[bills217]

Does Kentucky get some respect now that we've won 8 of our last 9 games including wins over UGA, Clemson, and Louisville? (The only loss in that stretch was at Tennessee, in a game UK basically gave away.)

Kentucky is a very weird team. This current edition of the Cats plays at a sustainable positive turnover margin. They should have been an exception to Phil Steele's TO-margin reversal predictions. The defense usually gives up a ton of yards, but has a knack for keeping the other team off the board and forcing key turnovers, probably due to an emphasis on stripping the ball instead of (sometimes) wrapping up. And Andre Woodson simply doesn't ever make plays that hurt you, refusing to force the ball into coverage.

Kentucky also has a comically small O-line and no real power backs, and as a result struggles mightily in short-yardage situations, but they utilize what they've got to the fullest extent possible, running tons of sweeps to get the more nimble OL's out on the perimeter to block for UK's gaggle of quick, elusive backs. Alfonso Smith would be far and away LSU's best back and he doesn't see the field in close games.

I contend that cornerback Trevard Lindley may be the most underrated player in the entire country...no accolades or really even mentions by local outlets, much less national. It's not really accurate to call him a shut-down corner in the truest sense, because UK's scheme consists of a lot of vanilla zone coverages, but you very rarely see Lindley get beat. Got good size, speed, and hands. Only a sophomore, too.