Kentucky WIldcats Football: Keys to Success

Tomorrow night Kentucky takes on South Carolina in perhaps the biggest game of the Mark Stoops era.

After giving Florida a run for their money in Gainesville and taking care of business against Vanderbilt at home, it’s time to see how the Wildcats fare against a reeling Gamecock team coming into their house. The matchup sets up well for Kentucky. The UK defense has been stingy so far this season, not allowing a touchdown in the first half of any game thus far. On the flip side, South Carolina has struggled on defense, giving up more plays of ten yards or more than anyone else in the country. If the Cats can get a lead early, it could be tough for South Carolina to come back. Here are this week’s keys to the game:

• Stopping the Run– Mike Davis is a good player, like future NFL draft pick good. He is what makes SC’s offense go and could spell danger for the Cats. If Davis has a big game it likely means a lot of points for Steve Spurrier’s squad. On the flip side, if Kentucky can stifle the running game and force Dylan Thompson to beat them through the air, the arrow will be pointing up in Kentucky’s favor. A gameplan similar to the Florida game would be good.
• Pressure the Quarterback– This one would seem like a good choice every week. Kentucky has two future NFL draft picks at defensive end, maybe three if Jason Hatcher keeps improving, and South Carolina’s line has shown a tendency to let Thompson take some big hits. Pressure helped Missouri contain the SC offense last week. Thompson isn’t a bad passer but looked awful with a guy in his face every play. He can be rattled and it would be in the Cats best interest to get to him a few times.
• Avoid Mistakes– Kentucky made some negative plays last week against Vanderbilt that need to be cleaned up before playing better competition. This isn’t about Towles’ pick-six, although that was a negative. I am referring to the silly penalties and the muffed punt more than anything. The kind of plays that you can forget about because the team won. Patrick Towles will not forget that interception anytime soon.
• Chunk Plays– As mentioned before, South Carolina’s defense has been rather porous this season, allowing big plays at a higher rate than anyone. Kentucky will need to stretch the field in the passing game and break some big plays in order to score enough points to win. If UK can make a splash in the passing game, expect the run to start breaking some good gains as well. Braylon Heard just missed several long ones against Vanderbilt.
• Special Teams– Kentucky needs to play well in the kicking game to help pull this one out. Losing your best kick returner is tough, especially against a Gamecock unit that has been vulnerable this season. But the Cats also need to execute when they are kicking the ball. There can’t be any blocked punts or missed field goals this week. This team is too good to give them some freebie points. It would also be very beneficial for UK to break a nice return or two. Perhaps this is the week we see Ryan Timmons bring a few back.