What simply occurred right here? Kentucky soccer went from whispers of being ESPN “School GameDay” hosts for the primary time since 2007 for Saturday’s recreation towards No. 1 Georgia to questioning if a bowl recreation will be salvaged.
South Carolina’s 31-6 beatdown of UK not solely snatched faculty soccer’s No. 1 pregame present from Lexington — the published will now head to Columbia, South Carolina, the place the Gamecocks are internet hosting LSU — nevertheless it put coach Mark Stoops’ bowl streak of eight consecutive journeys in jeopardy.
It could sound a bit drastic to say, however examine the schedule.
Stoops has.
And he sees it affected by top-ranked groups.
“We get the chance to play 4 of the highest (seven) within the coming weeks,” mentioned Stoops earlier than sarcastically including, “So, that’s a pleasure.”
The Related Press Prime 25 and US LBM Coaches Ballot each have UGA on the prime and Ole Miss at No. 5. That they had completely different opinions on Texas (No. 2 AP, No. 3 coaches) and Tennessee (No. 7, No. 9), however that also provides as much as 4 video games UK gained’t be anticipated to win.
Other than the Bulldogs being at Kroger Subject, the Cats play their hardest video games on the highway earlier than internet hosting Louisville within the season finale.
From what these 4 groups have proven up to now this season, they’ve the power to not simply beat the Cats, however embarrass them. Georgia (vs. Clemson) and Tennessee (vs. N.C. State) already posted 31-point wins towards ranked opponents.
Texas gained at Michigan, 31-12, in a recreation that wasn’t as shut because the rating might sound. Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin isn’t identified for alleviating up when the sport is in hand, as indicated by the Rebels’ 76-0 win over Furman final week.
That’s no bueno for a UK squad looking for one thing to construct upon after sputtering out simply 183 yards in complete offense towards the Gamecocks. (Even Outdated Dominion rolled up 305 yards in its season-opening loss at South Carolina.)
The Cats rank 129th out of 133 Division I Soccer Bowl Subdivision groups in passing offense, averaging simply 106.5 yards per recreation. A few of that is because of their win over Southern Miss being known as with 10 minutes left within the third quarter due to inclement climate.
However UGA switch Brock Vandergriff going simply 3-for-10 for 30 yards towards the Gamecocks didn’t assist both.
UK will in all probability be favored in solely 4 remaining video games, all of that are at residence: Ohio, Vanderbilt, Auburn and Murray State.
That leaves two video games: at Florida and the Playing cards at residence.
The Gators might conceivably be looking for a brand new head coach by the point the 2 groups face off on Oct. 19. There’s no hotter seat proper now in America than Billy Napier’s.
The Cats have gained 4 of their final 5 conferences towards Florida, in order that’s going of their favor.
UK has additionally gained 5 straight towards U of L, however must break a present development to proceed its streak. Since renewing the U of L rivalry in 1994, neither faculty has ever gained six straight. The Playing cards gained 5 in a row from 2011 to 2015.
The loss to South Carolina makes it tough to make any assumptions about how the Cats will play, who they need to be favored towards and the way they may be capable of attain six wins for bowl eligibility.
UK misplaced to a foul staff.
At residence.
And performed poorly.
“We didn’t execute excellent, we didn’t play very disciplined, we didn’t play successful soccer in any respect,” Stoops mentioned.
The Cats need to determine it out quick within the face of an unforgiving schedule or they will be sitting at residence throughout bowl season.
This text initially appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky soccer bowl streak underneath Mark Stoops in jeopardy after loss
