Ole Miss at Kentucky predictions: Could a dose of Joey Gatewood boost UK’s offense?
It’s almost game time. Here are some final thoughts on how Kentucky’s game against Mississippi might play out Saturday in Lexington.
Ole Miss-firing
Kentucky gave up five passes of 20-plus yards to Bo Nix last week at Auburn, the longest completion totaling 32 yards. Nix didn’t necessarily pick UK apart, but he was mobile enough to stay upright most of the day and capitalize on the Cats’ miscues when presented with short fields multiple times.
Mississippi completed eight passes that went for 20-plus yards last week against Florida, including four that went for 40-plus yards. Its primary quarterback, Matt Corral, was also sacked four times, and that level of pressure is something UK should be able to replicate, even if it doesn’t necessarily end in a guy being on the ground, to keep the Rebels from putting up the same gaudy numbers in Lexington that they did a week ago.
Week one can be incredibly deceiving: Chances are Florida’s defense isn’t as Swiss-cheese as it looked in Oxford, and the Rebels probably aren’t as other-worldly on offense as they seemed. But, Ole Miss did gain confidence heading into a matchup that, in its eyes, will be much kinder than last week’s. It’s up to Kentucky to set the pace to its liking immediately and rein in the Rebels’ gusto. And the Cats should be able to do that; they managed to control most of the game against a more gifted Auburn team, and arguably were the more dominant squad outside of their turnover barrage, among other things.
If Kentucky dictates the terms of engagement, it wins. If Ole Miss gets comfortable and in a flow, playing catch-up could make for a long day for the Cats.
Gatewood sighting
I’ll be floored if the newly eligible Joey Gatewood doesn’t get on the field Saturday.
The Auburn transfer won’t start in place of Terry Wilson, nor will he usurp Wilson as the Wildcats’ quarterback after a poor start or anything of that sort. But given the fanfare surrounding his arrival in Lexington, his experience playing in the Southeastern Conference and the additional wrinkle he could give an offense that might need a little extra “oomph” this week and next, here’s guessing the sophomore has his number called at least once.
I understand those UK fans who were frustrated that the ball wasn’t handed back to Chris Rodriguez after his touchdown run was ruled otherwise. After the ball was marked at Auburn’s 1-yard line late in that half, I was somewhat surprised that Sawyer Smith didn’t get a shot to sneak it into the end zone; he was a short-yardage machine last year in spot relief of Lynn Bowden and might have caught the Tigers off guard.
Gatewood should be an ace in situations like that going forward. He’s 6-foot-4, 222 pounds, an inch taller and one pound heavier than Smith, but also has a cannon of an arm that could make him particularly dangerous in Wildcat sets or otherwise unusual formations.
For what it’s worth, head coach Mark Stoops in his final news conference of the week said Beau Allen remains the backup heading into this weekend, as he’s gotten most of the backup reps the last two weeks, but Gatewood has practiced enough that spot action should be plenty doable if the coaches deem it worthwhile.
More runners?
Kentucky fans disgruntled by the distribution of carries to the team’s running backs in week one probably weren’t satisfied with the answer provided by Eddie Gran, co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach, when he was asked about that disgruntlement this week.
“I love the distribution right now. Absolutely love where it’s at,” Gran said rotating A.J. Rose, Kavosiey Smoke and Chris Rodriguez. “They’re excited about it, so really that’s all that matters.”
Whatever opinion you have of a three-back rotation or how it’s handled, all of those guys have demonstrated the capability to be the leading rusher on any given Saturday. Might another throw his hat into the ring this weekend?
True freshman JuTahn McClain and redshirt freshman Travis Tisdale were named as notables in practice this week by UK defenders who spoke with the the media.
“Especially Tisdale, when he hits the hole, I mean he goes,” safety Yusuf Corker said. “He’s one of the fastest kids on our team and he’s a tough runner.”
Stoops would like to work more freshmen, both the redshirt and new-to-campus varieties, onto the field against Mississippi. Even in the already-crowded backfield, if possible.
“Travis is a guy that I’d love to see get some touches,” Stoops said Thursday. “He’s an explosive player. He can really go and could be a difference-maker. You might possibly see him on some kick returns once or twice as well, just to see if we can get him a few touches. I’d like to see him with the ball in his hands. The same with JuTahn. He’s really practiced well, but like you said, it’s a crowded backfield.”
A guess: One of those two busts a big run or return, immediately vaulting them to the top of some fans’ “Why isn’t this guy starting” list?
Final predictions
Kentucky 31, Mississippi 27: This doesn’t pop off as a “grind-it-out” score, but I think that’s the way this goes. Got a feeling an angry UK team comes out of the gates strong, builds a double-digit halftime lead and then sweats out the Rebels down the stretch before ultimately prevailing with its first “W” in this hellish year and giving the 12,000 or so fans at Kroger Field something to celebrate while socially distancing themselves back to their vehicles.
MVP: Keaton Upshaw. One week after committing a bad penalty, one of several errors that added up to bring Kentucky down, he scores a touchdown and reels in at least four receptions.
The last word
Defensive end Josh Paschal, on playing in front of a reduced home crowd for the first time:
“I can’t wait. Just to be out there on Kroger Field with the boys, I’m ready to play some ball. We’re still gonna have fans, so I expect the fans to be loud and I know BBN will come out and do that. It’s gonna be a good one.”
