I know what you’re saying, yet another team that falls into one of three categories: a.) good, although obscure mid-major program,
b.) BcS conference team that has fallen from grace
c.) college basketball powerhouse where college football is an overlooked afterthought. Obviously the Kentucky Wildcats fall into that final category. (But they are an official TSB team now)
But that’s what the 70s, 60s, and 50s are in the 77 in 77s. So when will we get some “real” teams, and programs lots and lots of people care about?
Probably in about 15 days or so; which is good because I’d like to move closer to the higher page view generating teams as quickly as possible. Cuz it also means we’re getting ever so closer to the season kicking off.
Kentucky is underrated though; they’ve made five straight bowls and Joker Phillips could guide them to a sixth this year. And he has the coolest coaches name of all
2010 was: GREAT…in the non-confernce. AWFUL in SEC play. This year should be more of the same. The Wildcats had a ton of skill position stars, but they have now moved on. They don’t seem to have any obvious answers at WR, but Morgan Newton could be the real deal in answering the QB bell.
BMOCs: The offensive line, led by Guards Stuart Hines and Larry Warford, Newton obviously, LB Danny Trevathan, a NFL prospect who returns after leading the SEC in tackles
2011 will be fruitful if: the defense goes from decent/serviceable to oustanding. They’ll need to carry the load early while the skill guys on O get established. The run defense was absolutely atrocious last year, and it’s usually bad in Lexington year after year. Obviously, improvement there is key to this season. It starts with sophomore DT Mister Cobble. Even if he wasn’t extremely relevant to this team’s success, I’d still find a way to work his name into this preview because it’s such a fun name to type. Imagine a sentence with both Joker Phillips and Mister Cobble! Randall Burden and Martavious Neloms are also two fun names to say; they’re returning corners who will be required to show leadership in a secondary with many questions.
2011 will be awful if: La’Rod King isn’t the go-to pass catcher they think he could be. If Newton struggles, stud recruit Maxwell Smith is waiting in the wings. Also crucial is how the defense reacts to the newly installed schemes of new coordinator Rick Minter. They will feature a lot of switches between 3-4, 4-3 and 4-2-5. But the personnel should remain the same.
Bottom Line: Probably another ho-hum, but not entirely exciteable season that keeps you adequately engaged/distracted until Kentucky Wildcats hoops season begins. They’ll win a couple league games, but they’ll lose a few more. There are plenty of questions, especially on offense.
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#71 Ole Miss Rebels
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports You can follow him on Twitter
