Cole Cubelic may make you feel better about Kentucky’s win over Toledo
Not feeling great about Kentucky football in 2025 after the Wildcats’ week-one win over Toledo? You’re not the only one. An eight-point win over a MAC team to open the season coming off a 4-8 campaign the year before doesn’t inspire too much confidence, especially when your seventh-year quarterback threw for just 85 yards on 10/23 passing while the receivers combined for 12 yards on four catches. The defense looked good and the running backs made plays, but shouldn’t those things be expected considering the competition? We’re supposed to be SEC, remember?
Take a deep breath and give yourself a moment to regroup. I think I may have found something to make you feel better as Kentucky prepares for its first conference matchup with Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels coming to town.
Heard of Cole Cubelic? Of course you have — he’s one of the best football minds SEC Network has on payroll after playing center for the Auburn Tigers from 1996-2001. He hyped up the Big Blue Wall before it was cool and isn’t afraid to call it how it is, good or bad. Every week, he shares his takeaways on SEC performers after breaking down the film for every team and matchup.
His evaluation of the Wildcats in the 24-16 win over the Rockets? Surprisingly good. In fact, he made it clear that Kentucky is well on its way to becoming what Mark Stoops is looking for in a mandatory bounce-back year for the program. The offensive line and running backs all showed promise while the defense was gritty and tough.
“Got a win against a good team. Foundation of run game is there. Execution can still get better. Gap schemes looked good. Got it going between the tackles a little as well,” Cubelic wrote. “(Center) & (right guard) did some nice things. (Tight ends) helped all around. Backs can get it, vision & feel has room for improvement. (Quarterback) has the arm to get it to perimeter & downfield but has to adjust over middle. Consistency has to be there. (Dante Dowdell) ran hard. (Wide receivers) showed ability.
“Defense played hard. Rugged. Couple coverage concerns, some in scramble drill. (Defensive line) penetrated. (Sam Greene) was tough. Adjusted well up front, didn’t run themselves out of plays. (Alex Afari Jr.) good & (Steven Soles Jr.) gonna help off the edge.”
The passing game isn’t where it needs to be, but everything else suggests Stoops has a group capable of bringing the blue-collar edge and hunger that made him the winningest coach in Kentucky football history.
“Good news is, what I saw have indicators of what I think they want to get back to & what they want to be,” he said.
It wasn’t the sexiest thing in the world, but have good Stoops teams ever been considered sexy? Cleaner, sure, but the foundation is there, in Cubelic’s eyes.
That’s just one of 16 opinions he had this weekend, covering every SEC school and their Week One performances. What did he think of Kentucky’s next opponent, Ole Miss? The Rebels are coming off a 63-7 win over Georgia State — a relatively deceiving result, considering they have some obvious holes.
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He likes quarterback Austin Simmons while tight ends Dae’Quan Wright and Caleb Odom are ‘legit weapons’ and running back Kewan Lacy is a playmaker. As for the bad, the offense line needs work.
“Handled their business. QB super cool. Took some shots. Never rattled. One bad decision. Layers the ball extremely well,” Cubelic said of the Rebels. “The TE usage is going to be the key on offense. (Wright) & (Odom) are legit weapons. (Lacy) will solve a lot of problems at RB. Middle of OL has got to get some things figured out. Love the formation usage to help run game & quick throws. (Zxavian Harris) a monster on def, huge game. (De’Shawn Womack) & (Kam Franklin) will help on the edges. (Antonio Kite) had a huge game vs their best player. Like that (DC) Pete (Golding) never took foot off gas.”
Maybe the most important note? Cubelic stressed the competition gets serious in Lexington next Saturday, a sign he thinks the Wildcats may not be the pushover many are making them out to be in this matchup.
“Talent is there & can still get healthier. Ramps up quick next week,” he said.
Pay attention to Van Hiles, too
The newest member of the KSR Football Podcast is also brilliant and shows his value week after week after week — now on our own airwaves, thankfully. Van Hiles cuts up film after every Kentucky game, win or lose, and also had some good things to say about the Wildcats’ win over Toledo.
He’s got plenty of bad with the good, too, so don’t just expect sunshine pumping. Take some time out of your day to watch all of his first- and second-half cut-ups.
While you’re at it, make sure you check out this week’s edition of the KSR Football Podcast with Hiles joining Drew Franklin, Nick Roush and Adam Luckett.
A win is a win and we’ll take 1-0 entering Week Two. Now, it’s time for some SEC football.
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