Top CFB Wide Receivers have Torched Kentucky Defenses

The Kentucky defense faces a tall task Saturday against Missouri. The Wildcats will face the Tigers’ high-octane offense that’s led by Luther Burden, the most productive wide receiver in college football. Brad White‘s defense has been challenged by similar pass-catchers over the years and they have yet to pass one of those difficult tests.

Burden has caught at least seven passes for 100+ yards in every game this season, excluding the opener when he only tallied 96 yards. Entering week six he led the nation in receiving yards (793) and receptions (54) and also had five touchdown passes on his resume. What makes the former five-star so good? Let Mark Stoops explain.

“He’s an elite player. I think [he was] the number one wideout in the country coming out [of high school] if I’m not mistaken,” Stoops said Monday. “He’s an elite guy — he’s strong, he can run, and make competitive catches. He can run by you but he’s also hard to get down.”

Thanks to Burden’s connection with quarterback Brady Cook, Missouri ranks No. 5 nationally in EPA when throwing the football. They’re scoring 33.2 points per game and averaging 10.0 yards per attempt, the second-most in the SEC.

This test comes a week after Georgia shredded the Kentucky defense for 400+ passing yards. Will they be ready for Burden and Co.? Previous meetings against top-flight pass-catchers did not end well for the Wildcats.

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Previous Top 10 Wide Receivers vs. Brad White’s Kentucky Defense

This will be the fifth time Kentucky has faced one of college football’s Top 10 receivers since Brad White became the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator in 2019. Kentucky is 0-4 in those games.

To be candid, you can’t hold one game against the Wildcats. During the pandemic plagued 2020 season, Covid-19 left Kentucky short-handed at No. 1 Alabama. In a 63-3 win DeVonta Smith caught nine passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns on his way to win the Heisman Trophy.

Last fall’s trip to Tennessee had a similar outcome. Kentucky got jumped from the get-go in a blackout at Neyland Stadium. Jaylin Hyatt had five receptions for 138 yards and two explosive touchdowns as the Vols cruised to a 44-6 victory.

Two games shared similar traits and each produced the same result. During the Covid season Kentucky got into a shootout with Ole Miss. Elijah Moore caught 10 passes for 92 yards and the game-winning touchdown in overtime. The Cats were doomed by a missed PAT in the extra period, falling 42-41. The following season it was a Pick Six that was the difference in the game. Kentucky lost to Tennessee 45-42 as Cedric Tillman tallied six receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown.

What History tells us about Saturday

What happens in the past does not necessarily dictate the future. However, history is not on the Wildcats’ side this Saturday.

Mark Stoops has not built his program to win in shoot-outs. Since 2017 the Wildcats have only won two games (Vanderbilt in 2020 and Mizzou in 2017) where each team played in the 30s. It almost happened the last time Missouri traveled to Kroger Field when Eli Cox jumped on a fumble in the end zone to give Kentucky a 35-28 fourth quarter advantage.

The Kentucky offense scored 30+ points in its first two SEC games while playing imperfect football. If Missouri continues to play at a high level and turns this game into a shootout, can the Kentucky offense be effective enough to outscore the Tigers? With plenty of high-powered offenses remaining on the schedule, the answer to Saturday night’s question may forecast how the second half of the season will unfold.

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