After sputtering on offense for the first two games of the season, UK coach Mark Stoops made the decision to switch quarterbacks in Week 3, going with redshirt freshman Cutter Boley over seventh-year signal caller Zach Calzada.
Over those first two and a half games Calzada was 25-53 (47 percent) for 234 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception.
The move happened after Calzada went out of the Ole Miss game with an injury to his throwing shoulder.
Boley entered with six minutes to play and was 1-3 for 38 yards.
The Cats won 48-23 in Boley’s season debut as the starter. His numbers were solid, going 12-21 for 240 yards and two touchdowns. Not spectacular, but a marked improvement in the passing game this season.
With Calzada as the clear backup now and Boley entrenched as the starter behind center, Boley now has an open week before making the trip to Columbia to face a reeling South Carolina squad. More on that later.
Let us begin the evaluation process for the Cats, shall we?
The good.
The UK offense. The Cats looked much better this week in the areas of execution, big plays, and the passing game. While not perfectly crisp, Kentucky looked competent and played the part of an offense capable of making plays. The Cats had 492 yards of offense against Eastern Michigan. The run game was great as well, led by Seth McGowan’s 104 yards and three touchdowns. Jason Patterson had a good night as well, going for 80 yards and a touchdown. Boley spread the ball around to seven UK receivers, led by Josh Kattus’ three catches for 61 yards.
The kicking game. I would venture to say that Kentucky’s special teams play so far has been, well, special. Punter Aidan Laros boomed three punts for an average of around 50 yards. Kicker Jacob Kauwe made all his extra point tries and nailed two field goals, one from 51 yards away. The return game was solid for the Cats, and senior receiver Kendrick Law had 70 all-purpose yards.
The bad.
The defense. Again, like last week, the Kentucky defense was good inside its own 20-yard line or if they had EMU pinned inside their own 20 but really struggled through the middle of the field in the passing game. UK got a quick interception deep inside their own territory that led to a McGowan score early in the opening quarter that got the Cats off to a good start. The Cats also held the eagles to three possessions that ended on a turnover on downs.
Eagle senior quarterback Noah Kim was 25-42 for 330 yards and a touchdown. However, Kim and the offense could not get the ball in the end zone, scoring only two touchdowns to go with three field goals. Was Kentucky in their “bend but don’t break” zone scheme? Yes. But the concerning thing for me is giving up 131 rushing yards. Had EMU had the ability to score a couple of touchdowns instead of settling for field goals, this game gets interesting quickly.
The ugly.
Penalties. The Cats had seven penalties for 69 yards. Some of that was execution, some simple mistakes. Both can be cured this bye week before the Cats trip to South Carolina.
Grading the Cats Performance
Offense- B. I am going to go with a solid B. I thought the offense was solid, balanced, and capable. Boley looked ready to go, and the offense responded to him. Good night overall.
Defense- C. The defense had some bright spots, but also giving up 460+ yards to EMU, 330 of that passing, was a little concerning. I will be a little generous and go with a C.
Special Teams- A. The special teams have done everything asked of them for three games and without a doubt have been a major player in the Cats first three games.
SEC Competitive Layers
It’s usually not this early, but due to the expansion of the SEC to 16 schools with the additions of Texas and Oklahoma, the monster conference from the south is beginning its annual division of teams that can make a run to the College Football Playoffs, those that could have a solid year ending in a bowl game, and those that probably wind up spending the holidays at home.
With all that said, let us divide the teams in groups of four:
This group will have a legitimate chance to win a national championship.
This group will have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs.
This group will have a nice season ending in a top-tier bowl game.
This group will have a legitimate chance of a small bowl game, no bowl game, and/or coaching changes.
First, let us discuss those four schools who could legitimately win the whole enchilada.
Georgia
LSU
Texas
Oklahoma
Right now, these four schools are showing the “it” factors necessary to win a national championship. The first three schools seem like they are almost locked in chase until the end. Oklahoma might be the one that could teeter into our second level due to their inconsistency late in the regular season.
Next, those teams who have a chance to make the playoffs as at-large teams.
Tennessee
Ole Miss
Missouri
Alabama
These four could finish the season with ten plus wins and a date into the CFP. These four also could stumble in their conference schedule and wind up outside the playoffs. They have definite strengths and Achillies heels that could determine their fates.
Then, the teams that should finish with a nice record and a bowl game to travel to.
Auburn
Texas A&M
Vanderbilt
Mississippi State
Each of those schools is amid good years by any metric. They own nice non-conference wins and have momentum on their side. If one of them gets hot and puts a winning streak together, they could pass a second group team and make the Big Show.
