Mark Stoops has done one of the better jobs we have seen of turning around an SEC and really a CFB program in recent memory. What he has done is nothing short of remarkable and brilliant.
Heading into this season the optimism for BBN could not get too awfully much higher. Of course pride comes before a fall.
The Kentucky Wildcats are likely to be missing a key defensive starter in the season opener against Miami (Oh) on September 3rd.
Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio reported Monday that linebacker Jordan Wright is expected to be suspended one game for an undisclosed off-the-field issue.
This comes after Jones reported on Friday that star running back Chris Rodriguez is expected to be suspended three or four games with the final determination expected to be made this week.
Rodriguez was arrested for a DUI back in May and would plead guilty to that charge in July. However, there’s been another private issue that will likely affect his availability for at least the early portion of the regular season, though what that issue is has not been made public.
That three or four game determination is significant however because it means for certain that Rodriguez will miss week two, more specifically he will miss the Florida game. You know, the one that is only an in division rival, on the road, that could very well derail UK dark horse division title hopes before they get started.
The Wildcats desperately needed that UF game to be a win if they wanted to have any hope of winning the SEC East.
You see, the Gators are, obviously, having a down year. So, if there was any year anyone, not just UK, could win in the swamp, its this one.
It also stands to reason, that UK, more than likely will suffer at least one if not two in division losses.
Meaning they need to beat UF on the road, and cannot afford to lose their SEC west games against the Mississippi schools.
Now I know what your saying, ‘how can you so casually say UK will have two in division losses?’
Well, for starters, Georgia are the defensing national champions and they show no sign of having a drop off remotely close enough to make that game competitive after their 30-13 drumming of the wildcats last season.
Then you must consider that, if history has anything to say about it, UK will lose to UT.
Just look at the facts, forgetting the overall rivalry, just since 2010 UK is only 3-9 against the Vols. That includes a win over a dead man walking in Derek Dooley in 2012 and a win over an interim head coach in 2020. It also includes losses in the midst of otherwise historic seasons for the Wildcats like 2018 when they had Benny Snell, won ten games, and finished second in the East; but lost 24-7 to a Vols team that finished dead last in the division and 5-7 overall.
Returning to the original point though, the Wildcats will be fine without Wright in week one, just have to hope he keeps his nose clean and does not get his sentence extended.
The loss of Rodriguez however, looms large as again the Cats desperately need that win at Florida, and dependent on whether it is three or four games, if it is four, Rod would be returning having not played any live game reps the week UK has to travel to Oxford, another key SEC game. Will Rodriguez be rusty? Who knows.
The good news on that front is the running back has been active in camp.
Rodriguez has been very much in part of the team’s preseason workouts and was on the field during an open practice for media members on Wednesday afternoon. During team drills, Rodriguez appeared in shape and prepared for the upcoming season while working out Wednesday.
In the meantime, while no one is Chris Rodriguez, Sam Houston State transfer Ramon Jefferson has impressed during fall workouts. Coach Stoops said Jefferson had “tough runs” and “did some really good things” in the team’s scrimmage last weekend.
UK starting QB Will Levis was quoted as saying Jefferson is a “smaller version” of Rodriguez, but more shifty in the open field. He compared Jefferson to a “little bowling ball.”
Levis went on to say “He’s got a good feel too, just a smart football player, he’s doing a really good job in protection, getting in his spots in the passing game, able to catch balls out of the backfield. As long as he just plays how he is and who he is as a player, he’s going to get reps for us and make an impact, for sure. I’m excited.”
Jefferson discussed how his mindset is just to stay focused and lock in while he is on the field.
“I always try to be in control of everything, bad play, good play, just take it to the next play and be focused on attacking that play.”
Cats fans better hope Coach Stoops, Levis, and the media are right to believe in Jefferson, otherwise, it could be a rough start to a promising season.