Kentucky Must Be Dialed In When Vanderbilt Comes to Kroger Field

There’s a typical refrain we hear from Mark Stoops before Kentucky takes on Vanderbilt. It’s a little different ahead of this year’s matchup.

“Coming into this press conference, I don’t have to worry about selling Vanderbilt anymore,” the Kentucky head coach opened with on Monday.

It’s impossible for Kentucky to overlook the Commodores. Vanderbilt just beat a top-five team for the first time in program history. They never trailed in a 40-35 win over Alabama. Their students celebrated by storming the field, tearing down the goalpost, then marching them miles through Nashville before dumping them in the Cumberland River.

“I have a lot of respect for Clark (Lea) and what he’s done and what he’s been building for some time. Of course, they beat us not long ago so we all know what he’s capable of and what type of quality person, and coach he is, and the job that he’s doing at Vanderbilt. Congratulations to them to see some of that hard work paying off, getting such a big victory this past week,” said Stoops.

“For us, regardless of what happens to our opponents, it’s always about us and our preparation and what we try to do.”

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Kentucky Must Be Mentally Dialed In After Bye Week

Just because Kentucky will not be overlooking Vanderbilt, doesn’t necessarily mean we will see the Wildcats’ A-game at Kroger Field. There’s a common refrain among Kentucky football fans. “Mark Stoops teams stink off a bye week. How does he not get them ready to play?”

Without pulling the numbers, that narrative isn’t too far from the truth. Stoops understands those frustrations because he has them sometimes as well.

“Frustration sets in with any of us, like with me as a coach or a fan, or as media or anything. How can you not get up for 12 games? You’re only guaranteed 12 and you gotta love these opportunities,” he said Monday.

We felt those frustrations when Kentucky played flat against South Carolina. Two days later, Stoops acknowledged that his players played hard. They were fired up, but they didn’t execute. Since that stumbling block, the Wildcats have been mentally dialed in and that must continue against Vanderbilt.

“These guys go through a lot, and it’s no excuse. There’s a lot of times where they may be up for it. We’re just not dialed in mentally on a play here or there. There’s critical moments and plays that you have to make. You know you have to make them at the right time, and you got to put yourself in a position. If you play poorly the entire game, it’s not gonna matter, because you’re not going to be in a position to come down to the wire,” he said.

“For us, it’s about execution, excitement through the week to mentally prepare and be dialed in, and fundamentally get better. We’ve been doing that. Now I’d like to see a continuation of that leading into the middle part of our season.”

It’s Coach-Speaky, but for Mark Stoops, success on Saturdays is ultimately determined by the quality of work on weekdays. Kentucky is stacking up weeks and steadily improving. That trend needs to continue off the bye week.