It was always going to be difficult to break through the hangover of the loss to Georgia in just seven days. We should probably have seen the loss at Tennessee coming based on that fact, but it was still a frustrating defeat to a team that Kentucky has played better than in 2018. The Wildcats need to break out of their funk this Saturday as they host Middle Tennessee State with bowl seeding still very much on the line.
By Steve Wright
Here are the three keys:
Get the running game going
It feels weird to type this given that the Wildcats were basically playing Georgia for the SEC East title two weeks ago, but of all the games being played this weekend between an SEC school and lower competition, this is the one with the most obvious upset vibe.
The Kentucky running game seems to have stopped working at just the wrong time, with the Wildcats being stopped for less than 100 yards on the ground in four of the last five games. Benny Snell is running hard, but defenses are sticking nine in the box against Snell and Kentucky doesn’t have the passing game to keep anyone honest.
Middle Tennessee has given up just three rushing touchdowns over its last five games, suggesting that this one is going to be a slog (again) for Snell and the boys upfront.
Stop the Blue Raiders on the ground
Middle Tennessee has a veteran quarterback in Brent Stockstill that will move the ball through the air. He has hit on over 70-percent of his passes in four of his last five games and he is playing fantastic football right now.
What Kentucky has to do is shut down the Middle Tennessee running game and make Stockstill try to beat them with his arm. Kentucky is 7-0 when giving up 163 yards or fewer on the ground and 0-3 when they have given up more than that.
Given that the Blue Raiders average 140 yards per contest on the ground, this is a category that is in the Wildcats favor.
Win the turnover battle
This one might come down to a turnover or two. Middle Tennessee has not yet won a game this season when losing the turnover battle (going 0-3) but they are undefeated (7-0) when the margin is even or in their favor.
This doesn’t bode well for a Kentucky side that has been careless with the ball of late, giving it up eight times over its last four contests. If the Wildcats continue to be lose with the ball, and if Middle Tennessee is able to score points off of turnovers, then any advantage Kentucky has on the ground will be immediately negated.
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