Kentucky linebacker Jacquez Jones earned national honors for his play against Florida and hopes to help UK beat LSU Saturday. (UK Athletics Photo)
According to Mark Stoops, LSU and coach Oregon “always have a great football team with tons of talent.” The Kentucky coach said LSU, which plays at UK Saturday night, is a good team with “weapons all over the field” on offense and defense.
“It’s always that way. They have guys at every level that can certainly hurt you. Defensively, you look at their guys up front, you look at a linebacker that could absolutely fly, and then they always have guys that can cover,” Stoops said Monday. “As far as their offense, again, weapons, certainly starting with Kayshon Boutte. He could hurt you at any given time, and they have plenty of guys around them.”
Yet despite that praise from Stoops, it is Kentucky that is 5-0, ranked 16th, and a slight favorite going into the SEC matchup. LSU is 3-2 after a home loss to Auburn where it blew a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter. Also remember that LSU was only 5-5 in 2020.
Many national analysts, including SEC Network guru Paul Finebaum think Oregon could be in real trouble despite his recent national championship. LSU has off-field issues — two-star players, cornerback Kelvin Joseph and offensive tackle Dare Rosenthal transferred to UK. Joseph is now with the Dallas Cowboys and Rosenthal is expected to be a 2022 NFL draft pick.
Oregon, unlike some coaches, is not blaming anyone but himself for LSU’s woes.
“Ultimately I’m responsible for the performance of this team,” Orgeron said at his press conference Monday. “I’ve always been responsible and I always will be, first and foremost. I want to get that point across.
“I think it’s clear when things go wrong, obviously I get asked questions and it may sound like I’m trying to point the finger. As you know me, that’s not me, I’m going to take full responsibility for everything that happens in this program. That’s just the way it’s going to be.”
Florida had eight false start penalties at Kroger Field Saturday when UK won 20-13. LSU had its own pre-snap issues in the loss to Auburn and had to abandon the fast tempo it had been playing with the two previous games.
“Things we need to fix on offense, pre-snap process, our run game, red zone. Very disappointed in our performance in the red zone,” Orgeron said. “On defense obviously the containment of the quarterback, rush lanes and how to tackle a quarterback. When we’re chasing the quarterback, we have to stay in coverage. We call that plaster, we gotta work on that.”
LSU should be a desperate team against Kentucky, especially if it wants Orgeron to keep his job.
After playing UK, LSU has to host No. 20 Florida and then got to No. 17 LSU. The Tigers also have a game with No. 1 Alabama later this season. That’s why some disgruntled LSU fans fear a 6-6 season could be coming.
Stoops said there is no “odd dynamic” between him and Orgeron and they mainly just see each other at conference or coaches meetings.
“I have a lot of respect for Coach O and his players and his program and I would say that we have the type of relationship where we are cordial or professional when we see each other at the meetings and such,” Stoops said.
2 Responses
Saturday will be a huge test for the Cats. LSU QB Johnson is a gun slinger and will test KY’s defensive mid section. Defending 13 to 16 yards down field is not our strength. That will allow LSU to establish game rhythm. Gotta find a way to keep them at 3rd and long. Secondly, we’re going to have to outscore them which means no turnovers. I think the game will rest on CRod’s shoulders. Long drives and success in the red zone will keep LSU and Johnson off the field.
LSU will come into Lexington breathing fire, especially after the Auburn loss. UK has to match their intensity and take care of business. Time to forget about the historic win against Mullen’s finest, and get to 6-0. My money is on the UK defense to once again rise to the occasion. The UK offense is frail, with the exception of the big play maker wearing No. 1 for the Blue and White. Levis has to "pick it up" big time, and some young and talented UK receivers have to get with the program and hall in some passes down field due to injuries to starters. Coen has to come up with a game plan that moves the chains, and that plan should involve C Rod running the football…… a lot! Make LSU stop the run first.