Rise of the Bluegrass Empire: A Kentucky Wildcats Dynasty

[jasontoddwhitt]

Quote: Originally Posted by studbucket

What a wild weekend of upsets and it was one of those weekends where everything seemed to break your way. It's fun when you see that kind of thing happen.

Now, I have to take advantage of it. But first, there are more shenanigans in the Top 25.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Week 9 Edition

NC State Shocks #1 Clemson with Last-Second Field Goal, 32-31 Upset

In a stunning upset, NC State pulled off back-to-back victories over top-ten teams by edging past #1 Clemson 32-31 on the road. Quarterback Devin Leary led the charge, orchestrating a late-game comeback with a clutch touchdown pass to tight end Christopher Toudle. Despite failing the two-point conversion, the Wolfpack defense stepped up, forcing a crucial three-and-out to regain possession with just over a minute remaining. With nerves of steel, freshman kicker Nasir Kelly drilled a 38-yard field goal as time expired, sealing a historic win for NC State. Leary's stellar performance, tallying 304 passing yards and three touchdowns, solidified the Wolfpack's remarkable upset over the nation's top-ranked team.

TreVeyon Henderson's Heroics Propel #2 Ohio State to Dominant 41-7 Victory Over Rutgers

In a dominant display, #2 Ohio State thrashed Rutgers 41-7 on the road, maintaining their unbeaten streak. The Buckeyes surged ahead with a commanding 21-0 lead in the first quarter and never relinquished control. TreVeyon Henderson showcased his versatility, amassing 238 rushing yards and two touchdowns while contributing significantly in the passing game with six receptions for 92 yards and two receiving touchdowns. With Clemson's loss, Ohio State is poised to ascend to the top spot in the nation.

Notre Dame Stuns #10 Miami with Dominant 42-14 Road Victory

In a stunning upset, Notre Dame (4-4) pulled off a decisive 42-14 road victory over #10 Miami (6-2). Despite a tied score of 14-14 at halftime, the Fighting Irish unleashed an offensive onslaught in the second half, coupled with a formidable defensive performance that included three turnovers. Dominating time of possession, Notre Dame capitalized on their ground game, amassing 252 rushing yards against the Hurricanes. Running back Audric Estime emerged as a standout, tallying 121 yards and three touchdowns, contributing significantly to the Irish's commanding win.

Michigan Holds Off Nebraska's Late Surge to Secure 45-38 Victory

In a thrilling contest, #19 Michigan clawed back from an early deficit to secure a hard-fought 45-38 home victory over Nebraska. After falling behind 17-7, the Wolverines mounted an impressive comeback, scoring 31 unanswered points to take control of the game. In the fourth quarter, Nebraska mounted a late surge, but Michigan's offense held firm to secure the win. Running back Donovan Edwards led the charge for Michigan with a stellar performance, rushing for 181 yards and three touchdowns. Despite the loss, Nebraska's Alante Brown showcased his talent with six receptions for 205 yards and two touchdowns, providing some late fireworks in the contest.

[jasontoddwhitt]

[studbucket]

How is Kentucky 15 and 17 in the polls, but not in the playoff rankings at all?

[jasontoddwhitt]

Quote: Originally Posted by studbucket

How is Kentucky 15 and 17 in the polls, but not in the playoff rankings at all?

I think it's a combination of things. One, the in-game polls are garbage.

As for how this playoff spreadsheet works, it creates a simulated CFP based on five factors...

1. Win Percentage
2. RPI Rating
3. Strength of Record
4. Eye Test (factors margin of victory)
5. Blueblood Bias (factors in team overall rating)

The eye test is dragging us down. We are not blowing teams out because our offense has been down this year. Here's a quick comparison of us (we rank 31st overall) and Oklahoma (24th).

Record: 5-2 (UK) vs 5-3 (OU)
RPI: 37th vs 23rd
Strength of Record: 32nd vs 36th
Eye Test: 51st vs 15th
Blueblood Bias: B vs B

[studbucket]

Great info, thanks for explaining! So not including the polls at all in the spreadsheet definitely is a huge factor.

[jasontoddwhitt]

[jasontoddwhitt]

QB Jason Bean drops a perfect pass to TE Jordan Dingle in the back of the end zone to open the scoring.

Kentucky Secures Hard-Fought Victory Over Missouri, 27-21

By Alex Carrington

LEXINGTON, KY -- In a thrilling matchup, the #13 Kentucky Wildcats held off a resilient Missouri Tigers team to secure a crucial 27-21 victory at Kroger Field. Mark Stoops' squad showcased resilience and determination, overcoming challenges to notch their sixth win of the season.

Key Moments and Scoring Plays

The game got off to a promising start for Kentucky, with quarterback Jason Bean connecting with tight end Jordan Dingle for a 9-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Bean's precise throw showcased his growing chemistry with Dingle, who managed to find separation in the end zone, giving the Wildcats an early 7-0 lead.

