Tag Archive for: Kentucky Wildcats

Week 2 College Football Preview

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Week 2 of the 2022 college football season is finally here. Here are the top three college football previews and games you need to watch this week.

Alabama vs. Texas preview

#1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Texas Longhorns. 12 P.M. EST, FOX

  • Line: Alabama -20, o/u: 61.5

Alabama week 2 college football preview

This is a fully-focused Alabama team that lost a slew of star parts, and yet still ran for 278 yards last week and threw for 281 yards.

The offensive line has been worked on and tweaked to be better in pass protection. This allows Bryce Young time to to spread it around more.

The only noteworthy thing the Crimson Tide have to worry about is the notorious “horns down” penalty that Nick Saban did not even know existed.

You think Alabama is going to flinch for an instant when Texas connects on a 78-yard touchdown pass?

Texas week 2 college football preview

This will be the biggest week 2 college football game. Texas has the guys to at least hang with Bama at home, but they need a good start and to believe they really can do this

Steve Sarkisian and the coaching staff have settled in, there’s a healthy Bijan Robinson in the backfield, Quinn Ewers – at least prospect-wise – is as promising as any quarterback in the country. You’re not crazy to hype Xavier Worthy among the best wide receivers in college football, either.

How will the Longhorns react if Will Anderson Jr. sacks Ewers twice on the first drive? What happens when the Crimson Tide stops Bijan Robinson and the run?

Prediction

Alabama 45, Texas 27

Tennessee vs. Pittsburgh preview

#24 Tennessee Volunteers v Pittsburgh Panthers. 3:30 P.M. EST, ABC

  • Line: Tennessee -6.5, o/u: 66

Tennessee week 2 college football preview

The Tennessee offense is going to go off. The Vols’ offense looks as potent as ever, scoring 59 points in the season opener against Ball State. Hendon Hooker has a plethora of help.

Four of last year’s offensive line starters are back, but that unit allowed an SEC-worst 44 sacks last season. How effective this Vols offense can be is dependent on the guys up front.

Tennessee didn’t have a sack in last week’s game, and only had two tackles for loss. Linebacker Jeremy Banks will be looked upon to create some negative plays, as will defensive end Byron Young.

Pittsburgh week 2 college football preview

The running game was held in check, but Kedon Slovis had a terrific debut, throwing for over 300 yards. Now he gets to throw on a Tennessee secondary that struggled last season.

The Vols secondary has some experience in Trevon Flowers and Jaylen McCollough, but they were also a big reason why the Vols’ pass defense struggled in 2021. Slovis needs to feast on them.

Pitt finished third in the nation in sacks last fall, and their top havoc producers, Calijah Kancey and Habakkuk Baldonado, are still around to cause problems. If the Panthers D can create chaos and force three-and-outs, the Vols’ defense can expect to be on the field for much of the game.

Prediction

Tennessee 44, Pittsburgh 38

Kentucky vs. Florida preview

#20 Kentucky Wildcats at #12 Florida Gators. 7:30 P.M. EST, ESPN

  • Line: Florida -5, o/u: 52

Kentucky week 2 college football preview

The offense has a mayo-loving pro prospect of its own in quarterback Will Levis, coming off a 303-yard performance. He’ll keep pushing a Gator secondary that had issues with the Utah passing game late last week.

With only one starter returning, along with Auburn transfer Tashawn Manning, the Wildcats return only 45 career starts. Kentucky’s “Big Blue Wall” is young, inexperienced, and a work-in-progress.

Offensive coordinator Rick Scangarello will want to get Tayvion Robinson, who was marvelous in his Kentucky debut (6 receptions, 136 yards), the ball early and often on Saturday night.

Kentucky is also very deep at linebacker; it’s been an area of strength in Stoops’ recruiting operation. This means the Wildcats are less likely to tire late compared to Utah. If Kentucky wins, it’ll be likely because it won this battle.

Florida Gators week 2 college football preview

Led by quarterback Anthony Richardson, the Gators piled on 283 ground yards and four TDs, while averaging over seven yards per touch against a very good, and physical, team last week.

The Gators have plenty of talent up front, and start multiple five-star players on the defensive line. Still, Florida surrendered over 200 yards rushing to Utah last Saturday and was too often pushed back easily at the point of attack.

Kentucky’s top running backs are out, one with a suspension and another with an injury, so the Gators may get a break in the running game. But they still have to deal with Will Levis and his strong arm. Jason Marshall Jr. will have to keep up with Tayvion Robinson.

Anthony Richardson will be contained by the Wildcats defense, he will have to rely on his arm more than his legs. It needs to be the next step in his development in week 2 of college football.

Prediction

Florida 27, Kentucky 24

 

***This article was originally published on the ATB Network by Hussam Patel***

 

Hussam Patel is a Miami Dolphins contributor and Lead NFL Draft analyst at Five Reasons Sports Network, Director of Scouting at PhinManiacs and Editor at Dolphins ATB. Follow him on Twitter at @HussamPatel

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Kentucky Wildcats All Over Miami Heat’s Draft Board Once Again

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It’s absolutely no surprise that Miami will be giving a Kentucky guy a look with the 20th pick. But this year, they have multiple Kentucky options.

For starters, there is optimism that Tyrese Maxey could potentially fall to Miami at 20, but ultimately there’s a good chance somebody grabs him earlier.

