Kentucky Faces A Third Straight SEC Challenge

Cats Prepare for Next Challenge: Arkansas Razorbacks

It’s big. Really Big. After winning the first four games against lesser opponents the Wildcats have failed to win the last two in conference games and now face a must-win Saturday against Arkansas.

If the Wildcats hope to get off the losing path they MUST get some kind of offensive production. The offense has seen its woes all season but really wasn’t fully exploited before last week, when South Carolina held the Cat offense to just a 1for 16 mark on third down and failed to move the ball at any point in the game. Mistakes made by quarterback Mike Hartline seemed more prevalent than ever as he constantly over and under threw receivers.

Hartline acknowledged it was not his best game but did not take the full blame as he handed some of the offensive problems to his supporting cast.

. “Some of those passes were on me but some were on the receivers as well”, said Hartline. With the lack of help from his supporting cast of play makers the Cats will continue to have problems moving the ball and scoring points.

However, the offensive struggles might be able to subside with this week’s opponent. Arkansas enters the Commonwealth with the worst defense in the SEC. They have been outscored by a total of 112-212 this season and give up 183 yards per game in on the ground.

The lack luster defense that Arkansas fields plays right into the Cats offensive stragegy. They will look to run early and often with the rotating backs of Locke, Smith, and Dixon. So far this season, the rushing attack has averaged 129 yards per game and has scored 9 of the teams 19 offensive touchdowns.

Another reason for the Cats to be hopeful to getting off the losing path is that Arkansas has been out scored BIG early in the game. The Razorbacks have scored only 3 points total in the first quarter. It will be crucial for Kentucky to get off to a fast start.

The game is a must win for the Cats as four of the next five games are against ranked opponents. A win gets Kentucky one game closer to bowl eligibility and a chance to shake up the SEC Eastern division.

KEYS to Victory-

1) Start Fast- Kentucky MUST score early and put Arkansas in a hole. Arkansas is -1.3 turnover margin and seems to struggle most in the passing game. IF the Cats can get up early, they will be forced to pass and this is a MAJOR WEAKNESS for the Razorbacks.

2) RUN- Wildcats need to run the ball early and often…the passing game is NON EXISTANT for the Wildcats and teams are having tremendous success against the Razorback front seven.

3) GET TURNOVERS- Its something the Cats defense has thrived on all season. Kentucky leads the SEC in takeaways and scoring defense.

OVERALL PROJECTION—

Two straight weeks of SEC losses will end this weekend. Kentucky’s offense might be terrible, but so too is most SEC teams this season. The defense will make plays and create points on its own. Kentucky’s defense is playing at a level NEVER seen in the BLUEGRASS and that will continue.

Kentucky 27, Arkansas 13