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Kentucky vs. Alabama: Here We Go! · Bluegrass State of Mind

• Dillon: what's up guys? Welcome back to another episode of Bluegrass State of Mind. You can see that all three of Room 302 is back. Better than ever. Colton Mason, glad to have you boys back. Thank you and shout out to Daily G and Tyler Etherich for filling in last week. but hey, we're glad the boys are back. And not only are they back, but looking better than ever. Colton, what's going on? Kolton Myatt: That's right. We're repping the Bluegrass Elite merchandise. Mason finally has his. Shout out to our friends over at Bluegrass Elite. Our our sponsors over there. Go and check out their website. Make sure and use BSN three two if you want fifteen percent off. They've got us looking good over here, fellas. Dillon: They do indeed, a veteran-owned company. They got all kinds of choices. Mason: As always. Probably wear this to the game Saturday. Dillon: I think you should. I'm gonna be wearing my rope hat, Mason. I'm pumped. I know you're gonna be there too. But got a full slate of things, full Kentucky tonight. we've gonna start out with the Youngstown State game. Going to get into the Alabama, Kentucky game that's going to be occurring this Saturday. Some LSU drama, some BSM from the stands, and then some predictions on some games. yeah. So let's get right into it. UK football has officially begun, fellas, and started out with a W. So the Wildcats face the penguins Mason: Yeah. Dillon: of Youngstown State. What a name. I don't know that I would be want to be known as the penguins, but Kentucky handles business forty-five thirteen against Youngstown State this past Saturday. I before we get into any stats, Colton Mason initial thoughts without getting into the stats itself. What was your initial thoughts? Mason: Yeah. so you know, I I told Colton about this earlier. We kinda talked a little bit and obviously it's Youngtown State, right? But we looked really good. Right. Offense looked good, you know, a lot of motion, a lot of different stuff that we haven't seen in the past. And I told Colton, like, just thinking back, there's been so many times in the past five ish years or so where we play these type of teams and yes, we end up winning, but it may only be seventeen to seven at halftime, right? And you're not like you don't feel super comfortable at halftime and At no point during this game did I have that feeling. Right? Like we came out, we took care of business. Stein showed off, you know, hiv his offensive mind and what he's able to do. And again, it was Youngstown State, but it was just nice to see. It was a nice refresher to see, you know, and have these type of games where we can come out and we put a team away early and it was never in question, okay, are we gonna beat this team by ten or are we gonna beat this team by forty? Right? Like we had the game one the whole time and it was just refreshing and nice to see di different side of football we haven't seen in a while. So I I'm excited. Dillon: Absolutely. You know, just talking about, you know, coming out right off the beginning of spark, you're looking at the first that first stretch of plays there, when we get the ball seven plays, seventy five yards, three minutes and thirty one seconds, touchdown. Colton, was it about the same for you just refreshing like, whoa, what is this? Kolton Myatt: yeah. I mean it's just different, right? You're looking, you're like, this is not the same Kentucky offense that we've we've been accustomed to. It just there's so much motion, there was so much movement. it just looked like it was coming easy, right? It's like option one is there, option two is there, like there's someone always open, it didn't matter. Like you knew where to go with Bob. Like there was always something creative with it and it just made it look simple, right? It just seemed like we weren't having to work, which it seems like our offense has had to do so much in the last few years. It just seems like everything's so difficult. So when you actually hit a big play, you were just shocked. You were like, What? We actually did it. But it didn't seem like that with this offense. You were just waiting, right? You were getting yardage after yardage and then you're like, Hey, we're gonna hit something big here in a minute because it's just coming too easy right now. just look different. you know, I I it had me excited early just 'cause it's just something we hadn't seen in a l in several years, if i if not in a long time. Dillon: No, absolutely. real quick before I get into the stats though, Cotton, can you move this part of your mic over just a little bit so I can see your face a little bit more? Yeah, there we go. I can see your face now. yo, no, don't be hiding from us, Bulldog. Come out Mason: See that pretty face pulled off. Dillon: of the bushes, come out, come on now. we will let's get into some of the stats though, right? so looking at Kentucky team stats, 506 total yards, 301 passing yards, 205 rushing yards, zero turnovers. Feel