What Kentucky's Mark Stoops said about Tennessee on the SEC Coaches Teleconference

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops was on the SEC Coaches Teleconference on Wednesday, previewing the Wildcats (5-2, 2-2 SEC) against No. 21 Tennessee (5-2, 2-2) on Saturday night (7 Eastern Time, ESPN) at Kroger Field in Lexington.

Here’s everything Stoops said during his time on the call:

Opening Statement

“Coming off the bye week, probably came at a good time for us. We needed to get better, improve a little bit, give a little self-evaluation of where we’re at, adjust some areas where we’re falling short and get healthy a little bit. And get prepared here for the last half of the season. Excited about this opportunity and this challenge here this week, playing at home against Tennessee. I feel like we’ve improved. I think we needed to. Tennessee is always a very unique challenge with their explosive offense and how fast they go and personnel in the scheme and the whole thing. They do a great job, so it’s always challenging and they’re playing extremely good defense, very disruptive. Got some dominant guys at all three levels. So they’re playing very good football and we’re looking forward to a great game.”

If college football should allow radio communication in helmets to avoid signaling in play calls

“Yeah, I’d be all for it.  I’m not sure the reason why we don’t have it to this point. I know we’ve talked about it in the SEC meetings for several years, I think. I don’t wanna speak for everybody, but if I’m not mistaken, it pretty much was unanimous that we all were in favor of that. I’d like to see it happen, so hopefully we could work towards that.”

What he saw from the film of the Tennessee-Alabama game

“I think two very good football teams. I mean, just two strong teams across the board. Just very good, very well-coached, offense, defense special teams. I think what stood out is two physical teams.”

Reports that former Kentucky quarterback Will Levis could start for the Tennessee Titans this week

“Well, I just have a lot of faith and confidence in Will. And great appreciation for what he did for us and what a great person and leader he was, first and foremost. And just wish him the best. There’s a bunch of people here in Lexington that care about him and are rooting for him. So if that’s the case, I’m sure he’ll do a great job and he’ll be, he’ll be well prepared.”

The difference in Tennessee’s offense this season compared to last season

“I think they do a great job, as I mentioned. I think you just look at it, maybe with a defensive background, balance is key, right? And they’re pretty darn balanced. They’re 217 (rushing yards per game) to 220 (passing), so they’re very balanced. Joe Milton is playing at a very high level. He is an experienced guy, he has been around. They always have dynamic playmakers. I think their running backs probably don’t get talked about enough. I think both of those players are just very, very talented and very dangerous. When they get to the second and the third level. So they always keep you off balance. I think that’s the key.”

How Kentucky’s week of practice has gone

“I’ve been pleased with our guys, I really have. Like I said last week, we needed some time to just rest up. We needed to get better and really do a lot of good-on-good and just work on ourselves, with getting ahead a little bit. But did a lot, probably a little bit more good-on-good than I usually would. I did a lot of that last week, carried it forward here this week. So I feel like we’re getting better and hopefully that’ll translate.”