The Kentucky Wildcats are Gearing up for the Crimson Tide

By: LONNY DEMAREE

Alabama is a different challenge even though the Wildcats have ready lost to the Georgia Bulldogs.

Mark Stoops wasn’t in the mood to talk about being the dean of coaches in the SEC East of second over all in the conference.

You could see he wanted to put his focus on the preparation of getting his team ready for a possible upset of the Tide.

“I want the fans to wake up early and you know what,” Stoops said (Wink Wink, Nod Nod.)

Stoops said you can see Alabama getting better from where they were at the beginning of the season. He said Jalen Milroe has gotten a lot better in his confidence and throwing the deep ball.

We asked Stoops are all hands-on deck. He without hesitation said yes. But later in his presser, did qualify that that statement, say “we’ll see where we are.”

Stoops said that in the Mississippi State game Devin Leary suffered a vision problem complicating his ability to read the wrist band. This caused some communication problems, but he is alright now.

Stoops said that overall Leary played well. “We dialed it back late in the game,” the coach said not wanting to jeopardize the victory.
He still had some concerns for the running game. He said +0 and not -7 is what you desire. It appeared late in the second quarter they were starting to figure some things out in the run game.

A couple of safeties JQ Hardaway, and TY Bryant got significant reps in the game. As far back as spring practice, stoops has expressed measured praise for Bryant, but obvious is satisfied with the way he handles his business. Stoops likes his work ethic, his attention to detail, and his football acumen. It’s been Stoops’ MO not to be en to quick to reap a lot of praise on true freshmen.
He is bringing Hardaway along and likes his progress and he is learning what’s expected of him. It seems as though he is handling the physicality of the SEC.

Linebacker D”Eyrk Jackson for some reason is unsung. All he does is get to the ball and make plays. He was the teams leading tackler last season and is the top tackler this season. He made an outstanding break on a pass Saturday and a pick-six. That play seemed to energize the team.

The Wildcats haven’t defeated Alabama since 1997 in Commonwealth Stadium. Could it be time for another field rushing event in Kroger field?