Kentucky continued to capitalize on their offensive opportunities, with kicker Jereme Thibodeaux adding a 29-yard field goal just before the end of the first quarter. Thibodeaux's reliable kicking provided valuable points and extended Kentucky's lead to 10-0.

As the game progressed, Kentucky's ground game began to assert its dominance, with running back Kavosiey Smoke breaking free for a 2-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Smoke's hard-nosed running style and ability to find running lanes proved critical in extending Kentucky's lead to 20-0.


Missouri WR Peanut Houston bowls over Kentucky S Jackson Schulz to put the Tigers on the board.

However, Missouri refused to go down without a fight, mounting a spirited comeback that began late in the third quarter. Quarterback Brady Cook showcased his playmaking ability, connecting with wide receiver Peanut Houston for a 7-yard touchdown pass to put the Tigers on the scoreboard. The touchdown strike injected new life into Missouri's offense, narrowing Kentucky's lead to 20-7.


Jason Bean finds HB Ramon Jefferson wide open in the flat for Jefferson's first career TD for Kentucky. The former Sam Houston St. standout missed all of last season with a knee injury.

Despite Missouri's late surge, Kentucky's offense remained composed under pressure. Bean engineered a methodical scoring drive that culminated in a 6-yard touchdown pass to Ramon Jefferson. Bean's ability to distribute the ball effectively and find open receivers in critical situations showcased his growth as a quarterback, extending Kentucky's lead to 27-7.


Kobi Albert gets burned by Mookie Cooper on this 34-yard TD pass.

Missouri continued to battle until the final whistle, with Cook orchestrating two more scoring drives. Cook went over the top of the Wildcats secondary, hitting Mookie Cooper on a 34-yard touchdown pass. After a Kentucky three and out, Cook would inch the Tigers ever closer, culminating in another scoring drive that saw running back Ky Thomas haul in a 7-yard touchdown pass. Cook's precision passing and ability to spread the ball to multiple targets kept Missouri within striking distance, closing the gap to 27-21.

In the end, Kentucky's offense rose to the occasion, thwarting Missouri's comeback attempt by getting a couple of first downs to run the final three minutes of the clock.

Key Performances

JuTahn McClain: After calls for him to be benched following his performance against Akron, Coach Stoops stuck with McClain, and the senior running back repaid that faith. McClain delivered a standout performance, rushing for 82 yards, his highest rushing output since the 131 yards he put up against Ball State, and provided a much-needed spark to Kentucky's ground game.

Jordan Dingle: The talented tight end emerged as a reliable target for quarterback Jason Bean, hauling six receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown. Dingle's ability to find openings in Missouri's defense played a crucial role in Kentucky's offensive success.

Jason Bean: The senior quarterback showcased poise and leadership, completing 22 of 30 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns. Bean's ability to manage the game effectively and deliver key throws in critical moments proved instrumental in Kentucky's victory.


[L] Desmond Evans picked up his second sack in as many games. [R] Eyabi Okie chases Brady Cook into the waiting arms of Deone Walker.

Kentucky Defense: Led by standouts such as Kobi Albert (six tackles and two pass breakups) and Eyabi Okie (four tackles, one tackle for loss), Kentucky's defense delivered a stout performance. It held Missouri's offense in check for much of the game, though they will be disappointed in how the fourth quarter played out.

In the post-game press conference, Mark Stoops expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance, praising their resilience and composure in the face of adversity. "I'm incredibly proud of how our guys battled tonight," said Stoops. "We faced some adversity but stayed focused and executed when it mattered most."

Meanwhile, Missouri head coach Alex Grinch acknowledged his team's effort but emphasized the need for improvement in critical moments. "We showed resilience in the fourth quarter, but we need to be more consistent throughout the game," said Grinch. "There are areas where we need to make adjustments, and we'll address those moving forward."

With this hard-fought victory, Kentucky improves to 6-2 overall, strengthening their position in the SEC standings. As they look ahead to the remainder of the season, the Wildcats will seek to build on this momentum and continue their pursuit of conference glory.

Missouri Tigers at Kentucky Wildcats
Oct 28, 2023	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	OT	SCORE
Missouri Tigers (2-7, 1-5 SEC)	0	0	7	14	--	21
#13 Kentucky Wildcats (6-2, 3-2 SEC)	10	3	7	7	--	27

Team Stats Comparison
	MIZZ	UK
Total Offense	330	368
Rushing Yards	53	159
Passing Yards	277	209
First Downs	11	20
Punt Return Yards	8	89
Kick Return Yards	54	126
Total Yards	392	583
Turnovers	0	0
3rd Down Conversion	5-15 (33%)	6-14 (42%)
4th Down Conversion	2-2 (100%)	0-0
2-Point Conversion	0-0	0-0
Red Zone Trips/Touchdowns/Field Goals	3-2-0 (66%)	6-3-2 (83%)
Penalties	6-60	5-25
Possession Time	13:34	22:26

