With Smith out, both Whitlow and Towles to play

Two plays against South Carolina and QB Maxwell Smith was laying on the ground, grabbing his ankle. Smith missed the last game against Florida with a separated shoulder, and now an apparent ankle injury. Today we learned the severity of the injury, and Max’s timetable to return is unknown. Smith tore a ligament in his left ankle and now will be required to have surgery. Instead of wondering what game he will be back, many wonder if he will be back this season.

After designing the new hurry up offense around Max Smith, who will take the reins now? After the Florida beat-down, Morgan Newton has not been mentioned in the quarterback role. Freshman QB Jalen Whitlow played a very nice game against South Carolina, and now Joker Phillips will have to pull the redshirt off of Patrick Towles. Joker recently stated that both freshman quarterbacks   would play in the game against Mississippi State on Oct. 6th, so nobody really knows who will be the “starter” and who will be the “backup”.

Since the redshirt was placed on Patrick Towles, many UK fans have not heard much about him since his recruitment. If they have, it’s because of his father. The elder Towles spoke to the media about his concerns regarding his son not getting the chance to play this year. Some reports have even said that Towles and his father would consider sitting down after the season and discussing a possible transfer out of the program. Will the recent injury to Maxwell Smith keep Patrick Towles in Kentucky blue? I really have no idea, but I’ve heard some outlandish comments about the former Mr. Football in Kentucky. Many have thrown around Tim Couch comparisons, calling him the next great gun-slinger to line up under center for Kentucky. If that’s the case, I hope he makes the most of his playing time and proves he’s worthy of such high regard. In case anyone forgot, Tim Couch was a Heisman Trophy winner and was selected #1 in the NFL Draft. Towles was recruited very heavily by Cincinnati, Louisville, Illinois, and Vanderbilt, but chose to stay at home with the Kentucky Wildcats. Can he live up to the hype?

Joker Phillips needs some good karma, period. Stay away from black cats, ladders, and mirrors. Throw salt over your shoulder or whatever you have to do. Now that Smith is out indefinitely, Phillips must rely on two freshman quarterbacks to essentially save his job. I’ve never seen too many dual quarterback offenses work very well, let alone with both players being freshman. Maybe the injury to Smith was a small blessing in disguise? If Kentucky can manage to upset a team or two, salvage a few games here or there, it could really boost the persona around Joker Phillips. He could be the coach that has the least to work with, and makes the most out of it. The administration already is sticking by him for the rest of the season, it’s now his turn to prove he’s going to make something of this team in the years ahead.