My big concern has been the ability for teams to have a game plan/discipline that just shuts down Leach's offense. I figured Kentucky would be the one to do it if it was possible. (Outside of the Bama/UGA massive talent advantage.)
Stoops is a career DB coach with tons of exposure to the air raid. The secondary is extremely experienced and disciplined. And they had an off week to prepare. It didn't matter.
Leach ran the ball 42% of the time (called runs to RB's.) The season average had been half that. Rogers had one bad throw that was a tough pass and was luckily dropped by the db, but was otherwise as perfect as you will ever see. The WR corps had velcro for hands. And the oline is improving.
One observation I had after watching goes back to an NFL conversation we had last week about Mahomes. Teams are dropping into coverage against the Chiefs now and when rocket arms Mahomes is off by a fraction, the ball is tipped of his receiver's hands and turns into a pick with all of the defenders back there. Is Will Rogers throwing a more "catchable" ball? Is that lack of arm strength actually an asset? Accurate and catchable sure seems to be working.
Now for the defense. What else can be said. It looked like 1999 out there. I know the d has been burned at times this year, but it's the strength of this team. 4 turnovers forced last night. As good as the offense was, that was a defensive win and you can't convince me Arnett was wearing socks last night.
That type of game plan and execution wins against our entire remaining schedule by 10+ points each game. I think the only steps necessary in year 3 or 4 are getting the oline capable of blocking the Bama/UGA fronts and maybe a real game breaker WR (looking at you Tulu/Ford) that can take those underneath passes through the entire secondary for a big one from time to time.
We have 2 more years of WR. No way he loses his spot to Robertson or anyone else and he doesn't have an NFL skill set that will have him leaving early. He's getting better and better at the 20-30 yard throws. If the oline can improve, Leach continues to run the ball 30-40% of the time when it's working, the defense can get a little more consistent, and the recievers don't have drops, I now see a team/coach that can win 10 games in the SEC. Not every year, but that's a pipe dream. But yeah, you can put it together every 3-4 years and make some real noise.
Last night erased any doubts I had left. The off week and familiarity advantage doesn't matter and Leach isn't so stubborn as to not run the ball in the red zone.
Stoops is a career DB coach with tons of exposure to the air raid. The secondary is extremely experienced and disciplined. And they had an off week to prepare. It didn't matter.
Leach ran the ball 42% of the time (called runs to RB's.) The season average had been half that. Rogers had one bad throw that was a tough pass and was luckily dropped by the db, but was otherwise as perfect as you will ever see. The WR corps had velcro for hands. And the oline is improving.
One observation I had after watching goes back to an NFL conversation we had last week about Mahomes. Teams are dropping into coverage against the Chiefs now and when rocket arms Mahomes is off by a fraction, the ball is tipped of his receiver's hands and turns into a pick with all of the defenders back there. Is Will Rogers throwing a more "catchable" ball? Is that lack of arm strength actually an asset? Accurate and catchable sure seems to be working.
Now for the defense. What else can be said. It looked like 1999 out there. I know the d has been burned at times this year, but it's the strength of this team. 4 turnovers forced last night. As good as the offense was, that was a defensive win and you can't convince me Arnett was wearing socks last night.
That type of game plan and execution wins against our entire remaining schedule by 10+ points each game. I think the only steps necessary in year 3 or 4 are getting the oline capable of blocking the Bama/UGA fronts and maybe a real game breaker WR (looking at you Tulu/Ford) that can take those underneath passes through the entire secondary for a big one from time to time.
We have 2 more years of WR. No way he loses his spot to Robertson or anyone else and he doesn't have an NFL skill set that will have him leaving early. He's getting better and better at the 20-30 yard throws. If the oline can improve, Leach continues to run the ball 30-40% of the time when it's working, the defense can get a little more consistent, and the recievers don't have drops, I now see a team/coach that can win 10 games in the SEC. Not every year, but that's a pipe dream. But yeah, you can put it together every 3-4 years and make some real noise.
Last night erased any doubts I had left. The off week and familiarity advantage doesn't matter and Leach isn't so stubborn as to not run the ball in the red zone.
