Link: UK defense embraces Alabama challenge

[NYBamaFan]

Well, I never liked to get into that braggadocious "we'll stomp 'em" thing so soon... but in discussing any differeences in Ky's D this year with last - ya'll say they have the same players this year, but what you left out was that they have a new coach for defense (Chris Thurmond) - who used to coach for Alabama (he coached defense then too- the Charlie Peprah crowd) - he's good, folks - so I look for improvement in their D this year - HOWEVER: I fully expect us to win the game. I just hope it doean't turn out to be like the Tulane win: I personally like 'em to be lots more convincing that that - guess it just depends on which Alabama team shows up to play on Saturday! I just hope they're not too cocky after last week's awesome game!!

Good catch. I thought that CCT was with them last season...

 

[Leeroy]

I wouldn't be to quick to sell Kentucky short. Those aren't a group of midgets they line up on D. They will be much tougher than many think. We may need to adopt the alcohol industry's slogan here, please drink the Kool-Aid responsibly.

http://kentucky.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp



Roll Tide

 

[rolltidescott]

Kentucky has every reason to be confident. However, aswas stated previously, if we play our game, we win (probably by 17).

 

[ROLLTRIBE]

I for one hope that our team has more respect for the UK defense than do some of those posting to this thread. If not, then we all may be crying the blues on Sunday. :BigA:

 

[markenk]

Some here make it sound like this game is going to be a walk in the park... :conf2:

I really hope that our players show up focused and businesslike, and show more respect to UK than fans do here.

 

[NYBamaFan]

Some here make it sound like this game is going to be a walk in the park... :conf2:

I really hope that our players show up focused and businesslike, and show more respect to UK than fans do here.

For me, this has nothing to do with "respect". The best scoring offense that they have faced is Louisville, and they are 61st in the country (down year) - and no one else is even in the top 100. By contrast, Bama's scoring offense is ranked 19th in the country. It has been a long time since we had an offense that was every bit as good as our defense (if not better).

It is more a confidence in our team than any disrespect for theirs. Losing to Bama this year is not something to get down about. A whole lot of teams are going to lose to Bama this year...

 

[RamJammer]

NYBamaFan: CCT is in his first year there at Kent now - he was at Houston the last couple of years. Great coach - great guy - great family. Wish he was back at Alabama - but CNS doesn't know him at all. I know CCT would love to be back here - he loves Alabama.

 

[Bama Lee]

Too bad for Kentucky that PAC-10 officials aren't calling the game.... If they were, then the Wildcats could put 12 men in the box to stop our running game! :eek2:

 

[rizolltizide]

They have this killer defense thanks to wins over:
Louisville
Norfolk St.
Middle TN. St.
Western KY.

Sorry. I'm not impressed.

Looks eerily similar to the way Georgia had built their stats coming into the game, huh.

One things for certain, as Verne would say, this ain't Norfolk State.

 

[kayakerjess]

I for one hope that our team has more respect for the UK defense than do some of those posting to this thread. If not, then we all may be crying the blues on Sunday. :BigA:

Some here make it sound like this game is going to be a walk in the park... :conf2:

I really hope that our players show up focused and businesslike, and show more respect to UK than fans do here.

I agree completely. UK's defense might be overrated, but no one will know for sure until Saturday. However, one sure way to get whipped in the SEC is to prepare all week as if you were playing a creampuff. I hope our players and coaches are practicing as if they were playing the best defense in the league this Saturday.

 

[i_live_4_bama]

LOL - like they have a choice? Embrace the Darkness

Their defense wasn't very good last year, and they have almost everyone back. Somehow we are supposed to believe that they have a great defense now with those same players; that they improved that much. I don't buy it...

Keep in mind...we have the same O line back from last year. Last year they couldn't pass or run block. And this year they are one of the best lines(if not the best) in America. So yes, there can be dramatic improvement from 1 year to the next.

 

[rolltidescott]

Unless I missed it, I don't thin anyone in this thread said UK was no good...

Have they played weak competition? You bet.
Can they beat us? You bet.
If Bama comes out ready to play do we win? You bet.

