Kentucky must "put to bed" Florida win to avoid LSU hangover

Kentucky fans are still celebrating the the first home victory over Florida in 35 years. This afternoon the Kentucky football team is moving on to avoid a hangover against an LSU team that is two years removed from a National Title.

“This is the next opportunity. We have to put that to bed really quick. Certainly the coaches did back in the office working yesterday and we’ll be excited to see our players today and get back on the practice field to get ready for the next opportunity. That’s what it’s about for us,” Mark Stoops said Monday.

“There’s plenty of areas we need to improve. That’s the exciting part, to get back on the field and get ready to improve.”

Areas that Must Improve

Kentucky’s offense was able to get positive yards at times, but could not consistently move the sticks. The Wildcats entered the game ranked in the top 10 nationally on third down, but only converted 1-of-8 attempts. The lone conversion was by Will Levis on a busted play.

When evaluating the Wildcat offense on film, Kentucky’s head coach sees a team that can’t sync up timely play-calls with execution.

“You can’t afford to do that, not in the SEC against a quality defense with a great defensive coach, great players. You can’t miss things when they’re there. When we try to come back to them, they’re fixed (by the defense), whether we exposed it or not. That’s what good coaches, good teams do,” he said.

“There were some plays there, maybe we missed it, quarterback’s eyes were in the wrong place. We come back to it, it’s no longer there. You can’t miss those opportunities. You gotta hit them at the right time, the right moment. We’re still just a bit off there, but again, we’re doing the right things. What I see is very positive. We’re doing the right things. It’s going to happen. Will’s going to play better, but I believe in what we’re doing with the whole group. It’ll come around.”

Challenges against Talented LSU Roster

LSU ranks last in the SEC in pass defense (248 ypg.) and second to last in rushing offense (70.6). The numbers aren’t great, but don’t get it twisted, the LSU roster is loaded with future NFL players.

“Big challenge this week with Coach (Ed) Orgeron. The LSU Tigers always a great football team with tons of talent. A very, very good football team. They have players at every position,” Stoops said.

“Again, they’re very aggressive, very impactful players, guys that can hurt you on defense at each level. You see it up front, you see it at linebacker and you see it in the secondary, guys that are NFL players, top picks, guys that can hurt you. It’s still very much one of those defenses that are in your grill, making you beat you with a lot of press (coverage), a lot of man-free, mix in some zone. But you have to beat ’em. They’re going to make you earn your yards, a very good team.”

Kentucky has faced a heavy dose of press coverage against two teams this year. The offense produced drastically different outcomes vs. Missouri and Florida, but there was one constant. Will Levis did not complete more than 10 passes in either game. For the passing game to have success against aggressive defenses, it takes a total team effort.

“You gotta have protection against a team like this. You saw Saturday a play here or a play there where we were just off on the protection. He was feeling that coming. Guys were getting open. It affects the throw. You saw us do that to them. That’s part of it when you’re playing very good defenses,” said Stoops. “With these guys with such tight coverage, our guys gotta work hard to get open and the quarterback has to trust it and hit some tight windows.”

Physical Hangover?

Kentucky’s physical stamina will be tested over the next month. Marquan McCall will be sidelined against LSU and there will certainly be other Wildcats playing “banged up” at Kroger Field. Even though the Cats just finished one tough fight, Stoops is not taking it easy on his team.

“I expect to put the foot on the gas today. We’re going hard,” he said. “I don’t know what the ceiling is but I hope to get better today. We’re excited about it.”

Stoops does not anticipate a hangover from the player vs. LSU. He expects the same from Kentucky fans at Kroger Field.

“I have no doubt in the BBN. We’re just feeding them. They’ll be back out there with full effect on Saturday. Saturday night it’ll be a great environment. Can’t wait.”