Kentucky lays egg against Florida, falls to 2-1

OK, UK got smoked by Florida. 31-0 through a single quarter is about all you need to know. Losing like that never feels good, especially when it happens like that against the same team 2 seasons in a row. However, let’s look at the record and the record alone.

We all expected, at least the rational among us, to be 2-1 at this point. UK looked good against Miami, bad against Louisville, and worse against Florida.

Even so, a loss is not just a loss in this case. Not when UK is heading into 3 consecutive very tough games that could easily put the ‘Cats in a 2-4 hole. Let’s be honest, if UK plays the way they have the past 2 weeks, they will be 2-4, and none of the 3 upcoming games will be competitive.

It’s not troubling to lose to the number 1 team in the nation. That’s perfectly understandable and expected. It is, however, troubling that UK failed to match the intensity of their opponents from the opening snap in 2 consecutive games, particularly when you consider that it happened first against UK’s biggest rival and second against the number 1 team in the nation. If you can’t get up for those 2 games, how can you expect to get up for any game?

There is no way UK was going to match the phenomenal speed of the Gators, but when the loudest your home crowd ever gets in the game is on the first 3 plays of the game, then when UK notched their first first down halfway through the second quarter, there’s trouble.

The last 2 performances make you wonder what’s missing on this team. In terms of talent, UK has improved every year since 2005, but there is a certain grit missing on this team, at least this season. Is it coaching? Is it leadership? Is it poor Commonwealth crowds?

On the offensive side of the ball, I think the fundamental problem is that Randall Cobb is the leader and best player. Cobb truly is a phenomenal player, and I have seen it work when a wide receiver like Cobb is the center and leader of the offense. However, UK and Mike Hartline have just not figured out how to get the ball in his hands consistently enough for him to be the factor he needs to be for UK to live up to expectations.

The one drive UK did have on Saturday happened because they were able to get the ball to Cobb and because they were able to run the ball. UK clearly came in with a plan to run the Wildcat formation with Cobb more this week, but by the point UK broke it out, the conclusion was already foregone.

Defensively, UK has some playmakers at linebacker and in the secondary. A core group of Micah Johnson, Danny Trevathan, Sam Maxwell, Trevard Lindley, and Winston Guy is as talented a group as UK has had at those two positions in recent memory. However, they are simply not free to make plays because of UK’s holes in the defensive line. In terms of pass rush and penetration in the running game, UK is not what it was last season with Myron Pryor and Jeremy Jarmon leading the way.

Jarmon’s loss was as demoralizing as his initial decision to return to UK was exciting, but I think we all maintained a sense of optimism that the hole could be filled. After 3 games, I don’t think that hole is going to be filled. In spite of Taylor Wyndham’s big hit on Tim Tebow, UK has 2 legitimate SEC level performers on the defensive line in Corey Peters and DeQuin Evans, and that’s it. That’s not enough.

I expect UK to be much, much better against Alabama next week. I think the troops will be motivated and the defense will be much better suited to deal with a more traditional offense, but Alabama is a heck of a team, and I don’t know how the offense will consistently do anything against them.

The trend downward in UK’s first 3 games has been very troubling, so Rich Brooks will be demanding a step forward in his team’s third game, and hopefully they will position themselves for strong performances at South Carolina and at Auburn.