Monday Afternoon UK Football Links and Notes

Chip Cosby writes that the Cat's goals extend beyond a bowl. UK wants to move up in the SEC and also make it to the Outback or Chick-Fil-A Bowl. If UK wins both games they have a chance to do so. However, if UK wins one game, they are likely headed back to Music City Bowl. If UK loses the final two games, they are likely headed to the Independence Bowl. Before the season, I predicted UK to have eight regular season wins. It's will be a challenge, but it's not impossible.

Expectations have changed for UK, just ask Christian Johnson. Johnson remembers when the Cats became bowl eligible in 2006 and thought the team was on top of the world. Now, the Cats are hungry and want to move up in the SEC.

Athens Banner Herald Online writes that the running game has carried UK's offense this season. UK has ran the ball well and the offensive line has set the pace. UK needs to find some consistency with their passing game in order to find the perfect balance. During the Vanderbilt game, several people emailed and text me that UK's passing game was too lateral. I agree, that the Cats need to take some shots down field, but it seems the coaches are trying to manage the game as much as possible with a young quarterback.

Ricky Lumpkin knows he made the right decision to attend UK four years ago. Lumpkin looks at the number of bowl games the other schools have been to and knows he has already played in three and likely four now.

In case you missed it yesterday, Alex Smith (TE, Cincinnati, OH) has decommitted from the Bearcats. Smith attended UK for the Louisville game and is considering the Cats along with North Carolina and Wisconsin. Smith visited North Carolina this past weekend and is rumored to make a decision as early as today.

Make sure you check back later as I will have an update on the 2010 roster with commitments. Chuck Smith has stated that UK will likely sign 22 players. Currently, UK has 67 returning scholarship players and 16 commitments. The NCAA maximum is 85 scholarship players. Could some players be transferring? Are there grade issues? Is the coaching staff signing kids that would grey shirt? There is a lot to consider.