Did not live up to expectations the second time around and then broke his word to go to Tampa.
 
I hope he's a lot better than Coen was last year. Constantly trying to fit a square peg into a round hole with limited success. Have no idea why it took so long for the play to be called in the huddle (sometimes we'd huddle for more than 10 seconds) - I mean, how many words do you expect the QB to recite and the remaining players to remember in the heat of the game? KISS principle was obviously absent last year.

Wish Liam well but kind of glad he's gone. Did not live up to expectations the second time around and then broke his word to go to Tampa.

Agree totally. Raised many of those points during the season but they weren't received very well. He just seemed totally freewheeling and intent on force feeding brown in a way that wasnt even conducive to his skill set. It literally cost us ball games.

Uk fans loved his charisma and confidence. I loved him too but his decision making was oddly off his second stint.

I think bush is a great choice for us especially if we truly get back to inside zone. I still think for the money we could've gone higher profile but i am pleased with the way he handles himself.
 
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I want to see what we haven't seen consistently, if at all, during Stoops' tenure.

In general, we've seen great Ds, great ground games, and individual talents in those areas perform at high levels.

We need to see moving the chains via the air and pushing the ball to perimeter offensive skill players. We need to see the QB, WR(s), and TE producing.

We need to see a 300+ yard and 3-4 TD passing game.

We need to see the staff play calling to step on the gas after a lead as opposed to conservative cruise control.
 
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I'm not really worried about the defense, they have what they need. Same for the WR's and QB positions. I really want to see the Oline and the RB's. South Carolina game is coming up fast.I cant wait to see the new punter, we need a weapon at the position.I dont expect the offense to show too much with Carolina being so close,so I'm ok with that.Just win.
 
I want to see what we haven't seen consistently, if at all, during Stoops' tenure.

In general, we've seen great Ds great and great ground games and individual talents in those areas perform at high levels.

We need to see moving the chains via the air and pushing the ball to perimeter offensive skill players. We need to see the QB, WR(s), and TE producing.

We need to see a 300+ yard and 3-4 TD passing game.

We need to see the staff play calling to step on the gas after a lead as opposed to conservative cruise control.
I always hear about how great the TEs are and that Vince is coaching them up, but we never fully utilize them except for blocking.
 
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I'm not really worried about the defense, they have what they need. Same for the WR's and QB positions. I really want to see the Oline and the RB's. South Carolina game is coming up fast.I cant wait to see the new punter, we need a weapon at the position.I dont expect the offense to show too much with Carolina being so close,so I'm ok with that.Just win.
I am not okay with the approach of holding things bach for the big game. I doubt that this has won us any big games. Destroy S Miss early and often and put the game out of reach by half-time. Thus, allowing the backups to get meaningful snaps will keep them highly motivated and prove to be more valuable than hidding something from SEC coaches. The SEC coaches know who Stoops is. They have 12 years of history on him
 
I am not okay with the approach of holding things bach for the big game. I doubt that this has won us any big games. Destroy S Miss early and often and put the game out of reach by half-time. Thus, allowing the backups to get meaningful snaps will keep them highly motivated and prove to be more valuable than hidding something from SEC coaches. The SEC coaches know who Stoops is. They have 12 years of history on him
Personally I agree, I'd like to boat race them, but I doubt Stoops will want to show too much in the opener. But then I could be wrong, Maybe he'll open it up.
 
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There is no soft coverage. Just had one guy they kept playing, for whatever reason, who played soft.

This clip shows exactly what im talking about. Nagy is the director of the sr bowl. It shows us playing the dreaded "soft" coverage showing us off 5-7 yards but flying up on the catch for pretty much no gain despite it being a very difficult concept to defend.

There is nothing soft about our coverage. We just occasionally have a soft player. The question should be - why do we play guys we know plays soft? We did with Robinson and dort. It literally cost us games.
That's what some people don't understand they think where a guy lines up, he winds up and this isn't the case. Having said that they do have a lot more talent at DB this year than last year and plan on putting more speed in the box with Childess and Afari line up in LB spots at time so I think we will see some different coverages especially in the shallow zone. I'm interesting in see how that moves shakes out against Tennessee's spread.
 
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Total domination, dont get up 14 and go conservative and squeak out a win.
To be fair, since 2019, UK has covered the point spread every year but once in the opening game.

