Preview Ole Miss Game #5

Games #5 through #9 are the most critical for this year's Kentucky Wildcat Football team. This stretch of the schedule comes after the Florida game and are basically with teams that the CATS really have a shot at winning. The foes for this run are formidible and the success or failure for the '10 season lies here.

This stretch of the season opens with UK visiting the Grove to take on the Ole Miss Rebels which come into the '10 season ranked at the same spot in the SEC West that the CATS are ranked in the SEC East (#5).

Nutt and Company return only 3 starters from an underachieving Offense from last year's team! Houston, we have a problem! These 3 returning players, all Offensive linemen will serve as the bedrock for this years team. The O-line had better gel quickly since there are no starting skill position players returning, and the interior of the line has no depth.

Also, Gone is Javon Snead and his 20 INTS, enter Sophomore QB Nathan Stanley with very limited playing experience. Brandon Bolding (614 yards rushing in 09) looks to be the starting RB, with other skill positions completely up in the air.

The Defense should be extremely solid with 6 starters returning from last years unit. The strength of the Defense looks to be the D-line (3 returning starters) and the Linebackers with 2 returning starters. The weakness of the defense looks to be the DBs and passing defense. If the front 4 can generate lots of pressure on the QB (they had 36 sacks in 09) that would go a long way to settling down the secondary for the long season ahead.

When the CATS travel to Oxford, look for a low scoring affair, unless UK gets the kinks out of the passing game. UK should come away with a Victory whatever happens. At this point in the season, Cobb and Company will have a chip on their shoulders (after the Florida game) for the rest of the year.

Why the Cats will win: The Cats will win a low scoring affair due to their depth at the skill positions and QB play. Look for the game to be decided late in the game and the CATS keeping the Rebels off balance using various formations and play action.