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Aside from the exceptionally hard hitting the spring practice was a success. The response of the fans is starting to look like what we see in the rest of the SEC as it relates to spring-game attendance. This is a huge help in recruiting. “I was pleased with the gains we made in the spring,” offensive coordinator Neal Brown said. “After looking at the film of the game I saw some good things.” He said he was glad to see Patrick Towles play well but he honestly said they are a year away.
What does that mean? Being competitive with the teams at the top rung of the ladder or being able to defeat the rest of the SEC team on the schedule?
Let’s use a couple of models of former also-ran teams Vanderbilt University and the University of Missouri. Over the first decade of the 2000’s including 2010 UK had an 8-3 edge on Vandy. Since the arrival of Coach James Franklin UK is 0-3 against the Commodores. Granted his talent was better when he arrived at Vandy than when Stoops arrived at UK. Running back Zack Stacy was just shy of a 1000-yards last season playing only ten games in the NFL. But Franklin went to an unprecedented three straight bowls winning two of them. He fashioned records of 6-7, 9-4, and 9-4 while defeating Tennessee back to back and Florida something UK hasn’t done in over two-decade and a half. Wide receiver Jordan Matthews was as good a playmaking receiver as there was in the SEC going down the stretch of 2013.
Having said that UK has some catching up to do but the point is if Vandy can do it why can’t the Cats? One thing the previous coaches before Franklin were able to do and that was to establish a good base of red shirts. Robbie Caldwell went 2-10 in 2010.
In 2012 Missouri was winless in the SEC. But their quarterback James Franklin was out the entire season and young quarterback Maty Mauck got valuable experience. In 2013 Franklin missed a good bit of the season again but Mauck was ready. The Tiger’s only SEC regular season loss was to LSU in overtime 24-27. Again their base was strong on both sides on the football. The offense was anchored by receivers sophomore Dorial Green-Beckham who has since been dismissed from the team and L’Damian Washington. The defense was anchored by defensive ends Michael Sam and Kory Ealy both of who could play in the NFL. Running back Henry Josey is back for his senior season.
Where does UK fall in those aforementioned examples? A SIX PACK OF QUESTIONS:
1) Is the Wildcats talent now comparable to what James Franklin inherited at Vanderbilt?
2) Can Mark Stoops motivate to the level of the aforementioned?
3) Can Neal Browns offense come up with the wide receiver playmakers of Vandy and Missouri?
4) Can UK do what Vandy was able to accomplish and break the long losing streak to Florida?
5) Who will be the quarterback be and will he make plays unlike something the quarterbacks haven’t been able to do in the last three years?
6) Can UK take advantage of a rebuilding Tennessee Vol team?
Stay tuned these questions will be answered sooner rather than later.
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