How Much Difference Would Baxter Have Made?

[Dead Cat Bounce]

Oklahoma's defense played very stout tonight, particularly against our rushing game. OU limited Kentucky to just 72 yards on the ground, compared to our season average coming into the game of 181 rushing yards. My question is, would C.J. Baxter have fared any better tonight? Certainly we've seen him drag some defenders for large gains. But we've seen Patterson do the same. What do you think? Would OU have contained Baxter? Or would he have loosened up their defense a bit? Let's hope he fully recovers soon.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

Likely not a lot. I am glad he has another week to recover

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Id rest him until UT. Use him next week only if needed.

 

[darkshadesofblue]

We learned to win without him, that’s a W in its self

 

[truckbrandon]

I'm wondering how much the yard short spot on every run affected us tonight... it's hard to stick with the run when you're constantly getting jipped on the spot

 

[bbnkat02]

I'm wondering how much the yard short spot on every run affected us tonight... it's hard to stick with the run when you're constantly getting jipped on the spot

Refs sucked. All night.

 

[KYAnywhereEverywhere]

Refs sucked. All night.

We did get the one no-call on passer interference towards the end. That certainly could have been called passer interference and probably was. That's definitely the only favor the refs gave to UK all night, but at least it was a big one.

 

[Cats_2010]

We did get the one no-call on passer interference towards the end. That certainly could have been called passer interference and probably was. That's definitely the only favor the refs gave to UK all night, but at least it was a big one.

Not recalling the play you are referring too but we did get a PI called on us when their receiver slipped and fell.

 

[Snarks]

Not recalling the play you are referring too but we did get a PI called on us when their receiver slipped and fell.

Yep, horrible call

 

[kyhankypanky]

I'm wondering how much the yard short spot on every run affected us tonight... it's hard to stick with the run when you're constantly getting jipped on the spot

Kept saying this to my son all night. Also they OU got a generous spot in the 4th and short where we drilled them. But alas, no review even necessary, lol!

 

[vhcat1970]

So much whining here. Dam, enjoy the win.

 

[kritikalcat]

A fully health CJ Baxter would've been a night and day difference for this offense. Not only is he the prime power running back, he's by far the best blocking out of the backfield, and reliable safety valve as a receiver. Baxter in the game means Minchey is not getting sacked and pressured so much, means more time to throw, means Oklahoma can't maintain tight coverage on Kentucky receivers in the intermediate and long vertical routes. Without Baxter's ability to run block and catch, Venables was able to adjust the Oklahoma defense to disrupt timing, effectively shutting down the Kentucky offense until the last six minutes of the game.

now a hurt Baxter playing? I'm not sure Could've helped. Could've backfired if we relied on him too much and Oklahoma was able to take advantage of him being a step slow. We won without him and if he's not truly 100% I'd even think about keeping him out of the Vandy game give him that and bye week to get healthy for the last 4 games and post season

 

[flacat22]

Not recalling the play you are referring too but we did get a PI called on us when their receiver slipped and fell.

…and pulled Sykes down by the jersey on top of him.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

A fully health CJ Baxter would've been a night and day difference for this offense. Not only is he the prime power running back, he's by far the best blocking out of the backfield, and reliable safety valve as a receiver. Baxter in the game means Minchey is not getting sacked and pressured so much, means more time to throw, means Oklahoma can't maintain tight coverage on Kentucky receivers in the intermediate and long vertical routes. Without Baxter's ability to run block and catch, Venables was able to adjust the Oklahoma defense to disrupt timing, effectively shutting down the Kentucky offense until the last six minutes of the game.

now a hurt Baxter playing? I'm not sure Could've helped. Could've backfired if we relied on him too much and Oklahoma was able to take advantage of him being a step slow. We won without him and if he's not truly 100% I'd even think about keeping him out of the Vandy game give him that and bye week to get healthy for the last 4 games and post season

That was what I kept noticing. A healthy Baxter is a huge help in pass pro.

 

[seccats04]

Kept saying this to my son all night. Also they OU got a generous spot in the 4th and short where we drilled them. But alas, no review even necessary, lol!

That was a make up call. The play before it looked like Oklahoma got the 1st down and they didn't even review it. So I wasn't too upset over this one. But the PI call in the 4Q was terrible. The Oklahoma player fell down and grabbed Sykes by the facemask and Sykes got called for the penalty.