After two straight losses, Kentucky is going to need some players to step up if they hope to shut down the Auburn Tigers this Saturday. Who might be the next guy to step up and have a big game?
#16 – LaRod King – WR – 6’4 / 204 – SO – Radcliff, KY
The third receiver on the team has some big time players in front of him in Randall Cobb and Chris Matthews on the depth chart, but sophomore LaRod King has plenty of ability himself. After taking over for Andre Woodson at North Hardin high school in Radcliff, KY he came to UK and was quickly switched from quarterback to receiver. His 6’4 frame has surely helped King in his transition, but his speed and athleticism has been what’s made him a factor since his freshman season last year. He’s made the names to know list this week because of the attention that Cobb and Matthews will get this week. With the Auburn defense focusing on the better-known guys, look for King to have a big game across the middle of the field.
#69 – Matt Smith – OC – 6’4/ 288 – SO – Louisville, KY
No one thought Jorge Gonzalez would have the type of impact he did as a senior last year and He’s left Matt Smith some big shoes to fill. Smith came to Kentucky as a member of the 2008 class that has given the Cats a couple of stars, and he’s quietly taken over the center job this year and started every game this season. He’ll have his hands full this week with Auburn defensive tackles Nick Fairley and Zach Clayton coming to town. Fairley in particular has been a real stat-sheet stuffer this season. Listen to these numbers: 22 total tackles on the season with 11.5 of those being tackles-for-loss, racking up a whopping -46 yards for the opposing offenses. He’s brought down the QB 5 times, picked off a pass, recovered a fumble, and hurried the QB 12 times. So…Matt Smith needs to have a good game if UK is to have a good game.
#66 – Chandler Burden – LT – 6’4 / 291 – JR – Blue Ash, OH
How many times can you remember a defensive end switching over to the offensive line and manning the toughest job on the team in his first year at the position? Well that would be a good way to describe Chandler Burden. The junior was falling behind on the depth chart on the defensive line and the staff obviously thought a move over to his more natural position on the offensive line was in order. Obviously it worked out alright as Burden beat out several guys who’d spent more time on offense to lock down the left tackle job. This week he’ll be charged with protecting Mike Hartline’s blind-side from Antoine Carter and as difficult of a task that Smith has ahead of him, junior tackle Chandler Burden might be in for just as tough of a night. Carter has hurried opposing QBs 12 times this year and has tallied 3 sacks, 5 TFL, and 14 total tackles. Keeping Hartline upright will be paramount if the Cats hope to upset the Tigers and this weekend’s outcome will likely be decided in the trenches.
#98 – Mark Crawford – DT – 6’1 / 293 – JR – Indianapolis, IN
There has been a need for an upgrade at the play of Kentucky’s defensive tackles since it was announced that Mister Cobble did not academically qualify to play this year. Starters Ricky Lumpkin and Luke McDermott have had their ups-and-downs, but Crawford had been quiet before bursting out onto the scene against Ole Miss. Auburn’s heavy emphasis on the rushing game added to the athletic ability of Cam Newton makes it important for Kentucky’s defensive linemen to stay fresh and Crawford will undoubtedly get his chance to play. If he can collapse the pocket from the interior of the line, he’ll force Newton into mistakes and help his defense capitalize on the chances they get to create turnovers.
#21 – Winston Guy – SS – 6’1 / 215 – JR – Lexington, KY
It may seem a little odd to have a two-year starter on a list of new names, but Winston is on here for a specific reason. He has largely been the face of Kentucky’s inability to play effective defense because of arm tackling and Guy is as guilty as any player on the team of relying more on his natural abilities and less on coaching and fundamental football techniques. This week Guy will have to step up and play both the run and the pass equally as well against the Tigers. Against the run, he’ll need to be able to wrap up and take down the running backs and Newton. Arm tackling a 6’6 250 pound quarterback that runs like Newton does is not an option. He’ll also have to give the defensive backs some support against an air attack that showed what it could do last week. Laying some big hits on the Auburn wide receivers early in the game should make them less eager to go over the middle later in the contest.
Keep following www.http://wildcatbluenation.com for the best in Kentucky basketball and football news, rumors, and opinions. By Kentucky fans for Kentucky fans