like we got to start at the quarterback position. Kenny Minchie. Wow. I mean, 18 for 27, 301 yards, four TDs, zero interceptions, 66.7 completion rate. Kenny Minchie, all four touchdowns were to different players. let's just talk, let's start there. Talk about the quarterback, Kenny Minchie. initially, I'll tell you, I'll give you my thoughts. My first impressions after the first drive, and then saying thereafter. is just in control, smart decision making, poised, just under control, right? And I I I I know. I know we're playing against an FCS school, you know, sound state. I get it. I I do. We'll really see where he's at this Saturday when we face Alabama. But for him to come in, not had a single start, not been a starting quarterback anywhere, it didn't really look that way. It looked like he was in complete control the entire game. He I I'll just be honest, I love just seeing him make the right decisions, right? And it I think it was I can't really recall when it was, but it was second and long and had nothing, but just making those throws and and just throwing it out like not not trying to throw it where you know that you gotta have a miracle play, getting yourself into trouble. I I I really enjoy seeing those those type of plays for my quarterback, knowing where you're at in the game, this is not the time or nor the place right now. Let let's just move on to the next down and see what we can get. I I I that was my first initial thoughts. Colton, what was your initial thoughts on Kenny Minchy? Other than wow. Kolton Myatt: Yeah, you s you you said it. I mean, the biggest thing I noticed was he was in control of it. He got through his progressions. option one, option two, option three, you know, a and he was able to he stayed poised and he got it to the guy that was open. And it may have been a f a a five yard pass that got you seven yards and then all of a sudden take his chances at a fifteen twenty yarder. And he just he picked, you know, his opportunities where he needed to. He didn't put the ball at risk. he didn't take a lot of sacks. He got the ball out quickly. Right. And w and we we we really think that this offensive line can be special. So, you know, if he's getting the ball out quickly, the offensive line can be even better if he's helping them out in that way. And, you know, if you're you're keeping the defense on their heels rather than their toes coming downhill because they know they get to you fast, you know, that's gonna only help him when you get into these some of these SEC defensive lines. But yeah, he very in control was what I noticed. Dillon: Mason, I think one of the biggest things too that we mentioned here is can he mention you all four touchdowns that passings that passing touchdowns that he had was to four different players. How how not only important but awesome is that to see that you have four different people scoring touchdowns from passes from your quarterback? Mason: Well yeah, absolutely. And you know, I think a lot of this speaks to, you know, you're talking about the poise, the decision making. Also Will Stein making it easy on Kenny Minchie to make these decisions, right? Like we Dillon: Good point. Mason: we've already talked about like all the motions we've seen and you know, I I was telling Colton earlier, like I don't remember what play it was, but we run a kind of like a play action or an RPO towards the right side and that tied in on the right side, he releases and just kinda has a flat right across the left side and he's wide open. Right? Like maybe that's your second or third option, but it's an easy option to move the ball and pick up some yardage on first down and make second down a lot easier. And, you know, that's another thing I was talking about with Colton. Like it just feels like Stein does a great job of making sure we're ahead of the sticks. Right? Like picking up Dillon: Mm-hmm. Mason: a few yards on second down instead of trying to stuff it up the gut and we lose two. Right. Like like I these things are gonna happen. We played Youngstown State, but just all the stuff that I'm seeing, like Stein's offense, his system, his scheme, getting everybody involved, you know, not just focusing on one target. know, trying to force it to these guys, Minchie going through his reads. so obviously I mean it was exciting to see, like you said, doing I think it was what Darby Skinner, Rodriguez and Gene, is that right? The other one that had it Yeah. Dillon: Yep, Jean. Yep. Mason: So I mean getting getting four different guys involved and getting in the end zone. And then you you had CJ Baxter, which you know, we'll talk about I'm sure too, but you Jason Patterson, I mean it seems like our backfield backfield's pretty deep too. he had a great game. So Dillon: Well, I think the best way to go about this is, you know, we had separated our our our talking points to just Youngstown State and then like key takeaways. Let's kind of gel those together so we can get into the Alabama discussion because that's obviously going to be this Saturday. but when looking at, you know, we start with Kenny Minche, but that's a reflection upon the big blue wall, right? When when looking at the big blue wall offensive line, they didn't allow a single sight. Kenny Minche was not touched. Now, can they Put that into play this Saturday against a FBS school and a powerhouse in Alabama, traditionally known as I don't know. We shall see. but going into those players though, specifically highlighting some of the players, looking at Jason Patterson, backup running back, 78 rushing yards. CJ Baxter had nine carries for 48 yards, two touchdowns. All that was early. He didn't play a ton after that. Kenny Darby. 