Kentucky

Welcome to the new home for the postings of the "GBU". After much discussion with moderators and board members who desired to read this train of thought, it was decided to outsource it to stay in compliance on both sides. Basically, now, if you hit the link from BOL, you've taken ownership in your actions. Ain't that something? Anyways...

The Good…


Even in a let down, they get the win...

Last year and the year before, a let down game would have brought on a loss, but this year they have found ways to win in spite of themselves. That is a change that is worth noting because it has been years since that was the case.

Rushing attack carries the day

The three headed running attack of Coffee, Ingram, and Upchurch have been the most consistent part of the offense all year. They also have begun to establish their roles in the backfield. Coffee is the starter and load carrier. Ingram is the short yardage bruiser. Upchurch is the change of pace back that explodes when he runs. Ingram's injury hampered him much of the game, you could see it even on that nice swivel cut right early in the game that he wasn't full steam yet. Upchurch continues to improve, but for whatever reason he can't gain the staff's confidence to let him loose more often. Coffee just keep running forward and getting yards and finds that acorn once a week that gets him a huge run.

Forcing Kentucky to become 1 dimensional

The nice thing about Kentucky is this, if they want to win, they have to have real balance. Their defense is good enough to keep them in most games, but if their offense is going to win, they have to establish the running game. That's how they beat LSU last year. They lined up and ran or threw out of the same formations. The Tide defense stayed in the nickel almost 90 percent of the game because they had to honor the run early. They kept Kentucky hemmed up at the line of scrimmage and that forced Kentucky to become extremely one dimensional after the half.

Linebacker play

It was nice to see Hightower and McClain continue to grow fast. They don't play like a true sophomore or a true freshman do they? That's the real key to the defense is that they work well together, and have grown in the line of fire and kept the mental errors that plagued the linebackers last year, especially down the stretch, to a minimum. Terrance Cody has a part in this, but they have been in position for the most part on pass coverage, and that is all them. I don't know that I call Fanney a linebacker in all honesty, he's played hand down about all year and rushed from the end all year. Reamer has been limited in his P/T due to the use of the nickel, so he's been a part time player the majority of the year. When he has played, he has been rather good at covering his corner.

Specialists

When you see the heading, you probably think Tiffin or Arenas, not this week. You'll find them later on, unfortunately. The specialists that I'm impressed with are guys like Anders, Upshaw, McCall, etc. They have 1 purpose when they are out there, and for the last 3 or so games, they have hit the mark each week. Anders is a good pass rusher, he won't be asked to play linebacker like Reamer or the two middles are, but he can blitz and rush protect at the line. Upshaw is about the only quality highlight on special teams coverage and his p/t at Jack will grow from that. McCall is in the game to block and about 3 or 4 times a game you will see him make the seal block that springs the runner for the key runs. Not a lot of talk about these guys because it doesn't show on the stat line, but McCall and Anders are a part of why their respective sides look better this fall. McCall especially. They have allowed him to move and help the OL shore up the weak spots from last year and that is getting the backs from the line to the second level.

The Bad…

Playing how you practice

A lot of folks think this is a stab at the coaches. Sometimes it is, but this time it is on the players. The coaches can yell, shout, do whatever, but at some point the players have to handle their prosperity. We all knew they would not go into this week's game with the same focus as UGA. Nobody would, but you could tell from the penalties, missed assignments, arm tackles, and the usual issues that result from a sloppy practice week it wasn't what the staff had in mind. The officiating left something to be desired, but some of the penalties were there. It wasn't the officials picking on Bama as much as they came from lack of focus. The old adage still holds true, you play like you practiced and it was self evident.

Secondary play

I'm not thrilled that the corners have gone back to playing the WR and not the ball. I'm also starting to notice there is always a point in the game where a safety makes a mistake in Cover 2 and the result is a touchdown or big play. Now, CBS said it was Rashaad's mistake that lead to the late TD. That's partly true. He did bite on the TE when he shouldn't have, but Sharrief was the goat on the play. At the time of the game, I thought the same because a SS or FS should never go forward if there is a go route. Johnson released like he was supposed to from corner and would have been on the TE because the TE cut back towards MJ. Sharrief released too early from his quarter zone and that caused the confusion. This is a common issue now in the last 2 games. Bama gets up by playing aggressive and hard nosed, then gets into a conservative containment defense (quarter cover 4 or cover 2/3 nickel) and they can't handle the assignment play. They like swarming and moving and not thinking and reacting. I'd say the secondary gets a long week of practice at them because they've been a goat the last 2 games in the 4th.

