SUPER BOWL 2012

BleedBlue7

WT Executive Moderator



Last season, the Kentucky Wildcats had a very talented, but yet mediocre defense at best.



The Wildcats gave up an unacceptable 28.4 points per game, while also allowing 177.1 rushing yardage per game. A bright note of these so far, bad defensive numbers, is that the Wildcats secondary allowed just 177.1 yards through the air.



Kentucky, in an effort to straighten out their defensive woes that have plagued them for the lasy few seasons, hired a new defensive coordinator. Rick Minter, now defensive coordinator, has brought in new packages and completely diffrerent schemes, than what most teams are used to facing.



Despite all of Kentucky's struggles on the defensive side of the football last season, there is plenty of hope as well as hype. The Wildcats return seven defensive starters from last season's bowl team.



Up front and in the trenches, returning juniors Collins Ukue, Taylor Wyndham, and Ridge Wilson are competing for the defensive end spots. This position looks to be fairly strong and deep.



Likewise, in the middle of the line their is a lot of questions. Seniors Mark Crawford and Luke Mcdermott, and sophomore Mister Cobble look to be the rotation at the defensive tackle position. There is a lot of experience issues here, which always raises questions about talent and contributions.



Returning All-SEC weakside linebacker, Danny Trevathan, will be the heart of the linebacking corps as well as the entire defense. Trevathan, is argubably the best linebacker in the entire SEC, and he looks to improve upon his outstanding numbers. Senior Winston Guy, former safety, has converted to the strong side linebacker, and despite his tackling woes last season, is looking very good at his new position. Senior Ronnie Sneed and sophomore Avery Williamson are both locked in a close battle for the starting middle linebacker position.



Without a doubt, if the Wildcats wnt to improve upon last seasons 177 rushing yards per game woes, both the inexperienced defensive line and the experienced linebacker corps must improve.



The steength of last seasons defense was the secondary. Allowing only 177 passing yards per game, the Wildcats look to be in pretty good shape. Seniors Anthony Mosley and Randall Burden, both won the cornerback positions in spring.



With the loss of Guy at safety, moving to linebacker, their is quite a battle ensuing for the starting nod. Five players will be battling for the two safety spots. Seniors Taiedo Smith and Mychal Bailey, junior Martavius Neloms, and freshman Glenn Faulkner and Miles Simpson. All five players are more than capable of contributing to the defense.



With all of the talent and experience the Wildcats have returning for them, on top of Coach Minters new agressive style of defense, their is hope in Lexington.



But, in order for that hope to come true, the Wildcats must do a few things unlike last season. They must embrace tackling, stop the run, and know their assignments. These are a few of the things that plagued Kentucky's defense and put it near the bottom of the league last season.



But, there is cause for hope and good expectations in Lexington. The talent is there, the experience is there, the agressive style of coaching is there... Let's just hope that the defense are there when the whistle blows.