For a major SEC program, games like the upcoming matchup with Eastern Michigan present a unique challenge. In truth, you can learn very little about your team from a dominant win. It's only when the game is unexpectedly close, or you suffer a catastrophic loss, that you learn anything at all.
So as Kentucky prepares to host a struggling EMU team, what can fans realistically expect to take away from the game?
A necessary evil
Eastern Michigan is not a good football team. That isn't a knock on their coaching or their effort, but a reflection of the talent gap. They have lost their first two games to Texas State and LIU, giving up over 65 points in the process. Their defense will struggle to slow down Kentucky's offense, whether on the ground or through the air.
These games exist for one primary reason: to help Mark Stoops and company get closer to the six wins required for bowl eligibility. It's a business decision.
A test drive for Cutter Boley
With Zach Calzada officially ruled out, this game will serve as the first career start for sophomore quarterback Cutter Boley. However, it's a start that will come with an asterisk. He should have all day to throw, with clean pockets and open receivers. It will be a perfect opportunity to build his confidence, but it won't be a true test of his ability to handle an SEC-level pass rush or decipher complex defensive schemes.
So, what can we really learn on Saturday? We can learn if the team is focused enough to avoid embarrassing mistakes. We can learn if the offensive game plan still includes head-scratchers like a 3rd-and-9 QB draw, or zone reads from your own end zone. But in terms of the season's true outlook, we will learn very little.
The best-case scenario is to celebrate a win at Kroger Field—something that has become rarer, with the team winning just five of its last 14 games—and head into the bye week healthy.
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. Micah 7:7. #UpTheAlbion