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		MIZZ	UK
2:48	(UK) TD: Jordan Dingle, 9 Yd pass from Jason Bean (XP Good)	0	7
0:01	(UK) FG: Jereme Thibodeaux, 29 Yd FG	0	10
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		MIZZ	UK
6:00	(UK) FG: Jereme Thibodeaux, 33 Yd FG	0	13
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		MIZZ	UK
6:10	(UK) TD: Kavosiey Smoke, 2 Yd run (XP Good)	0	20
1:35	(MIZZ) TD: Peanut Houston, 7 Yd pass from Brady Cook (XP Good)	7	20
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		MIZZ	UK
7:28	(UK) TD: Ramon Jefferson, 6 Yd pass from Jason Bean (XP Good)	7	27
6:08	(MIZZ) TD: Mookie Cooper, 34 Yd pass from Brady Cook (XP Good)	14	27
3:05	(MIZZ) TD: Ky Thomas, 7 Yd pass from Brady Cook (XP Good)	21	27

Missouri Tigers PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Brady Cook 21/38 277 3 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Ky Thomas 8 50 6.2 0 Brady Cook 8 -3 -0.3 0 Mekhi Miller 2 10 5.0 0 Elijah Young 1 0 0.0 0 B.J. Harris 1 -4 -4.0 0 RECEIVING REC/TGT YDS AVG TD Mekhi Miller 5/9 19 3.8 0 Ky Thomas 4/4 19 4.7 1 Dominic Lovett 3/6 46 15.3 0 Tyler Stephens 3/4 80 26.6 0 Mookie Cooper 3/5 80 26.6 1 Peanut Houston 2/4 25 12.5 1 Luther Burden III 1/4 8 8.0 0 Chance Luper 0/1 0 0.0 0 BLOCKING PANCAKE SACK Luke Griffin 0 1 Armand Membou 0 1 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Joseph Charleston 15 (1tfl) 0 0 0 Dameon Wilson 8 (2tfl) 0 0 0 Kris Abrams-Draine 7 (1tfl) 0 0 0 Xavier Simmons 7 (2tfl) 1 0 0 Ennis Rakestraw Jr. 4 0 0 (2pd) 0 Jaylon Carlies 4 (1tfl) 0 0 0 L.J. Hewitt 3 0 0 0 Ja'Marion Wayne 3 0 0 0 Johnny Walker Jr. 3 0 0 0 Trajan Jeffcoat 3 (1tfl) 0 0 0 Dreyden Norwood 2 0 0 0 Daylan Carnell 2 (1tfl) 0 0 0 Tyler Hibbler 1 0 0 0 Jalen Henry-Cole 1 0 0 (1pd) 0 Kristian Williams 1 0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Harrison Mevis 0/0 3/3 3 0 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Taylor Cochran 8 303 37.8 0 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Kris Abrams-Draine 1 22 22.0 0 Peanut Houston 1 32 32.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Peanut Houston 1 8 8.0 0

Kentucky Wildcats PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Jason Bean 22/30 209 2 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD JuTahn McClain 19 82 4.3 0 Kavosiey Smoke 14 51 3.6 1 Jason Bean 6 19 3.1 0 Dane Key 1 7 7.0 0 RECEIVING REC/TGT YDS AVG TD Jordan Dingle 6/7 65 10.8 1 Dane Key 3/7 32 10.6 0 Barion Brown 3/4 36 12.0 0 JuTahn McClain 2/2 -8 -4.0 0 Brenden Bates 2/2 32 16.0 0 Izayah Cummings 2/2 16 8.0 0 Tayvion Robinson 2/2 20 10.0 0 Ramon Jefferson 1/1 6 6.0 1 Kavosiey Smoke 1/1 10 10.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Kobi Albert 6 0 0 (2pd) 0 Jordan Lovett 5 0 0 (1pd) 0 Andru Phillips 4 0 0 0 Eyabi Okie 4 (1tfl) 0 0 0 Carrington Valentine 4 0 0 (2pd) 0 Trevin Wallace 3 0 0 0 Deone Walker 3 (2tfl) 1 0 0 J.J. Weaver 2 (2tfl) 0 0 0 Jackson Schulz 2 0 0 (2pd) 0 Maxwell Hairston 2 (1tfl) 0 0 0 Desmond Evans 1 (1tfl) 1 0 0 Jalen Geiger 1 0 0 0 Darrion Henry Young 1 0 0 0 Zion Childress 0 0 0 (1pd) 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Jereme Thibodeaux 2/2 3/3 9 33 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Jake Holley 5 207 41.4 1 KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Barion Brown 4 126 31.5 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Barion Brown 6 78 13.0 0 Tayvion Robinson 1 11 11.0 0