Five story lines for Kentucky Wildcats Football

Oct 22, 2011; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats defensive tackle Donte Rumph (99) celebrates after a play during the game against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Jacksonville State 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

DONTE RUMPH’S HEALTH

If any player besides Max Smith needs to stay healthy, it is Donte Rumph and Za’Darius Smith. Kentucky’s defensive effort was never the same once Rumph went out and UK needs the big cat healthy and playing. On one possession, Za’Darius Smith and Rumph were both out. Keeping the defensive line healthy is a key and the continued progression of Jason Hatcher will be a related storyline. I could not find anything on Rumph’s injury mid evening Sunday, but I assume we will know the extent of it after Stoops’s press conference today. That bye week is coming at a good time.

Aug 31, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Demarco Robinson (9) catches a pass for a touchdown against Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defensive back Tyree Robinson (22) during the second half at LP Field. Western Kentucky won 35-26. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

DEMARCO ROBINSON’S HEALTH AND WR DROPSIES

If not for all the dropped passes against Louisville, UK could have had a good shot at an upset. But you can not drop seven – eight passes and expect to pull off an upset. Getting DeMarco Robinson back will help out tremendously. Robinson had a nice game versus WKU and as a junior, he is going to be counted on to be a leader in this offense and a mentor for the younger WR’s. This year was pegged as a breakout year for Robinson and he has plenty of time to do so. I was a bit surprised to see him out against UL but with two weeks between games, he should be fully recovered for Florida. Look for the drops to improve as well. These things happen with a your corps and UK has the talent to have a pretty good WR corps.

On a side not, getting Robinson back means they get their best returner back as well. Blue was scary versus WKU, but had a couple of nice runs versus Louisville. I’d feel a lot better with Robinson returning kicks the rest of the year.

Sep 14, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Javess Blue (8) runs a kick off return against the Louisville Cardinals at Commonwealth Stadium. Louisville defeated Kentucky 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

CAN THE “FLORIDA BOYS” END THE STREAK?

Coming from Florida State, Mark Stoops knew how to recruit Florida. And he brought a lot of Florida talent with him to UK. And a lot of that talent is among the best on Kentucky’s roster. JoJo Kemp leads the team in rushing. Javess Blue leads the team in receiving. Jeff Badet is third on the team in receiving and Alex Montgomery has a touchdown and is tied for the third in number of receptions.

On the other side of the ball, Nate Willis and Blake McClain are having solid seasons. Reggie Meant is another player that could step up on the offensive line. There is a ton of talent on this roster from the Sunshine State. All in all, 15 players have that FL by their name on the roster.   With Florida looking vulnerable versus Miami, is this finally the year that Kentucky can end the streak at Commonwealth?