Pregame: ‘Cats vs WKU

After coming off of a 47-14 shallacking of Kent State, Kentucky will head into tonight’s game with a little more swagger and a lot more to prove. if Kentucky cannot seal the deal agasint Western Kentucky, the game against the Golden Flashes becomes completely irrelevant. The Hilltoppers have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games. Their two losses have come from LSU and Alabama. This is not going to be an easy, walk away win for the Wildcats. If Kentucky does not respect WKU, it could get super ugly for the boys in blue.

Kentucky fans will remember the 2011 game in Nashville that the Wildcats had to escape. Western Kentucky felt like they should have won that game, and their probably right. Anyone remember Morgan Newton’s sack on himself? Western Kentucky was able to keep the margin from getting too gaudy against #1 Alabama last week. The 35-0 defeat was from being out-classed, and not having the superior depth of the Crimson Tide. The WKU defense was able to sack ‘Bama starting quarterback A.J. McCarron 6 times. Kentucky has to protect QB Maxwell Smith, or we may lose a starting quarterback.

Western Kentucky’s running game is speared by a two-headed monster of an attack. Leon Allen and Antonio Andrews look to have big games against a pourous and struggling Kentucky defense. I’ve read recently that Antonio Andrew’s is WKU’s version of former UK star and current Green Bay Packer Randall Cobb.

Kentucky has the passing attack, the receivers, and the confidence to blow the game open against Western. The biggest faux pas for the Hilltoppers have been controlling their turnovers. If Kentucky can get a few loose balls to bounce their way, the Wildcats could be in very good shape to avoid the upset.

Personally, I have faith that Kentucky can take care of WKU. Many media outlets and even national broadcasting have picked Kentucky to be on upset alert in this game. The Wildcats should be on alert, but not for the upset. The Hilltoppers program is on the rise, but Kentucky should remain at the top of the hill when it comes to this game.