Time for the Offensive Line to Step Up

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky’s offensive line has, in its 4 defeats this season, has not played well. From allowing too many sacks to failing to open up holes for Wildcat running backs to exploit, the line has looked mediocre against Florida, LSU, Mississippi St, and Missouri. If Kentucky is going to beat Georgia, this has to change. Kyle Tucker writes:

"“As Stoops said, though, that time is now. The Wildcats as a whole and their offensive line specifically, must grow up if they’re going to get a sixth win in these final three games. The quest begins Saturday against Georgia, which isn’t statistically as formidable as the last three teams UK faced.The Bulldogs rank 64th in sacks and 68th in tackles for loss but they are 21st in total defense. Their run defense took a hit last week when Florida, out of nowhere, exploded for 418 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Georgia allowed an average of just 105 rushing yards in its previous seven games.”"

Before the season, it’s likely many Kentucky football fans would consider a 5-win season to be quite a success. But just a few weeks ago, the Wildcats were 5-1 overall, 2-1 in the SEC, and seemingly in the driver’s seat for an SEC East title. So it’s understandable that the fanbase wants (expects?) a 6th win and with it, bowl eligibility. Getting that 6th win, however, won’t be easy. John Clay writes:

"“Kentucky’s football season now boils down to one and three. Stuck on five victories, Mark Stoops’ Wildcats need one more win to be bowl eligible. Three chances remain to accomplish that. And it’s not going to be easy.”"

Keeping the platoons happy. That’s John Calipari’s mission as he tries to do something that’s never been done before at the college level (or any level, for that matter). Can he do it? Kyle Tucker writes:

"“John Calipari is fond of saying that what he’s trying to do, keep 10 future pros happy by dividing and deploying them as a pair of platoons, has “never been done.” Accordingly, the University of Kentucky coach will find himself trying to answer questions this season that most coaches have never even considered.For instance: How will players react when they are abruptly removed in the middle of hot streak, simply because it’s their platoon’s turn to sit? Ask Karl-Anthony Towns. In the Wildcats’ exhibition opener Sunday, the 6-foot-11 freshman scored eight of UK’s first 15 points — but sat down less than a minute after his fourth dunk in the first 4:11.”"

Antonio Blakeney just finished up his official visit to Kentucky. He is a highly touted guard who many would love to see wearing Blue & White next season. It’s important he leaves Lexington with a good impression about the program, right? So what was stood out? Adam Zagoria writes:

"“Antonio Blakeney’s biggest takeaway from his visit to Kentucky this past weekend?It seems to be that the Kentucky players are treated like NBA guys.‘What surprised me was just how the players are treated and how the strength coach is all on their butts and the academic are all on them,’ the 6-foot-4 Blakeney told Scout.com. ‘They are treated like they are NBA players. I like that they are treated like NBA players. Not like in a celebrity way, but more making sure they have everything they need.’”"

Anthony Davis hasn’t just had a good start to the NBA season. He’s had a “Holy crap did you see what Davis did last night I can’t believe it” start to the NBA season. And with such a start have come the accolades. Michael Lee writes:

"“Davis has been so good through his first two seasons — and is off to such a great start in his third — that few blink or provide much dissent when his name is mentioned as a top five, or better, NBA talent. In the NBA’s annual general manager’s poll, Davis finished tied for second with Kevin Durant behind LeBron James as the player they’d select if starting a franchise today.The avalanche of praise could be overwhelming and will surely shift if Davis fails to capture a championship by his seventh or eighth season, a phase James had to overcome and in which Durant currently exists. But Davis refuses to get caught up, lest it consume him to impatiently chase what might be unattainable or distract him from what he has already set out to accomplish.”"