The Pinkie Previews: Louisiana-Monroe (4-2, 3-0) at Kentucky (3-3, 1-3)

Coming off of a tremendous win at Auburn, the Wildcats now must bear down and take care of business against a Louisiana-Monroe team that cannot be overlooked. Rich Brooks and his staff are far too familiar with the talents of this Warhawk squad as Kentucky squeaked by them 42-40 at Commonwealth Stadium just three years ago.

Following a brutal four-game stretch, the ‘Cats now enter a stretch of four games where they should be favored in each. Still, a setback on Saturday against UL-Monroe and that big win in Auburn, AL loses a little bit of it’s luster.

The Warhawks enter the game on Saturday with a 4-2 record, which is their best start since they made the move to Division I-A. Their two losses are to Texas (59-20) and to Arizona State (38-14).

They return 19 starters from a year ago, including 11 who either started or played in the 2006 game that Kentucky nearly lost. The coaching staff has high expectations for their team this year and because of that they removed the players’ last names from their jerseys. The last names will return when they are invited to a Bowl Game.

A very balanced team offensively, Monroe is averaging 200 yards through the air and 194 on the ground. However, their air attack took a hit when junior quarterback Trey Revell broke his thumb, late in the second quarter, in their last contest, a 16-10 versus Arkansas State.

Redshirt freshman Cody Wells, who took over in the Arkansas State game, will make his first career start on Saturday. Wells, who threw for over 2,000 yards in both his junior and senior year of high school, was held back a bit when he took over the reins last week.

After nine days of practice and preparing to start, look for head coach Charlie Weatherbie to open up the playbook for Wells.

This season, he has appeared in five games, completing 7-of-13 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. In his limited playing time, he hasn’t been much of a threat to run.

Their ground attack is led by junior Frank Goodlin. Goodlin is a two-year starter for the Warhawks and has rushed for 589 yards and nine touchdowns. His nine rushing touchdowns ranks eighth in the country.

He suffered through hamstring injuries in August but appears to be healthy. He is a downhill runner.

Also look for junior Rodney Lovett to get carries. Although Lovett is about the same size as Goodlin, he is more of a bruising back and is effective at busting through the line.

Their crop of receivers is pretty deep as they have four guys who have caught more than 13 balls this season. They are led by a pair of seniors in 6-0, 220-pound Darrell McNeal, who has caught 24 balls for 360 yards and four touchdowns, and LaGregory Sapp (6-3, 209), who has 18 receptions for 336 yards and a touchdown.

Sapp is their deep threat and a couple times this season has got their offense going with a big play early. His 75-yard touchdown reception at Texas, in their season opener, was their longest offensive play since 2004.

The strength of this Louisiana-Monroe team is their defense. They are allowing just over 93 rushing yards a game, which is good for 12th best in the country. They are also second best in the Sun Belt conference in total defense.

Senior DE Aaron Morgan (6-4, 235) will lead a very talented front line into Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday. In his press conference, Rich Brooks said that this Monroe front will be the O-line’s biggest challenge of the year.

Morgan leads the Sun Belt in sacks with seven and has already surpassed his sack total from a year ago. Last season he finished with 45 tackles, which led their linemen.

As a team, the Warhawks have already recorded 16 sacks, which also surpasses their total of 13 last season.

Their linebacking core is led by senior Cardia Jackson, who is perceived as the best tackler in the Sun Belt Conference. The 2008 First Team All-Sun Belt selection, ranked eighth in the NCAA with 10.6 tackles per game last season.

This year he already has recorded 52 tackles, but has yet to record a sack. He has also forced and recorded a fumble.

Speaking of fumbles, the Warhawk defense has eight fumble recoveries on the season, which ranks 15th in the NCAA.

They don’t just force fumbles, they have a propensity to record interceptions as well. In that department they turn to senior safety Greg James, who has 13 career interceptions. His 13 career picks ranks second in the NCAA.

He has yet to record a pick this season, but entered his senior year as the active leader in interceptions in all of college football. James is two interceptions away from tying the school record in picks and has returned two of his interceptions for touchdowns. He is fourth on the team in tackles with 35.

This Louisiana-Monroe squad is for real. If Kentucky doesn’t take them serious, it could get scary, just like it did in 2006. But, most of them either remember that game or have been reminded of it, so hopefully that won’t be a problem.

Kentucky has shown the ability to run the football against anyone and I expect them to continue to do so against a talented Monroe defense. Derrick Locke and Randall Cobb are just too talented and the offensive line will continue to create holes.

Morgan Newton will get the start and hopefully will look more comfortable in the pocket. Last week it was almost as if he went backwards. He looked okay in the first half but in the second half was way to too quick to tuck and run.

If he struggles, look for Will Fidler to see time under center again. Even if he doesn’t struggle, we will probably still see Fidler get some snaps.

You don’t want to let Monroe hang around and have a chance to win late, much like Auburn did last week against the ‘Cats. Continue the momentum of last week by putting some points on the board early and put the Warhawks away.

I think Kentucky is able to do so and this one isn’t near as scary as it was in 2006.