Replacing Wan’Dale Robinson might be more difficult than many UK fans believe. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Tonight Kentucky kicks off the football season. The anticipation and expectations have been rising since the clock ran out on the Citrus Bowl. The expectations are through the roof not only with fans but with various talking heads in the media.
A few short years ago fans had fingers crossed for a six-win season and a trip to a mediocre bowl game. The expectations then became a 10-win season. At present, many fans would be disappointed with a 9-3 record. Rooms in Atlanta for the SEC championship have been reserved, visions of storming the field after the Georgia defeat at Kroger Field are dancing in their minds.
Expectations bring joy. Expectations bring disappointments.
Can Will Levis be elite without being surrounded by superstars?
Will Levis is a marketing genius. Before he ate a whole banana (with peel) on Instagram he was an unknown. The post went viral and led to national media reporters meeting the challenge of eating a peeled banana. This led to the mayonnaise in coffee challenge and a slew of NIL deals.
Levis was the captain of a ship on the field that included an all-star running back in Chris Rodriquez, an all-star receiver in Wan’Dale Robinson and a center, Luke Fortner, that is now a starting center in the NFL. He was surrounded by pieces that would allow him to succeed.
Can two freshmen and a transfer equal Wan’Dale Robinson at receiver?
When Levis wasn’t passing the ball to Robinson he would simply hand it off to Rodruquez who was in line to become the leading rusher in the history of UK football. Robinson and Rodriguez had a combined 2,885 receiving/rushing yards last season, the most ever by a WR/RB duo in UK football history.
Until the powers that be make the decision on Rodriquez, Kavosiey Smoke will be at the front of the depth chart at running back. This shouldn’t be a large impact on the first game but as the weeks move forward the absence of the preseason all-SEC running back will be noticeable not only by the fans but on the scoreboard.
When Rodriquez returns does he immediately step into the number one spot? If the offense is clicking without him does Stoops stay loyal to Rodriquez as he has stated he will?
These are just questions that must be addressed on the offensive side of the ball.
Temper the expectations and just enjoy the ride.
8 Responses
That the best advice to have take it one game at a time.
I’d take 8 wins + a bowl victory in a New York second.
I’ve tempered my expectations my whole life. I will be happy with 8 wins. However this year has a different feel to it. There is a Lot of confidence oozing from the Cats. It’s not like they don’t know what’s ahead of them. There is some freshman starting, but it’s not out of necessity, it’s because they are Better than the older guys. That’s nice for the future. I’m going all in this year. Vince Marrow had a tweet this morning that partially read, "It’s our time." I’m going with that. GO CATS!!!
Sage advice from someone who has been around the football program for a few years.
Enjoy the blessings of increased expectations.
I liked that UK won. UK won against a good Miami of Ohio football team who had a real good QB under center too. I liked the special teams play from UK, and the Will Levis to Robinson connection all night. Brown’s kick off return was electric. That, and the fumble recovery by the UK defense pretty much sealed the deal.
What I didn’t like was the sacks on Levis M of O was able to execute at least 4 times before a UK home crowd. What I didn’t like was the absence of a potent running game from UK, and the poor run blocking by the UK offensive line, and the lack of protection they gave our QB. Obviously, UK missed C-Rod big time, but bottom line was UK’s OL did not play very well, let’s be honest. The youth on that front 5 got whipped way to much all night long by a physically smaller team from the MAC. If these problems do not get fixed quickly for game two, UK will not beat Florida come Saturday, nor will they contend for an SEC east championship like we have heard hyped up all summer.
UK coaches and players need to stop talking so much about how good they are and start taking care of business which is going to get much tougher real quick. Get the OL fixed and play your great TB named Rodriquez are my first two suggestions. Go Cats!!!
I hope the UK fans to watch some of the Tennessee Georgia and Alabama football games I don’t know if we’re in their league yet Georgia and Alabama looks super strong Tennessee was so-so but they’re good. Good luck our football season this year go out and play hard all you got no big blue
Florida also played really well
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