This could be a tough game. UK's opponent, Central Mich is a real Div one team with better players than CSU by a long shot so they got a better challenge in their tuneup.
UK played sloppy in the first half with multiple turnovers which kept it close, but seemed to knock off the rust and played a lot better in the second half with their play-makers stepping up.
They rushed for around 300 yards in this game and had good production and 2 rushing TD's from Benny Snell as expected, (even though he was reportedly ill before the game). But the surprise was RS Frosh AJ Rose was as productive having a big game going over 100 yards and also 2 rushing TDs so they look to have a legitimate 1-2 punch that is going to challenge our line and LB's. Run support is going to be critical for our DB and we can't afford the 2 hand touch tackle techniques we saw last year.
UK seems a little unsettled at QB with starter Terry Wilson getting a minor injury in the first half giving backup Gunnar Hoak a chance to lead the Cats to a TD at the end of the 2nd Q taking the lead before half. Hoak got more time in the second half even though Wilson was ready. Wilson finished the game and neither did a whole lot, but Hoak probably played better overall. Freshman Wideout David Bouvier was the most effective receiver scoring the only TD of the passing game and returned punts effectively and looks pretty dangerous in that role.
Their defense actually played well but were put in a bad place with the offense turning the ball over repeatedly on their side of the field. There was also a helmet to helmet call that gave CMU a very short field. This is pretty much the same defense that pushed our O-Line around all day long last year and they are are expected to be better this year with another year of experience and training.
I expect we win, but this could easily be an even game in the 4th Q and I doubt some of your score predictions are realistic, but I hope you are right. This defense will put a lot more pressure on our O-Line and FF, and this running game is one of the better we will face this year so our D better be ready.
Ohh, they also averaged 50 yds a punt and didn't attempt any FG's.
We will learn a lot more from this game. If it is close I don't think that is going to be a condemnation of our team but rather this is a decent SEC team we are going to face and if we make enough mistakes they are good enough to capitalize and break the streak.
UF 37-UK-28