First, the good news. Kentucky's offense looked pretty awesome. Kenny Minchey threw for four touchdowns and over 300 yards. The running backs finished with over 200 yards, and Kentucky averaged over eight yards a play, while putting 45 points on the board. But it wasn't all good.
Beau Brungard came in expected to be good, but he was far better than just good. He was 23 of 25 for 243 yards and he found a lot of wide open receivers running free down the field. That is a concern with Alabama coming to town.
Keelon Russell was 18 of 30 for 256 yards. Not Heisman numbers through the air, but his legs generated 86 more yards and a touchdown in Alabama's 48-10 win over Eastern Carolina. If Jay Bateman and company want to shut down the Tide, some things have to be changed, starting with the secondary.
Kentucky's injury report paved the way for some mistakes
Kentucky held Youngstown State scoreless for the opening frame, but right before halftime the Penguins found some momentum. Freshman Isaiah McMillian was targeted on the drive, and he was exposed. Lynn Wyche-El caught seven passes for 111 yards and a TD. Alabama's Ryan Coleman-Williams, who finished with over 100 yards himself this week, will be licking his lips watching the game tape back.
The good news for Kentucky fans is that Teryhon Nichols and Hasaan Sykes should be back next week. Both dressed this week, but remained on the sideline as the Cats dispatched the Penguins 45-13. Both are projected to be starters next week.
However, an even more pressing concern is the lack of pressure. Kentucky's defense was responsible for only two sacks against an FCS opponent. That just isn't good enough, and the entire unit will have to play better starting next week.
If Russell finds the kind of time that Brungard did, Alabama will put up 48 again. Some of you will argue that they played vanilla coverage and just did enough to get the win. But if you watched the game, guys were getting beat, and players were getting open. That is a concerning sign for Jay Bateman, who is staring down the Crimson Tide's Blue-Chip-laden offensive unit.
Yes, it will be Russell's first college road start, and Kroger Field will be rocking. But if the same defensive effort shows up, everyone will be leaving early again. It will just be for a very different reason.
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