The Ugly…

Special teams

It isn't a week of GBU without it. Arenas is special, no denying it, but he's dangerous on both sides. He will be the return man until he gets torn in two, but the staff is going to get tired of the living on the edge play that gets him in trouble. I like the effort, and the desire to make something happen, but not every play is that play. There are times where a fair catch is the best play you can make. Tiffin had a bad day, no major issue other than I hope it doesn't continue on through the year like it did 2 years ago. He did hit the late FG and I'll hope it stays true from there, but his play was a big reason why KY was back in the game. Return coverage continues to be the worst aspect of this team. They give up too much yardage even when they don't let the opponent house one. That will be the other long stare of the bye week is return coverage.

Random Thoughts…

Can the spread work in the SEC?

It can, but it has to have true balance and execution to work. Auburn's issue is that they can't decide how much "spread" they want to run and how much traditional I formation they want to have. Same for UT, their new OC is being asked to build a hybrid form of "spread" and it looks like crap. Is it Franklin or Clawson's fault? Partially, but the Head Coach for both have a lot to do with it. Tubs and Fulmer have both watered down and kept their thumb on the play calling and philosophy and that won't work for either OC. Both coaches are struggling to understand the concept of the spread and the OC's can't help them get there. Most observers have said what AU is running isn't Franklin's "airraid" style of play, it is cut and paste Tubs and Franklin. Clawson isn't even getting that much input. Remember, part of the success of the spread is that it sets up fast and runs a semi-hurry up offense.

I think watching UF use it and win is evidence it can work, but at UF they have the capacity to run with Tebow and Harvin and the rotation of RB's they have. The spread is a pass to set up the run style of offense and depends on the zone blocking and execution at the line to work. It can score big, but cannot win shootouts because it requires balanced production to work. Auburn and UT both need to watch Florida and even LSU to a degree if they want to see how a spread field offense can win in the SEC.

If Alabama could harness Vandy's discipline and focus with Alabama's talent, there wouldn't be a team in the nation to stop them.

Vandy is not special when you look at their players. There isn't a high talent guy or a 5 star freshman changing their look. They are just 100 percent all in on Bobby Johnson's way. They are full speed into his vision and the discipline they show in the game each week is a signature of his coaching. I still say Johnson pound for pound is one of the best, if not the best, coaches in the SEC, and this season is putting it in stone. It was fun to root for Vandy and know they had a real shot. I wish Bama's players could keep that kind of discipline week in and out, if they could- there wouldn't be anything between them and the BCS championship. I can see Saban's focus growing on the players, but for every Georgia game, there is that Tulane or Kentucky let down. Of course I say this and Vandy loses to MSU next week and it is all square one stuff.

What did this game teach me?

Auburn v. Vandy

Talent doesn't beat a team effort. That's the difference in where Vandy is and Auburn is. Auburn wants to out talent you and Vandy takes 22 guys and beats you together.

Ole Miss v. USCar

Never count out the Ol Ball Coach. He won't win the SEC this year, but he can dictate who does. USCar isn't a bad team, they just haven't gotten the execution on offense they need. Ole Miss continues to have those growing pains where they win or play above themselves and then follow up with a loss. Nutt is a good coach, the jerk in him may jade your view, but from an x's and o's perspective he's a good coach. He has talent but he has to change the culture still and that takes time.

Army v. Tulane

Tulane really wasn't that good after all, but that wasn't something I learned, hopefully some others learned it. You know the ones of you who flood my email about Tulane.

Texas A&M v. Okie State

Kines still can't stop the inside trap. Insert your youtube video here...

Buy/Sell/Hold

The dark horse national champion contender is Texas Tech.

BUY. I think we're about to find out how good they are, but with their offense and improving defense (or at least it looks better against the opponents they've faced) they have a shot. A lot of folks thought KSU would catch them, they didn't come close.

The Big 12 is the best conference in the nation.

SELL. The SEC is still the flagship there. The difference right now is that the SEC has put some marquee match ups on the board and the 12 is just now starting in on their conference slate. After this week, don't be surprised if Chokelahoma and Missouri are both outside looking in.

Vandy will win the East.

SELL. There is a lot of hope and dreams in this team, but let's be real. They just don't have the "it" they need for UF and UGA yet. I like a good Rudy story like the next guy, but it just ain't so.

Saban and RLB like the old carry the football punishment.

BUY. It was always fun to torture the RB during the week if he had the drops. I think a good dose of humility and getting into his head to hold the ball with 2 hands will do Glen good. You can run for 200 yards and that's nice, but what would have happened if that last fumble cost Bama the game? Do you care then? No.

Got a suggestion or wanna discuss outside the board? Email me at bevil_76@yahoo.com .