Kentucky Wildcats Football: Focus Is Key

Despite the suspensions following the gun situation Sunday night, every coach and player I have spoke with this week has insisted that while they were disappointed in the situation, the team is 100% focused on the South Carolina game this weekend.

Sep 27, 2014; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Stanley Williams (18) runs the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the first half at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Boom Williams and Dorian Baker are two pretty big losses for the game this weekend. Their suspensions leave the opportunity for two players in my opinion to step up and have huge games: Blake Bone and Jojo Kemp. Boom has been getting a pretty decent amount of clock this season and Jojo kind of had to step back until the end at the Vanderbilt game. Dorian tends to play over Blake, but both have length that could be potent against the South Carolina DB’s (which are subpar if you ask me). In addition to Bone’s length, he’s a South Carolina native who was committed to USC at one point in his high school career. I’m sure Javess Blue- who is healthy again- will get more touches too, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Bone had a breakout game. They can definitely afford to air it out more this game, but this is going to require less mistakes on Towles’ part. The defense, however, needs to keep doing what they’re doing. Bud Dupree leads the SEC in sacks right now.

Aug 30, 2014; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Blake Bone (6) dives for a touchdown against UT Martin Skyhawks safety Kahlid Hagens (18) in the first half at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky is currently the 5-point underdog, dropping down from 10 earlier this week. With a blackout game in Commonwealth this weekend and (probably) the debut of some new helmets, could the Cats get a huge home crowd to help them get some momentum in this game? It’s definitely possible.

Never count a Spurrier team out, though. Defensive coordinator DJ Eliot said today, “Coach Spurrier has had a lot of success and a lot of experience. He’s an excellent coach and he will get ya. You’ve got to be on your P’s and Q’s and you have to know how to play because he will get you. He’s an excellent football coach and we’re going to have our hands full.”

Sep 20, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Gamecocks, like a lot of the SEC, have been quite inconsistent this season. I had them picked to beat A&M- the Aggies turned out to be a much better team than a lot of us, myself included, had anticipated. They struggled against East Carolina, beat a solid Georgia Bulldogs team by 3, and struggled with Vanderbilt who Kentucky had no problems with. Last weekend they lost at home by one to Mizzou.

They could be on a mission to redeem themselves at Kentucky. But Kentucky almost had them down in Columbia last year- this is a much better Kentucky and a less-talented South Carolina. The downfall to that is last year of the 301 offensive yards all but 54 were courtesy of Jalen Whitlow.

It seems like I’m saying this nearly every week, but this is a huge test for the Wildcats. At 3-1 they are half way to bowl eligibility and the SEC East is wide open- this is a pretty big chance for them to make moves.

And remember to #PackCommonwealth and #BlackoutOrBackout because it’s time to make some Kentucky Fried Chicken.