Wildcats: Better Balance

The 2010 Kentucky Wildcats will feature a brand of football that has not been seen in a few years. UK has the potential to be solid on offensive. Over the last few years the Cats have relied on defense to help an offense that appeared anemic in key stretches. Most UK fans could only dream of placing the 2008 defenses with the 2007 offense. Well this year neither side should be as good as their counterparts in years past, but the two sides should be better balanced. A defense that should be able to hold its own and an offense that should be able to move the ball much better this season. The coaching staff will look for this balance in order to have a chance in league play.

The Cats will have pressure as Sports Illustrated picked them to finish in a second place tie with Georgia in the SEC East. This result would be celebrated in the bluegrass with the same manner that a college football super power would celebrate a national championship. There is no doubt that the fan base is hungry for a great finish, but something is different this year. With the better balance UK could have a shot at this result. During the high times of the Rich Brooks era UK was not able to get both sides of the ball to imitate one another; either the offense was good and the defense was lacking, or vice versa.  But Coach Phillips will enjoy this luxury in season one.

For starters the quarterback position should be the best it has been since the days of Woodson. With running backs like Locke and the sensational play maker Cobb. The skill positions on UK’s offense have the potential to compete in the SEC. The line is a bit undersized and will be at a disadvantage, but the skill players should be good enough to keep the opposing SEC defenses honest.

The defense may no longer have the star power it has had in the past few years, but the differences between the first team and second team will be much closer than years past. And being able to replace a player with near equal ability is key in college football. For years UK had the players to compete in the SEC with its starters, but fell off when players further in the depth chart was called upon. But given UK has improved much in recruiting under Rich Brooks, this problem is starting to be resolved. Granted that the balance between the First squad and Second squads are closing, and the defense and offense should be well balanced a possible second place finish is a reachable goal.