So Far, So Good

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Wildcats Thunder Football/Recruiting Analyst

Yesterday's victory over EKU showcased UK's arsenal of offensive weapons, and suggested that UK's defense will be improved this year.

The offense was very good in 2006, but lacked a credible rushing threat. Now that Rafael Little(right) is healthy, that threat is present. UK's RB rotation looks deep with Dixon, Smith, and Allen, but Little is the difference maker. Little has the skills and the speed to make plays against quality opponents. It will be interesting to watch Smith and true freshman Derrick Locke as this fall progresses, and see if either makes a case for taking over that role in 2008.

In a word, UK's defense was awful in 2006. They played better against Tennessee and Clemson in the final two games, and appear to be continuing that course of overall improvement early in 2007. Yesterday, Steve Brown played a lot of young players in the rout. This game did not tell us what will happen when Brown's defensive unit lines up against a ranked D-1 offense in a close game, but you have to like the aggressiveness they showed against the Colonels.

This UK team is quicker, deeper, and more talented than any other UK team I have seen since the 1970s. That does not mean these Cats will be more successful than the 1984, 1998, and 2002 Wildcat squads. Time will tell.

I know Kent State's victory over Iowa State in Ames on Thursday night has some fans scared of next week's game. Yesterday, I spoke with several Iowa State alumni on the golf course here in Des Moines. They tell me this is Iowa State's worst football team in more than a decade. There isn't much talent left in Ames, and the coaching change has also been problematic.

While Kent State is a better football team than EKU, I hope UK fans will show some pride and confidence this week. We can't play creampuffs every week. Next weekend's game may not be a rout like yesterday. Kent State will put up a fight. But the Cats have too much fire power for Kent State. This isn't 2004. The cupboard isn't bare anymore.