 

[NYBamaFan]

Keep in mind...we have the same O line back from last year. Last year they couldn't pass or run block. And this year they are one of the best lines(if not the best) in America. So yes, there can be dramatic improvement from 1 year to the next.

IMO, bookgate was the issue that ruined our O-Line performance last season. They had put together a pretty good season up to that point. But I will admit that another season together could have made them better. Heck, it couldn't hurt.

Again, my posts in thread are more a reflection of my confidence in our team, not a lack of respect for theirs...

 

[GeorgiaTider]

LOL - like they have a choice? Embrace the Darkness

Their defense wasn't very good last year, and they have almost everyone back. Somehow we are supposed to believe that they have a great defense now with those same players; that they improved that much. I don't buy it...

The same could be said for our O Line. A year can make a difference.

 

[ukrednek]

I can't buy the Kentucky defense story, but I hope our players do. And our O-line from last year performed pretty well up to and including the LSU game. Granted not helping the score beyond 14 points in each of the next three games was pretty bad, but I don't think the comparisons of our O-Line last year to this year and their defense last year to this year are valid.

 

[Crimson Cat]

I watched the UK/'Ville game and UK's defense looked pretty stout. I question their offense though, they didn't look that good. Still they're undefeated, and their team has pulled off upsets before so I expect they'll come in ready to play. Their special teams play is pretty good too if I'm not mistaken. Is it Lyon's that is the good return guy for them?
Having said that, I still think Bama's Oline and Dline will continue to dominate the line of scrimmage and special teams will improve this week to win this one for Bama.

 

[markenk]

For me, this has nothing to do with "respect". The best scoring offense that they have faced is Louisville, and they are 61st in the country (down year) - and no one else is even in the top 100. By contrast, Bama's scoring offense is ranked 19th in the country. It has been a long time since we had an offense that was every bit as good as our defense (if not better).

It is more a confidence in our team than any disrespect for theirs. Losing to Bama this year is not something to get down about. A whole lot of teams are going to lose to Bama this year...

Not so fast, my friend.

If we learned anything this past week, it's that anyone in SEC can be beaten on any given week. It's good to hear that team's performance has given the fans a new found confidence, but it's still too early in the season and we have a lot of football left to play for. I'm enjoying the fact that we are 5-0 after thrashing then #9 and #3 team in the country, but I'd still rather be nervous and humble about our next opponent than be overconfident. This thread here reminds me of looking at USC (west coast) board.

We have issues with our special team. There are still room for improvements. Our team is still one of the youngest in the entire nation. We still need to learn to play with more consistency. After a big win, we came out flat against Tulane. I know many of us have faith in CNS, but like he said during the press conference, "if you want to drink a kool aid...".

 

[NYBamaFan]

Not so fast, my friend.

If we learned anything this past week, it's that anyone in SEC can be beaten on any given week. It's good to hear that team's performance has given the fans a new found confidence, but it's still too early in the season and we have a lot of football left to play for. I'm enjoying the fact that we are 5-0 after thrashing then #9 and #3 team in the country, but I'd still rather be nervous and humble about our next opponent than be overconfident. This thread here reminds me of looking at USC (west coast) board.

We have issues with our special team. There are still room for improvements. Our team is still one of the youngest in the entire nation. We still need to learn to play with more consistency. After a big win, we came out flat against Tulane. I know many of us have faith in CNS, but like he said during the press conference, "if you want to drink a kool aid...".

I say all of these things when talking to fans of other teams, but when talking to Bama fans, I feel like I can relax and HOPE...

 

[BEATtutorsee]

Looks eerily similar to the way Georgia had built their stats coming into the game, huh.

One things for certain, as Verne would say, this ain't Norfolk State.

Well not quite but then again it's not too far off either. We heard all last week leading up to the Georgia game how good their defense (run defense in particular) was but what people weren't talking about was the style of play their opponents brought to the table. Simply put, Georgia hadn't faced a team with a good ground game and I think it showed in our game. I see a lot of similarities this week. Plenty of people are talking up Kentucky's defense but I'm just not a believer. They've yet to play anyone that I would consider to be a "good" team let alone SEC caliber. I believe Georgia's defense is better, and as long as we play our game I believe we should handle their defense relatively well.