Cats Preparing for Challenge, Opportunity at No. 3 Tennessee

After its bye week, No. 19 Kentucky returns to motion on Saturday, going through the staff that has in all probability generated essentially the most buzz of any staff within the nation this season, the third-ranked Tennessee Volunteers.

The Vols lead the nation in scoring offense, averaging a whopping 50.1 factors per recreation. Tennessee additionally leads the nation in complete offense, averaging 571.7 yards per contest.

On Monday, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops mentioned that he and his staff are embracing the problem forward of them this week.

“Very excited in regards to the alternative we’ve this week to go play an especially good Tennessee staff that’s completely enjoying on hearth proper now,” Stoops mentioned. “Offensively, enjoying at a really excessive stage proper now. With their tempo, their expertise, the best way they’re enjoying at quarterback – throughout the board. Extraordinarily arduous to defend and enjoying extraordinarily properly. An enormous problem forward of us.”

Whereas the problem is actually there, so is the chance to do one thing particular.

“Any time you play top-ranked groups, nice venue, SEC recreation in opposition to a top-three staff within the nation. Massive recreation. Massive alternative,” Stoops mentioned. “We’ve got to embrace that problem.”

The Cats their bye week engaged on Tennessee but in addition performing some self-reflection.

“It’s important to take have a look at each (your self and your subsequent opponent) in the course of the off week,” Stoops mentioned. “It’s important to study your self. It’s the one time you could have just a bit little bit of time to take have a look at your self. Consider the stuff you’re doing properly and attempt to proceed to function that. After which areas the place you’re falling brief, how do you get that fastened and why are you falling brief.”

Stoops is aware of that his staff wanted the off week.

“The bye hopefully got here at time for us,” Stoops mentioned. “We performed an excellent recreation the final time we performed however we wanted a while to heal. The gamers wanted a while to heal up somewhat bit and getting our legs up beneath us to play a staff that’s as quick as Tennessee is in all areas.”

Kentucky will counter the UT offensive assault with its protection, which is ninth within the nation in scoring protection, permitting simply 16.4 factors per recreation, and 14^th within the nation in complete protection, surrendering 295.4 yards per outing. The Cats additionally hope that going through high-tempo Ole Miss earlier this season might be useful.

“It positively offers us some prep,” Stoops mentioned. “Simply getting our toes up beneath us and attempt to work at that tempo. It’s virtually unimaginable on your scout staff to simulate something as quick as they do or execute like they do.”

Stoops and the Cats have a problem forward of them and the UK head coach is aware of that his staff must rise to the event.

“It’s human nature, while you’re enjoying a staff that’s enjoying this properly, you higher play at a excessive clip otherwise you’ll get embarrassed,” Stoops mentioned. “They’re scoring factors on all people. If you’re enjoying the primary offense within the nation, you higher be locked in.”

Stoops is aware of there’s a formulation for fulfillment in opposition to a staff like Tennessee. It entails either side of the ball.

“You will have to have the ability to capitalize, you’ve acquired to have the ability to make huge stops when you must,” Stoops mentioned of his protection. “As a result of in the end, this staff goes to go quick they usually’re going to maneuver the soccer. It’s important to attempt to get some stops.”

And on offense, the Cats additionally should produce.

“Shifting the ball is vital. Third down effectivity is vital,” Stoops mentioned. “Possessing the soccer, it does restrict the alternatives (for Tennessee).”

The Cats face an enormous problem this weekend in Knoxville. However that additionally means the Cats have an excellent alternative to do one thing particular.