The Kentucky Wildcats have been through some battles in the first four games of the season. There have been ups and there have been downs, however, through it all, the Wildcats have found a way to get the job done. Whether it be battling it out with a scrappy MAC conference team, shutting out Mark Stoop’s hometown team, or beating an old division rival, Kentucky has fought and scratched like wildcats to start the season 4-0.
The defense has shown itself to be more than formidable so far this season. Brad White’s crew has stuffed the run all season and was able to contain one of the most dynamic running quarterbacks in the conference in Florida’s Anthony Richardson. The Wildcats have found a knack for creating turnovers as well. The pass rush hasn’t been the consistent threat many hoped for, however, has been disruptive in game-time situations.
The offense has been more sporadic thus far this season. Rich Scangarellos unit has had a tendency to start slow and pick up as the game goes on. Part of this can be chalked up to the youth of the offensive line. The big blue wall underwent an almost complete overhaul this season and always seems to need a couple of drives each game to get their feet underneath them. That being said, they always seem to gain strength as each game progresses. This has been apparent in pass protection and the run game as well.
One thing that hasn’t been slow to start is the wide receivers. Kentucky has been electric in this area. Between Tayvion Robinson, Barion Brown, and Dane Key the Wildcats have been a touchdown waiting to happen. With running back Chris Rodriguez set to return this upcoming week, this offense could be poised to take the next step, and they are going to need to.
Kentucky’s schedule is about to get real, beginning this week. The next big test is Ole Miss which is coached by an old rival in Lane Kiffin. The big blue nation is all too familiar with Kiffin thanks to his days in Tennessee. The Rebels head coach has been a thorn in the Wildcat’s side for many years and now he is Kentucky’s next block in the road in their quest for an SEC East crown.
There road, however, will not get any easier from here as Kentucky faces South Carolina, Mississippi State, and Volunteers of Tennessee. The Gamecocks won’t blow you away when you look at their record, however, they are a team with talent and are well coached. South Carolina is also a program that always seem to give Kentucky a fight, regardless of record. Then there is the Bulldogs, who came out of nowhere last season to stun the Wildcats. Can Mike Leach break the hearts of his former team once again? This one is sure to be one not to miss in Lexington.
If Kentucky can find themselves undefeated throughout this stretch, they will go to Knoxville ready to face the one team who stands between them and Georgia for east supremacy, Tennessee. There is not a lot that needs to be said about this rivalry and just how important this game could be for Mark Stoops and his team. The Volunteers have long been a hurdle for the Wildcats, even throughout the back and forths these programs have experienced over the last few seasons. This just has the feel of a must win for Kentucky, regardless of division implications.
That being said, If Kentucky can survive this stretch, and take care of business against Missouri and Vanderbilt as they will be expected, then things could get very interesting. These are big ifs, but doable ifs and this could lead Kentucky into what very well could be the biggest matchup not only in Kentucky’s season but the biggest game in the entire conference, this season against Georgia.
Kentucky has a realistic road to Atlanta in 2022. That road will go through the team down in Athens, but that road truly does exist for the Wildcats this season. However, there will be many tough roadblocks along the way, this team will have to break through in order to get to their destination. The Wildcats have fought hard to get where they are now, but the journey is far from over. In fact for Kentucky, the road to all their hopes and dreams begins now.
Larry Spicer will produce a weekly column covering both the University of Kentucky Basketball and Football programs for the L4 Security 13th Region Media Network. He is a resident of Corbin, and is married with two daughters. He is a communications major at Eastern Kentucky University and has covered football from the NFL to College since 2017.
