Is Devin Booker now a Kentucky Wildcats Basketball lean?

Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

For Kentucky football, the bye week is happening at the perfect time, so Kentucky can deal with some injuries to Maxwell Smithh and Donte Rumph. Smith has not practiced this week, so Patrick Towles is getting more reps in practice. Smith, however insists that he will be ready to play versus Florida on the 28th. Here is a bit more information on UK’s quarterback situation headed into the bye weekend.

"“I’m just not throwing the ball this week. I’m doing everything else, though. Every drill we do, I’m doing it. Run game, everything,” said Smith, who is going “full speed” on drills with teammates. Even though he gets “some pain” in his shoulder and had a shoulder injury last season, Smith said this injury is in a “different spot” and he’s sure he will be fine. With Smith limited in practice, it has given sophomore Patrick Towels to get more practice reps. He was in a three-way battle with Smith and Jalen Whitlow during preseason practice for the starting job, but finished third and has been slated to be redshirted. “He’s getting the backup reps right now. He had a good day in our team period today, did a good job. A little rusty yesterday, did better today,” offensive coordinator Neal Brown said Wednesday. Brown said the quarterbacks have been “up and down” much like the overall offense the first three games. Brown said most of Smith’s bad passes are because of “fundamentals” and believes he has played “better than his statistics looked” against Louisville. Brown said when Whitlow relaxes in the pocket, he’s been fine. “When he’s in a rhythm, he’s a good passer. He got out of the pocket and made some big plays (against Louisville in the second half),” Brown said. “He converted a 4th-and-14, converted on another long-distance situation with his legs. That’s what we need.” “Didn’t start very well against Western. Started great against Miami, he came in and had a completion first pass then second play got a touchdown.” Against Louisville, Whitlow fumbled on the first play to set up a Louisville field goal. “Fumbling should never happen but we had a total, total missed assignment up front on that one,” Brown said. Whitlow said the coaches have talked to him about not being afraid to run more."

Sep 14, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops gives instructions to his team during the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Commonwealth Stadium. Louisville defeated Kentucky 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

If there is one thing that is evident, it is that Mark Stoops has no problem keeping the Commonwealths best players in Kentucky Blue and White. With that said, it remains to be seen if one of the states top linemen, Cody McPeek, will get an offer for the 2015 class.

"There’s no doubt that Cody McPeek is one of the top offensive linemen in the Commonwealth. The big question that remains is whether the Class of 2015 standout will pick up an offer from Kentucky. McPeek performed exceptionally well on the camp and combine circuit earlier this spring and into the summer, and he will probably need to continue to do that next year if he is to impress UK. The Wildcats run an Air Raid offense and McPeek’s high school experience has come in the Wing-T. Cody McPeek took an unofficial visit to Kentucky for the Louisville game. “We mostly just run the ball so I’m more (advanced as) a run blocker,” he said. “I’ll just have to do Rivals stuff, go to camps and all that. I’ve done pretty well so far.” McPeek told Cats Illustrated UK coaches have told him they are impressed with his ability as a run blocker. But whether the 6-foot-3, 317-pound lineman receives an offer will largely hinge on whether they are convinced he can block in their pass-happy system. Even though the offer isn’t there McPeek was happy to travel to Lexington as an unofficial visitor for UK’s game against Louisville over the weekend. “I thought the fans were awesome,” he said. “When they were down seven at the half the defense was looking really good. They were right there. It was a great environment and the fans were crazy the whole game.”"