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Topic: Cats talent should get us a victory tomorrow
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catmandoo
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Member # 1284
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posted 08-29-2014 08:59 AM
The Cats should be a lot better than last year and should win today's game handily but we still aren't ready for many SEC wins. If we win 2 SEC games this year it would be a start and show we are starting to turn the corner.
While the overall talent at UT-Martin will not match that of Kentucky, there is at least one player on the Skyhawks that has Southeastern Conference-caliber talent.
Senior linebacker Tony Bell is one of 20 players nationally on the Preseason Buck Buchanan Award Watch List after earning multiple All-American honors a year ago. Bell had 80 tackles, an Ohio Valley Conference-best 15 tackles-for-loss and 10.5 sacks, last year and was named National Defensive Player of the Week twice during the season.
“They have a great defensive player, No. 40, the linebacker (Bell), an exceptional player. He’s a really good football player. He can play anywhere in the country. Really like the way he plays,” Stoops said.
“He’s a great linebacker, but he’s a great pass‑rusher as well. Like Bud (Dupree) in that area. Bud is an outside backer, obviously much bigger. But he’s like Bud in that he’s comfortable on his feet, got great instincts, he’s an extremely good pass‑rusher. He’s a mismatch for some people on the edge.”
UT-Martin was picked fifth in the OVC preseason poll and enters the ninth season under head coach Jason Simpson, who is now the longest tenured active coach in the league. Simpson has won 48 OVC games in his first eight years with the program — prior to his arrival UTM had managed just 37 total OVC wins in the previous 14 years (under five different head coaches).
Stoops said he does not know Simpson, but has been impressed by what he has seen. Last year the Skyhawks finished 7-5 with a two-quarterback system that featured now junior Jarod Neal and senior Dylan Favre. The duo combined for 2,610 passing yards and 18 touchdowns last season. They also have four returning offensive line starters, including senior Charles Sweeton who was a preseason All-OVC selection.
“UT-Martin is a good football team, well‑coached team. Four returning starters on the offensive line. We’ll have our hands full. We’re anxious to get out there and see how we can play,” Stoops said of Saturday’s season opener. “They’re very multiple on both sides of the ball, can do a lot of things. You got to be prepared for a lot, which is good for us to spend that time getting ready for a variety of offensive or defensive schemes.
Link
[ 08-29-2014, 09:21 AM: Message edited by: catmandoo ]
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Posts: 186359 | From: st. augustine florida 32092 | Registered: Mar 2001
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Green-Bean
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Member # 13551
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posted 08-29-2014 10:52 AM
ut martin is no pushover, they have speed,and are well coached. they have a pretty good defense.i don't think we will run over top of them the way some think, we have a lot of positions that are not proven.
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I was Born A Wildcat!
That's All I'll Ever Be!
Posts: 2290 | From: Newport Ky. | Registered: Mar 2014
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catmandoo
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Member # 1284
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posted 08-29-2014 12:18 PM
G-B, didn't need to hear that. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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Posts: 186359 | From: st. augustine florida 32092 | Registered: Mar 2001
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boomdaddy
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Member # 2644
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posted 08-29-2014 12:48 PM
I am expecting UK's offense to be more like Texas Tech's offense and for UK's defense to take step forward,as Stoops has a record of doing everywhere he has been.
I am looking for UK to win by 35 or more.
Posts: 8791 | From: paris, ky | Registered: Mar 2006
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catmandoo
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posted 08-29-2014 01:27 PM
That's what I like to hear now all we have to do is to go do it. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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Green-Bean
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posted 08-29-2014 02:43 PM
I didn't mean to be negative its just we are not proven especially at QB, I think we will win the game, our running game will be big for us all year, our defensive ends are sec caliber, I guess im saying I really don't know what to expect, that's what makes it fun. cant wait.
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I was Born A Wildcat!
That's All I'll Ever Be!
Posts: 2290 | From: Newport Ky. | Registered: Mar 2014
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boomdaddy
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posted 08-29-2014 03:28 PM
Yes, UK has to get better production from the QB. From what we saw during the spring game, I believe QB will be much improved. As for receivers, UK is counting heavy on young players and a few Jucos on their second year.
Regardless of how good the competition is for this game, we will get to see if the offense can execute at a fast pace and look polished. I was disappointed in the offensive production, last season. The coaches have been hinting that they are much improved. Go Cats!
Posts: 8791 | From: paris, ky | Registered: Mar 2006
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