If Bowling Green wins by less than 21 I will consider myself shocked. Maybe not 38, but I'm expecting a 3-4 TD margin.

 

What BG did to Manual in their scrimmage was FILTHY.

Last years tale of the tape:

 

Score: 35 - 21

 

First downs: LC - 15, BC - 16

First downs by penalty: LC - 0, BC - 4

 

Yards Rushing: LC - 42, BC - 107

Yards Passing: LC - 163, BC - 164

Penalties / yards: LC - 13-139, BC - 4-27

Interceptions: LC - 1, BC - 3

TOP: LC - 23:43, BC - 24:17

 

Without the lopsided penalties and turnovers this was a highly competitive game. But giving away 4 first downs on penalties and 3 interceptions digs a big hole.

 

The Knights like being the 'big play' team. And they got off to a good start with an interception on the first play. But they got undisciplined and the Purples out-big-played them with long scores and a fast secondary that notched a 74 yard INT return for a TD and 2 other interceptions.

 

Bowling Green probably presented most team speed to the Knights last year than any other team and it showed.

I think this would be a fun game to see week 1, but I just think BG is too talented for many of the teams on their schedule (not taking into consideration the TN, because I'm not too familiar with them). At the end of the day, I think BG will have just a little too much talent and as Bluegrasscard pointed, a little too much team speed for the Knights.

 

Bowling Green - 38

Lexington Cath - 21

If BG wins this game huge you may as well begin to call me PurplePride#1Fan.

 

 

Just saying.....

 

Wow 92, I thought you were on the Highlands bandwagon (you have the Hat) :lol2:

Lets see, where have I heard the # 1 thing? Ok, I know, UK#1 fan that's it!!! coincidence? J/K :lol:

Last years tale of the tape:

 

Score: 35 - 21

 

First downs: LC - 15, BC - 16

First downs by penalty: LC - 0, BC - 4

 

Yards Rushing: LC - 42, BC - 107

Yards Passing: LC - 163, BC - 164

Penalties / yards: LC - 13-139, BC - 4-27

Interceptions: LC - 1, BC - 3

TOP: LC - 23:43, BC - 24:17

 

Without the lopsided penalties and turnovers this was a highly competitive game. But giving away 4 first downs on penalties and 3 interceptions digs a big hole.

 

The Knights like being the 'big play' team. And they got off to a good start with an interception on the first play. But they got undisciplined and the Purples out-big-played them with long scores and a fast secondary that notched a 74 yard INT return for a TD and 2 other interceptions.

 

Bowling Green probably presented most team speed to the Knights last year than any other team and it showed.

 

Most Purples fans expect this years team to be much better than last year. I was surprised they ran the table again last year. I won't be surprised if they do it this year.

There should be some head twisting (I mean turning) moments in the game.

 

The seniors have never lost. They went undefeated in 7th, 8th, freshman, JV, and varsity. The varsity lost a couple of games, when they were freshman, but they didn't start. Heck, Nacarius Fant's team went undefeated and won the Toy Bowl (6th grade champs). These guys don't know much about losing.

 

Actually, they lost as Freshmen to Owensboro who they played twice that year. They exacted their revenge in the second go round.

I do agree I am a bit bias (I like the Purple Color glasses reference) to the Purples. It may (or may not) be a closer game. I just know it is going to be very few games where the Purples do not score a ton of points. I think they will break the season total record for points scored; meaning lots of points scored every night. I know it is bias but to me 14 points per quarter will be a constant through out the season.

 

Next season I think my thoughts and the Purple team will come back to reality. However, this season should be very special.

BTW, Lincoln Quick did play in the FBU All-American Bowl in 2010 as an eighth grader.

 

http://kymsfa.digitalsports.com/2010/01/09/2010-fbu-allamerican-bowl-watch-our-kentucky-players-coaches-jan-10th/

 

The Knights have had to rebuild much of the secondary coming into this season with loss of 3 year starters like Anthony Kersey (had the interception on the first play from scrimmage last year) and the Alex and Casey Nash. Ballard's tall, speedy wide-outs were troublesome in the scrimmage and Quick, Tisdale and the Purples other high power talent will be more than a handful. Two important players in that secondary sat out the scrimmage - sophomore Sam Letton and junior Braxton Couch. They should be ready to go Saturday. But even so, stopping the big plays will be tough. The Knights love their blitzing/attacking defense. Against lesser teams it is effective but I believe they will need to rely more 'traditional' defense to keep this close. Bowling Green loves to spread it out and force the 1 on 1 coverage. That is where the Knights struggled last Friday.

I do agree I am a bit bias (I like the Purple Color glasses reference) to the Purples. It may (or may not) be a closer game. I just know it is going to be very few games where the Purples do not score a ton of points. I think they will break the season total record for points scored; meaning lots of points scored every night. I know it is bias but to me 14 points per quarter will be a constant through out the season.

 

Next season I think my thoughts and the Purple team will come back to reality. However, this season should be very special.

 

True. Like Trinity of last year - you have a very special group. Good luck (after Saturday!).

I do agree I am a bit bias (I like the Purple Color glasses reference) to the Purples. It may (or may not) be a closer game. I just know it is going to be very few games where the Purples do not score a ton of points. I think they will break the season total record for points scored; meaning lots of points scored every night. I know it is bias but to me 14 points per quarter will be a constant through out the season.

 

Next season I think my thoughts and the Purple team will come back to reality. However, this season should be very special.

 

I agree that they will score a lot of points. That offense is unbelievable. The problem will be the new running clock rule. It will be much harder to break the season points record.

Keys to the game for each team

 

LexCath:

 

Offense

- Run the ball. Especially on 1st down. Another need to run - keeping the ball out of the potent BG offense will be key. If TOP will be critical. The best defense against BG - keep the ball out of their hands.

- Avoid the turnovers. 2nd and longs and 3rd and longs allow BG to drop into coverage and with their speed and size advantages they can hang off the receiver and lie in wait. Create situations where Ryan can throw screens, slants and quick outs vs posts and flys.

- Avoid pitch plays or slow developing plays. BG will smoother them.

 

 

Defense

- Play it straight. BG knows the Knights tendency to blitz a lot and will counter with screens and relief valve passes. Keep it simple. Worry about the first down marker instead of the big sack.

- Play two safeties. No shame in a cover-2 defense to provide help where needed.

 

- Overall - avoid penalties. 13 in the last meeting was way to many.

 

BG:

 

Offense

- Score early. The Knights will still be at least tweaking their defense with many new or different players in defensive positions.

- Leverage athleticism. 1 on 1s will usually favor the Purples.

 

Defense

- Again, leverage athleticism. Man for man the Purples will have size advantages.

- Get early stops. If BG gets quick early scores keep the Knights from responding to stay in the game. If BG is playing with house money - on a home field it will put a lot of pressure on the Knight offense to respond.

 

Bottom line: Talent vs. talent favors the Purples. The Knights have to have a solid game plan, execute and stay disciplined to have a shot at a win. Any of those three falls of the track and it may be a long drive back.

BG by 3-4 TDs.