Around the League: What Happened in Kentucky’s Bye Week
^Notre Dame fans, probably.
Kentucky fans were thankful this week to have a Saturday without the Wildcats losing, but that’s not the only exciting part of the day in SEC football. Take a quick look at games ’round the league in between replays of basketball’s first win of the year.
#16 Florida Barely Escapes Louisiana-Lafayette
Will Muschamp and the Gators struggled against the upset-minded Ragin’ Cajuns, down 20-13 with less than two minutes left in the game. They scored a touchdown to tie it up, then got a miraculous touchdown off of a blocked punt. Gator fans haven’t been that excited for a last-second score since they got those digits right before leaving that Coyote Ugly bar in Ybor City. The Gators improve to a sloppy 9-1, but if Florida teaches us anything, it’s that sloppy doesn’t always mean bad.
#8 South Carolina Stiffens Defense Against Arkansas
The Cocks broke Arkansas’ spirit, and their SEC East streak, all in one game. The Razorbacks had been enjoying an 8-nothing run against teams from the East, but the Cocks were clearly hardened by previous defeats to LSU and Florida. We’ll see if they can keep it up next week against Wofford.
Cocks.
Derek Dooley and Tennessee Stay Missourible in Knoxville
Thankfully, Kentucky isn’t the only SEC East team still winless in league play. The Vols had a real shot in this one, taking it into quadruple overtime, but it’s easy to get demoralized when you give up a two-touchdown halftime lead. The teams traded touchdowns in the first three overtimes, but Tennessee’s failed conversion in the 4th OT let the Tigers kick for the win. The only downside to Tennessee losing this game is that they’ll probably get a new coach.
#15 A&M and Kingsbury Stun #1 Bama and Make Kentucky Fans Salivate
It’s pretty impressive how quickly the Aggies were able to recruit so much speed since joining the SEC over the summer. But boy was it on display as they ran up the score against the vaulted Saban defense in the first half. Few thought that Bama could be beat, especially after showing remarkable resilience last week against LSU, but assistant coach Kliff Kingsbury and the West’s newest addition made their case for biggest BCS buster of the year. Now be prepared to hear plenty of “I told you so’s” from both Big 12 fans and Tyler Montell, who predicted Kingsbury to be a great candidate for UK’s coaching vacancy. If he can beat Bama, he’s good enough for me.
(ongoing games, as of 9:30 pm)
Ole Miss-23, Vanderbilt-13
#21 MSU-17, #7 LSU-30
#5 Georgia-38, Auburn-0
15 Comments for Around the League: What Happened in Kentucky’s Bye Week
A&M looked good beating ‘Bama, but you knew there was a chance of that after seeing they couldn’t stop LSU’s short passing game last week. I wonder if the Big 12 pundits will forget home losses to both Florida and LSU this year. I really don’t think Bama can stop Oregon this year either.
#1… What twitter do you use?
Mitch needs to get in contact with Kliff Kingsbury immediately
I am so mad at Auburn and Tennessee, I hope Petrino says No to you, and comes to UK. Too bad for UL, not really, but instead of an A&M coach can we get their quarterback!!!
Anyone else see Tommy Tuberville rip the headset and hat off the head of one of his assistants? I immediately thought it was Neal Brown, but turns out it was a grad assistant.
I commented last weekend that Kliff Kingsbury is the person for the UK job. Played qb for Mike Leach at Texas Tech. Offensive coordinator coach of the year in 2010 at U. of Houston under Kevin Sumlin and now the oc at Texas A&M. Mitch surely will check out this rising up-and-comer.
Why would he leave for uk?
How exactly is the UK job superior to the A&M job? Why would Kingsbury want to come here?
10, 11- Kingsbury is just an assistant at A&M. There is a lot of appeal in getting that first HC position, especially if he can stay in the SEC.
10-every assistant wants a chance for a HC job, probably could get a better job though
Bama was right for the pickin after that tough lsu game last week. Still A&M is one tough team with only close losses to 2 top 10 teams keeping them from more attention. Was glad to see them win as the past couple years they have been losing those tough close games.
It’s amazing how Klingleberry designed all of those broken plays for Johnny football. Geez, be smart enough to figure out that you’re watching a once in a generation talent at qb.
12 — Totally agree. This guy Manziel is the REAL DEAL.
12) JM was a Rivals 3-star QB. #22 at his position. Was thought by many to be WR crossover.
I think the word is ‘vaunted’.