I’ve discussed why Tyrese Maxey makes sense for this Heat team, mostly due to the fact that he’s a talented two-way player.

Tyrese had a Pro Day on ESPN 2 on Thursday night, which Coach John Calipari spoke about him possibly getting overlooked like past Kentucky players. I think other teams recognize that, and if they do make yet another draft mistake, Pat Riley will be waiting to make that selection.

Greg Sylvander reported that the Miami Heat interviewed another Kentucky guard Immanuel Quickley.

His offensive package actually reminds me a lot of Tyler Herro’s game. Many have talked about his ability to play off the ball as a catch and shoot guy, like they said about Herro, but ultimately I believe he will emerge into more than that. He showed this past season that he’s pretty comfortable shooting shots off the dribble.

It would be an interesting back-court in Miami for the future. If they were to make this selection, it would definitely mean that they plan on making Tyler Herro the team’s point guard going forward, since ball-handling isn’t Quickley’s best attribute.

He also is another player who can be trusted on the defensive side of the ball. That hasn’t always been the case for Immanuel Quickley, but he really grew on that side of the ball this past season which showcases his work ethic.

He also has a close relationship with Tyler Herro, since they played together in college. He clearly fits the mold of a guy that Miami will consider in this draft.

Another name that I believe could get a look is Ashton Hagans. And what do you know, another Kentucky Wildcat.

His game definitely differs from Immanuel Quickley’s game, but they still both could fit this Heat team.

Hagans is a true point guard, who has good size and an outstanding ability to pass the ball. His shooting definitely isn’t his best attribute like Quickley, but he still has a pretty decent jumper that is evolving. He also has a great ability to get to the basket, and is most comfortable when he gets in transition.

His defense has also shown to be pretty dominant at Kentucky, but mostly off the ball when going for steals and things of that nature.

All three of these guys are 6’3 guards coming out of Kentucky the same year. Although those similarities are clear, they all have their own strengths that can all help this team right now.

If there was ever a year for Miami to draft a Kentucky Wildcat, it would be this year with all of these intriguing options.

Two Possible Miami Heat Draft Selections

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The NBA Draft process is clearly going to be different this year due to the unique circumstances, but it may benefit the Miami Heat.

Since Free Agency opens up before the draft, this allows them to try and make their moves, and they can fill holes in the draft afterward. And this is also predicated on Miami keeping the 20th pick in the draft, since it’s very possible that they trade it.

But if they do elect to keep their pick, it seems as if their two options are a defensive guard and a true big man.

If Miami grabs a big man in free agency, that means that they will go for the defensive guard, which I believe Tyrese Maxey will be at the top of that list.

He’s a great on-ball defender with a ton of speed and great at attacking the basket. It’s very clear that Miami could use a speedy defender to take on some of these guard match-ups, and he’s shown that he can be that guy. He also brings intensity on that end of the floor, which I’m sure has caught the eye of some people in the Miami Heat organization.

He’s also a very clever play-maker, especially when gets out onto the open floor. Usually when speedy guys at his age get onto the open floor, they’re not good decision makers. But, Tyrese has shown that he is, which is pretty impressive for a guy at his age.

And he’s just a natural scorer. He has shown throughout this past season that he’s very comfortable with the ball in his hands when trying to make a play. He can score at all three levels as well, which makes him very intriguing.

But, the only issue I see with this pick is that he’s not a true point guard. And since Miami has their future 2 guard in Tyler Herro, that position isn’t available. I do believe though that he has the ability to become a point guard if he came to Miami, since he already has the play-making down.

Another issue that people mention is that he’s a streaky scorer. While that may be partly true, that was what people said about Tyler Herro when he entered the draft, which is why I don’t believe that to be important. And he has very fluid shot mechanics, which is another reason this is not a huge issue.

And by the way, he’s a Kentucky Wildcat. That should tell you automatically that he will be a guy they’re looking at.

I do believe that if Tyrese Maxey is still on the board among the rest of the guards, Miami will take him. But what about if they need a big man?

There are a ton of big men in this draft class, especially late, but the only issue is that most of them are all undersized. And that’s exactly what Miami doesn’t need.

That is why I believe that Miami could make another unexpected pick and take Vernon Carey Jr.

And even Vernon Carey Jr is undersized for the center position, but his big frame allows him to play much bigger than 6’10.

He has a lot of the things that Miami needs in a big man. He plays very physical and thrives when he puts his back to the basket, due to his solid footwork in the post. Miami definitely needs a true big, which is why I believe he’s the guy that can absolutely develop in Miami’s system.

He’s a solid rebounder as well, mostly because he’s very crafty at boxing out opponents and getting position. This is another thing Miami could use, since they need a big that can rebound. He may not be the most elite rim protector, but his outstanding anticipation allows him to get blocks at the rim.

When people discuss Vernon Carey Jr’s downfall, it usually has something to do with his weight, since there’s questions about durability. Well, what better place to come to when trying to fix that, since they will get him in Miami Heat shape in no time.

He also has a bunch of ties to South Florida since that’s where he grew up and went to high school, which is another reason I know Miami has eyes on him.

Obviously there’s still uncertainty if Miami will elect to keep this 20th pick, but if they do, I believe that these two will be at the top of their list based off need.

A Kentucky Wildcat and a Duke Blue Devil at the top of Pat Riley’s list.

Well, that’s interesting.