Analysis:his matchup is as good as any to test out our theory about the SEC, more
specifically the non-Alabama entries in the league. The performance
always didn't match the hype for several SEC reps this season,
especially in non-conference action, where impressive wins were few and
close calls vs. lesser foes were plentiful. Kentucky was one of those
victimized in early September when upset at home by Southern Miss.
Though, to be fair, the Cats did rally after a shaky beginning to the
season to become bowl-eligible for the first time in six years with room
to spare, in the process perhaps saving the job of fourth-year HC Mark
Stoops. UK also concluded its regular-season slate with a rousing 41-38
upset win over Louisville and its Heisman winner Lamar Jackson at Papa
John's Stadium.
The more compelling storyline in this clash, however, belongs to GT and
shrewd HC Paul Johnson, whose 2015 team was one of the rare
underachievers on his watch, as injuries and close losses contributed to
a 3-9 meltdown a year after Orange Bowl success vs. Dak Prescott and
Mississippi State. But just when ACC observers were wondering if Johnson
and his clever option offense were past their sell-by dates, the
Jackets bounced back in 2016 to 8-4...beating SEC bowl reps Vandy and
Georgia along the way. GT closed fast, winning 5 of 6, defeating both
Virginia Tech and aforementioned Georgia on the road.
Note that Stoops, when d.c. at Florida State, faced Johnson's option
once before, at the 2012 ACC title game, just four days after Stoops
accepted the HC job at Kentucky. (Stoops stayed thru the ACC title game,
but moved before the Noles played Northern Illinois in the Orange
Bowl.) FSU won that clash 21-15 as the heavily favored Noles had the
defensive speed to keep the Jackets neutralized, though 2-TD underdog
Tech made the game closer than most envisioned. But Stoops' current Cat
"D" is a poor imitation of that fleet-footed FSU 2012 stop unit, ranking
88th overall and an alarming 108th vs. the rush, allowing over 5 ypc.
Which could prove problematic vs. Johnson's option and sr. QB Justin
Thomas, who picked up the pace late in the season and piloted another
top-ten ranked Tech rushing force (257 ypg, 5.1 ypc, and 32 rush TDs).
Frosh thunderbolt RB Dedrick Mills (602), back from a late-season
suspension, figures to make the most of his bowl carries after top
rusher Marcus Marshall decided to transfer to James Madison (ostensibly
because Mills figures as the feature back moving forward).
Of course, Kentucky was also running up a storm down the stretch behind
its tandem of Boom Williams (1135 YR) & Benny Snell (1107 YR), while
playmaking jr. QB Stephen Johnson (another 278 YR) can run away from
danger. But the Cats have also had some recurring flaws, such as their
suspect "D" vs. the run, and ranking well down the list (105th) in TO
margin. With fewer problem areas, a sr. QB, bowl familiarity, and a
shrewd HC, Tech can get the ACC another coveted win vs. a non-Bama SEC
foe. Play Georgia Tech
Pick Made: Dec 31 2016 1:00AM PST