*Yes, that is Admiral Ackbar from Star Wars and there is a growing group of Ole Miss Students and Alumni that want to ditch the Confederate Rebel for a different kind of rebel from long, long ago.*
With the lack of football news right now, I figured it would be a good time to start a new series of posts that could get football fans ready for the upcoming season. I’ll break down each game and tell you why Kentucky will win, and why they might not.
October 2 – @ Ole Miss
This year Kentucky will face Ole Miss for the first time since 2006 and will play in Oxford for the first time since the year before. Many fans might not remember, but the matchup in 2006 gave the Wildcats their first signature win in a season that would change the fortunes of the program. Well, Dicky Lyons isn’t going to rack up 83 yards and two touchdowns this season and Ole Miss is a completely different team than they were in the previous contest. This year’s team will have to find some answers early in the season while they attempt to replace their top passer, rusher and top two receivers from 2009. Ole Miss will enter this game off of a relatively unimpressive stretch of games against Jacksonville St, Tulane, Vandy, and Fresno State which could complicate things for the Wildcats playing in Oxford a week after an expectedly tough game against Florida in Gainesville. The Rebels could very well be on a four game winning streak and bring momentum and a huge crowd to the game with Kentucky.
Kentucky will lose if…..
They come into the game flat a week after Florida. The Wildcats will be a good matchup with the Rebels on paper and will have a significant advantage in playing experience along the offensive skill positions. If the Rebels get an early lead and force the Wildcats to play catch-up, this one could get away from Kentucky. Defensively, Ole Miss will return several talented players to help offset the losses of Patrick Trahan and Greg Hardy. If star Safety Johnny Brown have a big day, The game could turn in Ole Miss’ favor quickly and Kentucky may even be in for a QB change after this game. On Offense, the Rebels will return explosive junior Running back Brandon Bolden and if he can break a couple of long runs against Kentucky’s inexperienced linebacking corps, it could be a very long game for the Wildcats.
Why Kentucky will win…..
The Wildcats will have had four weeks to prepare their offense and four weeks to prepare a young defensive unit to step up and replace the stars that have moved on from last year’s squad. Kentucky’s offensive line should be able to generate enough push to help Derrick Locke establish a run game. Kentucky receivers LaRod King and Chris Matthews should have big games against a much shorter group of defensive backs. The starting QB, whoever that is, should be able to pick apart the Ole Miss defense with the short passing game, which will draw the defense up and allow for some shots down field. If the athletic UK defensive line can get pressure against the biggest, but slowest offensive line they will play against this upcoming season, they can make life miserable for the expected starter at QB, sophomore Nathan Stanley. The Kentucky defense will have a significant speed and a slight talent advantage against the Ole Miss offense. If Winston Guy, Randall Burden, and Paul Warford come to play, the potential is there for one or more of them to have a career day against a sub-par passing team. If the defense can create turnovers or the special teams unit can break a long return, Kentucky should come out of this game with a “W”.
For a breakdown of the Louisville game, go HERE
For a breakdown of the WKU game, go HERE
For a breakdown of the Akron game, go HERE
For a breakdown of the Florida game, go HERE
Keep following www.http://wildcatbluenation.com for the best in Kentucky basketball and football news, rumors, and opinions. By Kentucky fans for Kentucky fans