Want to be optimistic about UK football? Three reasons things could get better
It is not a fun time to be a Kentucky football fan.
A four-year trend of declining results has the Wildcats headed for what looks like a second consecutive losing season. The most vocal portion of the fan base on social media has not been shy about calling for a coaching change. Even the group that wants change has to deal with the reality of Mark Stoops’ massive buyout making that unlikely unless he chooses to walk away, which he has vowed not to do.
But Kentucky is actually just one game under .500. There is still time to reverse the narrative.
“I told (the team) it’s about continuing to stay very positive,” Stoops said after the loss to Georgia. “I mean, we’re not even halfway through the season yet.”
Players and coaches have no choice but to keep that outlook, though Stoops and defensive coordinator Brad White acknowledged this week part of the focus during Kentucky’s second bye has been building confidence of players. It will be harder for fans frustrated by a nine-game losing streak against power-conference competition to be as optimistic.
But if you are not ready to turn the focus to basketball season, here are three reasons to hold out hope these Wildcats can still rally for a special finish.
Cutter Boley is making strides
There looked like a real scenario after the South Carolina loss that Kentucky’s second bye week would come with more talk of a quarterback change.
Cutter Boley looked overmatched in Columbia, and former starter Zach Calzada was recovering from the shoulder injury that made it easier for UK coaches to bench him. But even as Calzada neared 100%, Boley locked down the starting job with his performance at Georgia.
Against the Bulldogs, Boley completed 25 of 41 passes for 225 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
After being sacked six times against South Carolina, Boley did a better job getting the ball out quickly. He was sacked just twice in Athens.
“When you’re in there and you’re in an SEC environment and these big dudes are coming at you and you get hit a few times, things speed up a little bit,” Stoops said. “...I thought in last week’s game things slowed down for him a little bit. He trusted it. We had protection. That doesn’t mean you have all day, but we got to get the ball out as well.”
Perhaps most encouraging about Boley’s performance against Georgia was that even though the early 14-0 deficit forced Kentucky to throw more than planned, Boley was still able to make plays in predictable passing situations.
It should be noted that Georgia’s defense was under fire entering the game due to a lack of consistent pass rush. Only one SEC team (Ole Miss) has fewer sacks than Georgia this season. There are more difficult tests ahead for Boley and the offensive line.
But Boley at least looks better prepared for that challenge than a week ago.
“I thought he made big progress from last week to this week,” offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan said. “Never too high, never too low. That’s been impressive for him. The moment doesn’t seem to be too big, and he continues to get better.”
Other young players might be earning larger roles
For Boley to continue his upward trajectory, he will need help from his receivers.
The lack of a consistent downfield passing attack can not be blamed on them alone, but no one has emerged from that group as a go-to threat. Even leading reciever Kendrick Law has done most of his damage on shovel passes and screens thrown behind the line of scrimmage.
After not even playing in the first four games, freshman wide receiver Cam Miller made a statement at Georgia with three catches for 41 yards. One of those receptions came on a fourth-and-10 conversion for 18 yards.
“He’s one of those guys that’s competing for the ball,” Hamdan said. “...That was great to see.”
Miller seems certain to get more opportunities moving forward, but Stoops acknowledged Wednesday the staff is also considering expanding the roles for other young playmakers.
Fellow wide receiver DJ Miller looks like the leading candidate to be the next freshman given an opportunity. He was the most hyped of the freshmen receivers entering the season but was set back by an injury that caused him to miss the preseason scrimmages and first two games.
“Freshmen, when you miss a week in camp or two weeks, that’s like months,” Stoops said. “We’re trying to, guys that are healthy now, continue to work with them, yes, and see if they can help us.”
On defense, former Frederick Douglass edge rusher CJ Works has already seen his role expanded. Works tallied a season-high three tackles at Georgia and appears to be the top option at strongside linebacker when Kentucky plays two outside linebackers rather than a nickelback.
“He’s long, he’s athletic, he’s an easy mover on his feet,” defensive coordinator Brad White said. “He doesn’t even look like he’s as heavy as he is. Obviously just a freshman, so he’s still just getting stronger, and then trying to adjust to all the moving pieces that are put in front of him. That’s the hardest part.
“We try to keep it as simple as we can for him to be able to execute, but he’s done a nice job when he’s gotten in the game.”
Even if Kentucky does not rally to reach bowl eligibility, the ability to develop young players in the second half will be essential. The Wildcats are going to need another large transfer haul, but the pressure on those additions would be lessened if internal options emerge.
The schedule suddenly doesn’t look as daunting
Just a week ago, Kentucky looked in the midst of one of the most difficult three-game stretches of the Stoops era, but now the second game of that stretch is not even against a ranked opponent.
Texas, ranked No. 1 in the preseason Associated Press top 25, fell out of the poll after a loss to Florida. The Longhorns get No. 6 Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry this weekend, so they could be back in the top 25 for their first trip to Lexington with a win. Regardless of the outcome versus Oklahoma, that team does not currently look like the national title contender it was once projected to be.
“Their schedule is pretty tough too,” Stoops said of Texas. “Playing at Ohio State’s no joke, and then at Florida, I was really impressed with both teams in that game. I really thought Florida did some really good things. It’s not like Texas is bad. I think you know that. They’re a very good football team that’s playing a very tough schedule, and on the road, it’s no joke.”
After Texas, Kentucky hosts No. 12 Tennessee. Only one of the final five games is against a team currently ranked in the top 25, and it is possible No. 20 Vanderbilt will have fallen out of the poll by the Nov. 22 matchup in Nashville given the Commodores’ upcoming gauntlet.
To be clear, the Wildcats would not be currently favored against any of the six remaining power conference foes, but inconsistency from Texas, Auburn, Florida and Louisville this season means those games do not look like impossible wins. If Boley can continue to improve, the defense solves its perimeter tackling issue and the current negativity around the program does not torch any confidence remaining, you can at least squint and see a scenario where Kentucky is competitive in all its November games.