2019: Kentucky (-11) vs. Toledo | Wildcats 38, Rockets 24
2021: Kentucky (-31) vs. ULM | Wildcats 45, Warhawks 10
2022: Kentucky (-15) vs. Miami (Ohio) | Wildcats 37, RedHawks 13
2023: Kentucky (-25) vs. Ball State | Wildcats 44, Cardinals 14
 
That's what some people don't understand they think where a guy lines up, he winds up and this isn't the case. Having said that they do have a lot more talent at DB this year than last year and plan on putting more speed in the box with Childess and Afari line up in LB spots at time so I think we will see some different coverages especially in the shallow zone. I'm interesting in see how that moves shakes out against Tennessee's spread.
I guess I just don’t understand football, but it seems like the dbs have been getting gashed in the last couple of years.Especially on 3rd and Long. So it’s just because the personnel has been too soft and slow I suppose.
 
I don’t think they were slow or soft: I think they (safeties) arrived quickly to the wrong places against hurry-up offenses.

That is definitely the problem on third down. Childress blew zone responsibility several times last year. He so consistently blew it, opposition would hold that predictable breakdown for 3rd and long or some other crucial situation. Then bam, it was there like money.

Doesn't count the times they exploited him in play action in early down explosive plays.

Obviously this is not how hes coached. With a stable of excellent safeties - why continue to play a guy you and your opponents know will break down. At least with Robinson we were a bit thin at times at cb.

Imo moving childress up to nb will help immensely. Hes an excellent player when he plays his keys but prone to being too aggressive. Imo a way better version of vito and without the drama. At nb he can play aggressive but still have safety help if he bites too hard. Plus it lets us get more talented guys on the field because we have incredible depth at that position.
 
Obviously, a comfortable win with no injuries. But, further than that...

1. Control/dominate the LOS on both sides
2. Getting in and out of the huddle and snapping the ball before we're in low single digits on the play clock
3. BV going through his reads on a few plays and hitting the 2nd or 3rd option
4. Consistent pass rush
5. Much tighter coverage from the DBs - no more 10 yard cushions
6. No dumb penalties - illegal motion, hitting a guy out of bounds, holding 15 yards off the ball, jumping the snap when it's 3rd and short, etc.
7. A comfortable enough lead that both Wimsatt and Allen get to play and actually run plays from the playbook vs straight handoffs and/or taking a knee. Let the 2nd and 3rd team guys run the offense!
8. Much better control of the middle 8 - no just-before-half scores by the opponent and prevent a long scoring drive coming out of halftime
More specifically to your #1, I would love to see the RB’s getting chunk runs. With Trayanum hurt, we desperately need at least one or two among JP, JW and DSK to emerge as a reliable ball carrier.
 
That is definitely the problem on third down. Childress blew zone responsibility several times last year. He so consistently blew it, opposition would hold that predictable breakdown for 3rd and long or some other crucial situation. Then bam, it was there like money.

Doesn't count the times they exploited him in play action in early down explosive plays.

Obviously this is not how hes coached. With a stable of excellent safeties - why continue to play a guy you and your opponents know will break down. At least with Robinson we were a bit thin at times at cb.

Imo moving childress up to nb will help immensely. Hes an excellent player when he plays his keys but prone to being too aggressive. Imo a way better version of vito and without the drama. At nb he can play aggressive but still have safety help if he bites too hard. Plus it lets us get more talented guys on the field because we have incredible depth at that position.
Yeah, Childress consistently bit on playaction or closed down on the crossing route with the WR going past him on the post. Gave up a lot of big plays. Also had some really good plays so I can see getting him on the field. At nickel, as you pointed out, the responsibilities he'll have should match his skills and temperament so that we can benefit from his aggressiveness and not get burned with big plays. With the talent at S now, I think moving him closer to the LOS will be a boon to the defense and allow for more disguise/flexibility (especially against teams who run a ton of tempo - will cut down the need to sub out as he and Afari are so versatile).
 
Two lighting delays and a forfeit. Maybe couple cheerleader views should be enough for opening week.
 
Normal camera angels and a full game.

But it's game one so I'm not getting my hopes up.
 
The O looked really good. Was hoping not to use an early time out due to disorganization but that may never be fixed.
 
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