The stage is set for a massive showdown at Kroger Field. A ranked Ole Miss team is coming to town, and their head coach, Lane Kiffin, is looking for revenge after last year’s stunning upset. You can bet the Rebels will be aggressive, looking to put up points early and often to make a statement.
This raises the most important question for the Wildcats: can they keep pace? While there are many keys to victory, one glaring weakness threatens to derail the entire game before it even gets going: Kentucky’s passing attack.
The elephant in the room: A grounded air attack
To say the passing game struggled in week one is a massive understatement. The Wildcats produced a historically low 85 passing yards against Toledo. Quarterback Zach Calzada looked hesitant, and the new wide receiver room was a non-factor, hauling in just four catches for a measly 12 yards.
This wasn't just an off day; it was an alarm bell. Against a MAC opponent, the offense was unable to generate any threat through the air, a terrifying prospect as they head into the meat of their SEC schedule.
A deceptively dangerous matchup
On paper, Ole Miss's defense might seem like a welcome sight after they gave up 5.5 yards per rush to Georgia State. However, a closer look reveals a major problem. The Rebels completely suffocated the Panthers' passing game, allowing a paltry 2.8 yards per pass attempt.
Yes, it was Georgia State. But that number shows a defense that can and will dominate an opponent it doesn't respect through the air. Right now, there is absolutely no reason for them to respect Kentucky's aerial attack. Zach Calzada must step up and give them a reason to or they will load the box.
The strategic nightmare
If Kentucky cannot throw the ball effectively, the entire offensive game plan unravels. It allows the Ole Miss defense to become single-minded. They can load the box with extra defenders to stop the run, daring Zach Calzada and his receivers to beat them. Against Toledo they could not do that, and the run game hit a big 79-yard run, but struggled otherwise with 3.43 yards per carry on 41 attempts.
This creates a strategic nightmare. It makes the offense predictable. Worse, if Ole Miss gets an early lead, Kentucky will be stuck with a one-dimensional, clock-chewing offense that is incapable of mounting a quick comeback. The game plan plays directly into Lane Kiffin's hands.
The outcome of Saturday's contest rests squarely on the shoulders of the passing game. If Calzada and company can't prove that week one was a fluke, a motivated Ole Miss team could make this a very long and painful afternoon.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time, he spends time with his family, and watching Premier League soccer. Ephesians 3:20. #UpTheAlbion