Mark Stoops believes Texas is 'as strong as anybody in the country'

Heading into a showdown with No. 3 Texas, Kentucky knows it’ll have its hands full if it hopes to spring a huge upset on the road.

Coach Mark Stoops left little doubt about just how big an upset it would be when discussing the upcoming game against Texas at his weekly press conference earlier this week.

“I mean there’s no weaknesses on this team,” Stoops said, before issuing a challenge. “The eye test they’re as strong as anybody in the country. Tell me one group (that’s not).”

That’s certainly the case on paper.

Texas ranks in the single-digits ranking-wise nationally in passing efficiency and passing efficiency defense, passing yards allowed, scoring defense and total defense.

The only major offensive or defensive category that Texas isn’t ranked in the top 25 in currently is rushing offense, where the Longhorns check in at No. 65 nationally. A bunch of great units and one more average one. Not too shabby.

“I mean you look at them offensively, dynamic play-caller and a great coach, O-line is completely solid, running backs, two great ones, probably more, probably four,” Stoops said. “But wide receiver room, arguably the best in the country. Dynamic tight end. Tight ends. You know, defensively front four. They lost some guys that were pros, replaced them in the portal with pros. Really deep, really big. You know I’d say arguably again the best secondary in the country, bar none.”

The long and short of it is that Texas is ranked as the No. 3 team in the country for a reason. And the Longhorns still have everything to play for, so the Wildcats can’t be expecting a lackluster effort.

Kentucky can, however, play spoiler. But it will be under no illusions about what’s to be expected after Stoops’ checklist of areas that Texas is great in.

“You put that together, pretty solid team,” he said.