Finally, those fans that are looking at a postseason filled with anger, confusion, and flight plan trackers waiting to see who takes over their program.
Arkansas
South Carolina
Kentucky
Florida
Looking at each of these schools, I do not feel good about their chances to make it to group three. One or two of them will be around the .500 level and play in an opening bowl game and the others will be below that mark and be looking for regime changes. I predict these four schools will be making changes at the top at the end of the season, either by choice or by force.
Week 4 predictions
Last week, the Coffee Shop Coach was 11-1. Overall, the Shop is 35-7 for the season.
Florida at Miami – After falling on the road at LSU, it does not get easier for Billy Napier and the Gators, going to Coral Gables to play a Hurricane squad that can make the case to be the best team in the country. Here is thinking the U-Haul is circling Napier’s neighborhood. Prediction- Miami.
South Carolina at Missouri – South Carolina just got waxed at home by top 25 Vanderbilt, their star quarterback has a head injury that could keep him out multiple weeks, and their current quarterback has been there for around seven years (sound familiar?) Mizzou has the offense rolling behind a punishing run game and a solid defense. If LaNorris Sellers cannot go behind the center, this could get bad. If he plays, it will be closer, but still not enough to win in Columbia. Prediction-Missouri.
Arkansas at Memphis – The Hogs played Ole Miss close last week, falling 41-35. While Memphis is 3-0 and fairly good offensively, Arkansas has enough to win this one on the road. The Hogs cross the muddy Mississippi River and win. Prediction- Arkansas.
UAB at Tennessee – Poor Trent Dilfer. The embattled Blazer coach brings his squad to Rocky Top to face a Volunteer squad still stinging from losing to Georgia in overtime at Neyland. The Vols are angry and looking for retribution. UT by a bunch. Prediction- Tennessee.
Auburn at Oklahoma – Auburn signal caller Jackson Arnold returns to Norman to face his former teammates. Sooner coach Brent Venables will have a scheme to defend his former signal caller, and OU quarterback John Mateer has been must see TV this year, possibly on a march for the Heisman Trophy. Prediction- Oklahoma.
Tulane at Ole Miss – A lot of Kentucky eyes will be on this game since Tulane coach is Jon Sumrall and would be on the UK short list should the Cats have to make a move at Head Coach. The Green Wave has enough to beat the Rebels; however, Ole Miss might be on to something with the emergence of Trinidad Chambliss at quarterback. If Austin Simmons cannot go again, Chambliss could put him in his rear-view mirror. Tulane has the pieces to win this game, and I predict a shootout in Oxford. Prediction- Ole Miss.
Northern Illinois at Mississippi State – If Vanderbilt was not amid a football renaissance in Nash Vegas, the story of the year so far in the conference is the revival of Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are 3-0, own a win over CFP participant Arizona State, and have an electric offense again led by coach Jeff Lebby and quarterback Blake Shapen. Keep an eye on the Dawgs. They could be a CFP dark horse. The Huskies do not have enough to play with MSU. Prediction- Miss State.
Georgia State at Vanderbilt – Speaking of the Commodores, you cannot find a better story in college football than coach Clark Lea and his top 25 ‘Dores. Now 3-0, the possibility is there that Vandy could be 5-0 going into Tuscaloosa to face a suddenly hot Alabama. What a crazy world of college football we live in. Prediction- Vanderbilt.
SE Louisiana at LSU – The Tigers grinded out a win over Florida in Death Valley 20-10. The Tigers were mad, coach Brian Kelly threw a fit on the Baton Rouge sports writers postgame, and the writers are mad at the team for not winning 70-0. A lot of anger down there on the bayou. Poor SE Louisiana. Prediction- LSU.
Sam Houston at Texas – Arch Manning is being maligned in Austin for not being Peyton Manning, Eli Manning or even Archie Manning. I do not think it is fair to compare him to three Hall of Fame type family members who played quarterback. But so goes the hype train. Manning needs a big game to at least quiet down the noise. He should look better this week against the Bearkats. But if he does not, the calls to replace him get a lot louder. The Horns defense will not let them lose though. Prediction- Texas.
Shane Shackleford is a regional sports columnist from Speedwell, Tenn. He is the host of the webcast The Local Sports Coffee Shop and is also the author of Bounce: A Basketball Love Story (on Amazon) and the soon-to-be released 30 Wins, 2 Lessons: the 1978 National Champion Kentucky Wildcats. Shane is a retired teacher and coach, married to Liz Johnson Shackleford, and dog dad to Lady, Blue and Rupp.
