Defensive coordinator Brad White has an experienced group of linebackers that could help make UK an elite defense. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Anthony White was one of the most productive and versatile running backs ever at Kentucky.
The former all-Southeastern Conference back ran for 1,758 yards and 11 touchdowns from 1997-99 and averaged 4.8 yards per carry. During those same three years he caught 194 passes for 1,520 yards and eight scores while averaging 7.8 yards per catch. White left UK with 3,278 yards rushing and receiving — an average of 5.9 yards on the 558 touches he had — and 19 touchdowns.
Yet it is defense, not offense, that has him believing this can be a special season for Kentucky football.
“I don’t think there are more than two or three games where our defense should give up more than a touchdown and two field goal,” White said on WLAP Sunday Morning Sports Talk. “I am not even sure Georgia can do it.”
Instead, he believes Ole Miss, Auburn and Tennessee might be the three teams who can score over 13 points against Kentucky’s defense this season.
White’s former teammate, all-SEC defensive back Van Hiles, likes UK’s defense but also does not think it is realistic in today’s college football for any defense to be that dominant.
“The only two I am confident (that won’t score over 13 points) are Vandy and South Carolina,” Hiles said on the radio show.
However, Hiles also understands White is not one to make rash comments without information to back up his belief.
“If Anthony is comfortable saying that, I am comfortable riding with him. I am changing my pick for this season to 10-2 and if we don’t win nine saying it is a bad season. I have never seen Anthony this confident,” Hiles said.
White explained he believes UK’s defense is more “seasoned” than in recent years and just has to avoid letdowns or losing focus.
“There are just so many things that would go wrong the last few seasons that I think they will clean it up this year,” White said.
13 Responses
I think you should win 90% of the games where you give up only 20.
I think our defense will be good, but it’s too early to be talking 10-2. Let’s see how we fare against our first 3 opponents, the third being Georgia, and then have this conversation. Right now, I think 8-4 is our ceiling with 4-8 the outcome if all goes wrong.
4-8 lol. Do you watch football? Yes we have tanked a couple of games every season. We gave 2 games away last year and should have won 9 games with alot less talent. Did you see the guys we got in the transfer portal. All Americans Pop and Brock. They will lead Kentucky to the playoffs or very close to it.
I hope you are right TJ, but as of now, the best I can see is 8 wins.
As usual, I am in a wait and see mode. I think Brad White is a very good coach, but there are an awful lot of times when UK plays off the line and allows teams to pick up 1st downs that should never happen. Heck, 3rd and forever is nothing against UK the way they back off sometimes. Defense needs to be aggressive, not Prevent, and I just don’t see that nearly enough from White. Maybe he’ll change this year, but I won’t count my chickens before they hatch.
That is true to many 3rd and longs converted in the last couple years. I think we have that problem fixed now. I’ve never seen a defense with 9 starters back that didn’t improve. Unless there is a bunch of injuries our defense will carry us but our offense will be much improved as well.
My 11-3 comment doesn’t seem to bad now. I see us making the playoffs. Winning the first game and losing the second game. 10-2 (6-2) tied for 3rd just missing the SEC championship. We go to the playoffs and win the first game easily. Then the second game gets us. I think we lose to Georgia at home in a very close game. I also think we lose either At Texas which is up in the air depending on their running back situation. Ole Miss will be a close game as well. Everybody laughs when I say 11-3 but it’s not funny. With the defense being elite and the offense definitely better. We should be 3 games better than we was a year ago. We only play 4 top 25 teams and Louisville is ranked 26th.
I’ve been optimistic year after year based on the team on paper, reports by coaches, articles hyping various players, etc.
My optimism has been tempered by reality. The past 2 seasons, based on two recent 10-win seasons in the books and potential supposedly ready to make an impact and then the season starts with players in a trance – as usual in game 1 and in many games.
UK is either not ranked or ranked in the 20’s at best in various pre-season polls. That may be more realistic. Won’t know until game 3 and that’s only if UK is 2-0 going into game 3.
Something is missing – either somewhere among the position coaches or the HC & OC & DC. Consistency is never found for a full season. Either UK chokes when a big game against an elite team could surge UK up the standings or UK mails in a loser vs a Vandy.
Hopefully this is a turning point to get UK going in the right direction and staying at an elite level. Otherwise, we may see yet another OC and a flustered group of players who really want to win but bogged down by too many players who aren’t dedicated and coaches scared of losing.
If a cornerback has to play 5-10 yards off of a receiver, then UK has the WRONG CB on the field! How many times in the past 10 years have we seen UK GIVE AWAY a 5 to 10 yard game or even more because the secondary is covering grass instead of covering a receiver!!!
Sadly, 4-8 to 8-4 is what this program has “proven” to expect now that TX & OK are in the league and one of those will be playing UK every season,
I hope we go 10-2, 11-2 or undefeated. That’s a dream but I’d like to see it. The WB, receivers, TE’s, RB & the powerful D-line & linebackers SHOULD win at least 8 with 10 very possible.
However, Stoops must
first learn how to send a team out of the locker room awake,
have a designated Special Teams coach and
NOT control the OC.
Now we have to add to the list teach players NOT TO STEAL by taking pay checks when not working. That’s a very elementary lesson that nearly any little kid knows if they have just an ounce of integrity. I have zero respect for a Rodriguez and the other 10 thieves. How many repaid the money? Is the Scum who made those arrangements in jail AND paying a hefty fine as well as all the money he orchestrated in the theft???
Little Baron wqs wound up! I try not to be so long-winded. Maybe Stoops should give me a call about speaking to the players before the game. I have stirred up over 200 people in a short message with impressive results. At least, he should stop singing a lullaby to put them to sleep before kickoff!
In the past, Stoops has always played not to lose and won quite a few game that way. We lost some key games that we were in a position to win and Stoops went conservative. Sure, when you play to win, you can’t afford any mistakes or the game goes the other way. But if we are going to beat Georgia, Ole Miss, and Tennessee in the same season, we are going to have to go all in and believe that we are good enough to come out with the Ws.
It seems so simple to me. Look at what champions, and those that legitimately compete for the championship each season score on average and allow opponents to score on average.
Any program aspiring to compete for, much less win championships must strive to match those levels of performance. Falling short on offense or defense eliminates a team from this exclusive group. The average scoring and points allowed provide the roadmap to success in football.
UK has had perhaps 1 season scoring over 30 ppg, while champions routinely score over 40 ppg. UK has had 1 or 2 seasons allowing less than 20 ppg, yet champions routinely allow 14 ppg or less throughout a season.
When Stoops, or any UK coach, produces a team that can score over 40 ppg while holding opponents to under 14 ppg, I will acknowledge that team’s championship potential. Until that time, UK is just a pretender.
Yes, UK’s program has improved under Stoops’ leadership.
Yes, the world of college football is changing radically and rapidly.
However, the facts about championship-caliber teams have not changed.
SEC Teams must be able to compete for THE CHAMPIONSHIP if the team is able to compete in the SEC.
Professor is exactly right. You have to be efficient on both sides of the ball and perform well on Special Teams to compete for Championships.
Professor, when you’re right, you’re right.