The 2nd ranked and undefeated Alabama Crimson Tide football team welcomes another undefeated foe this weekend as the Kentucky Wildcats come to Tuscaloosa.
Kentucky (4-0), who probably has not received enough attention five weeks into the year, began the season with a surprising 27-2 win at Louisville in front of a national television audience in impressive fashion. Since then Kentucky has feasted on a directional school buffet with wins over Nofolk St., Middle Tennessee St., and Western Kentucky (this is the reason you have not heard much about UK this year).
Although they have not played a tough schedule thus far, UK has shown they can be a good team. Also a concern is a possible mental letdown from Alabama coming off a gigantic win last weekend at # 3 Georgia. Anytime you win a game that big and move to # 2 in the nation the risk of letting success go to your head is always there. Kentucky Head Coach Rich Brooks does not think that will happen.
"All I know is we've got to play them and what they've done the week before isn't a significant factor," Brooks said of Alabama. "The fact is they are the No. 2 team in the nation, they are undefeated and the closest game they've had is Tulane and they probably weren't as interested in that game as the others. Alabama has made a statement and is on a mission. We know Coach Saban is very good at keeping his team focused."
You are right Coach Brooks, it does seem Coach Saban is very good at that. As we were all celebrating the win last weekend Nick Saban was on every TV channel in America talking about how bad we played in the 2nd half. While he did finally admit he was very happy with the win you could tell Saban would make sure Alabama would be ready to go for this game.
Enough on that, now to some notes on Kentucky....
-First-year starter Mike Hartline has thrown for 633 yards this season and three touchdowns in his last two contests as he continues to improve.
"I am about as pleased as I can be for what he has done in his first four starts," Brooks said about Hartline. "He is throwing the ball more consistently than I felt he would."
A key to winning this game is stopping Hartline and his favorite target Dicky Lyons (have to respect a grown man who goes by Dicky). Our boy Dicky has 25 receptions, 189 yards, and a touchdown in the year.
Anyway you do not care about all this and I will not bore you with what Alabama can and can't do (cover punts and kickoffs) because if you are reading this you already know those things.
Bottom line: Alabama wins the game, but does not cover. Final score: 'Bama 24-14.
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