The UK football team was scheduled to head down to South Carolina this past weekend to play a South Carolina team ready for revenge against UK for beating them in a huge upset game last season. Whatever went down to South Carolina though was not a football team. I am not sure what it was. It looked like our players bodies were there but that was about it. We all knew going into this game that we were going to be in over our heads with our team this year and that Spurrier was going to be ready to make us pay for last year but I do not think anyone truly believed UK would play (if you can even call what they did play) in that absolutely horrible manner that they did.
Even though our defense gave up a LOT of points, losing 54-3, I really do not think they are that bad. It has been clear all season that our defense is at least trying. They have some form of passion and emotion but they can only do so much. When the offense has 3 and out stretches in these games and throws the defense out there with little break it's going to physically start wearing on our players. Worse than that though is when they have to come out there time and time again knowing that the offense is not doing anything. That has to mentally take a toll on our defense. It has got to be difficult to stay motivated as a UK defensive player when you see the pitiful performances the offense is giving. Eventually that attitude is going to carry over and I think our offense is no doubt bringing our defense down with them over time. Want some proof the defense actually may not be that bad? Compare UK vs LSU and Florida vs LSU. This past weekend allows us to make this comparison.
Both games were at LSU. Final scores: UK 7, LSU 35. Florida 11, LSU 41. What is the most glaring thing right there? We held LSU to less points than Florida. Granted Florida scored more points than we did against LSU but again we all know our offense is bad. More stat breakdowns for the two teams (examining LSU's offense against each team):
Against UK:
Total Yards: 348
Passing: 169
Completions: 8-21
Yards per Pass: 8
Rushing: 179
Yards per Rush: 3.9
Possession: 31:13
Against Florida:
Total Yards: 453
Passing: 215
Completions: 10-14
Yards per Pass: 15.4
Rushing: 238
Yards per Rush: 4.9
Possession: 35:40
What do these stats show? UK's defense did a better job containing LSU in every aspect than Florida did in their game against them. Does this mean UK's defense is better than Florida? Clearly not, otherwise our game against Florida would have gone somewhat better, at least with a smaller score difference. It does show though that UK's defense isn't completely horrible. I think, as I wrote earlier, that the offense's horrible play throughout the course of a game and over time is holding our defense back some and at times causing them to seem worse than they actually are. Moral of the story - No UK is not better than Florida like the title jokingly states to get attention but at least for one common team comparison our defense looked better than Florida's.
As for our offense, well they are as bad as we all think and seemingly getting worse. There really isn't a bright spot to the offense. It was good to have Sanders back Saturday and I still think Clemons is going to be really, really good but those two may be the best parts of the offense although they cannot do much since the offensive line doesn't create holes for them. I could go on about the crazy plays we tried Saturday such as the Clemons and Roark passes that accomplished nothing, Newton's 17 total passing yards, backup QB Smith throwing back to back interceptions when he was put in for a couple tries, and the fact that SC's defense caught as many of our passes as we did at 4 each but these facts speak for themselves. Our offense is horrible and leaves no reason to think at this point it is going to get any better.
We now have a bye week and come back in a couple weekends to play Jacksonville State at UK. Unless UK pays people to go, the empty sections in the stadium should be visible from space by the time that game roles around.
Oh, and BIG BLUE MADNESS IS THIS FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GET EXCITED!!
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