78 yards. He had a 37-yard touchdown. He led Kentucky in receiving yards. and Kenny Darby, man, true freshman. Mikel Skinner, another one, four catches for 61 yards, touchdown. Willie Rogria as the proven vet for that big class of tight ends, four catches for 48 yards, a touchdown. Prince Gene, two catches, 27 yards, and a touchdown. Colton, I think that you gotta start with Kenny Darby here, man. I mean, the kid just looked Impressive. I I and again, I I don't want to go crazy here because yes, again, it was Youngstown State, but let's not say that anymore. Let's just take it for what it was. The the kid could be a breakout star possibly. I mean what what was your thoughts on Mr. Darby? I mean, as a true freshman Kolton Myatt: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, he's quick. I mean he's fast. And and those guys make plays. Right? I mean they get they get open. They they find ways to get extra yardage. Right? When you right when you think that they're getting going down, they find the way to get that extra yardage you need. Sometimes it's gonna be a third and seven. Does he does he have it with he catches four yards to go and he and he gets it, right? 'Cause he he's that type of player. And those are the type of players you have to have. Like those are the ones that make names for themselves. And Yeah, I think he's got a chance to be special. He's obviously going to get his reps this year and he's gonna have the he's got the talent that he's he he's proven himself for Will Stein to trust him enough to go ahead and throw him into this this offense this early as a freshman. And so I mean he's only gonna get better the more experience he gets and the more he learns. yeah, I'm excited for him, for sure. Dillon: Well and then, you know, let let's, you know, flipping scripts here from a freshman to now a proven vet in Willy Rodriguez, Mason, you know, we've always been like, Okay, let's Mason: Mm-hmm. Dillon: get the tight ends involved. Let's get involved. Come on, Stoops, come on, come on, come on. That Mason: Yep. Dillon: that that was a night and day performance there. but highlighting Willy Rodriguez. I mean, this guy I mean, the ceiling I I mean Is high for this man, especially given of how big of a target he is. And he has hands. Like he he catches about everything you throw to him in his direction. But how important do you think it is for Willi Rodriguez to to have success for other those other tight ends to have success, given that you know that probably when scouting, looking at Kentucky, Willy Rodriguez is going to be tight end one that we gotta take care of. But what that could open up for these others. Mason: Yeah, absolutely. And that that was actually what I was gonna say and kinda lead into is our next two leading receivers were tight ends, you know, Mikel Skinner and Willie Rodriguez. And you know, I was I was sitting there watching and I was like, Man, like we have this big blue wall and then if you have Mikel Skinner and Willie Rodriguez who are both big boys, they can block, they can also obviously catch, you know, run routes, like that's huge. Right, going into our offense. If you can sit there and load up and have, you know, go ahead heavy formation, show the run and then you have Dillon: What opens up everything? Mason: Exactly. You have Kenny Darby on the outside with his speed and then you have Rodriguez and Mikel Skinner, then I mean that opens up so so much for the entire offense. you know, the running game, the passing game, play action. So I mean, obviously I think w we saw against Youngstown State, Smuddog. We saw how important those tight ends were and how important they're gonna be moving forward in this offense. Dillon: And you know, when looking okay, so we obviously we've got on here, we've talked about all the positives, how great they looked. It was the wideout game, it was the beginning of the Will Stein era. There's so many things going in in the right direction. you know, one thing I didn't mention, but I I think we need to is that Kenny Minchie, he had completions of 33 yards, 38 yards, 37 yards, 26 yards, 28 yards. Colton That's huge whenever you have a game that you've got to mix it up, right? You can't only rely on just running the ball and doing small check downs or a little screen pass here or there. You've got to be able to have a deep ball threat to open up the field for more options, I guess is what I'm trying to say. Would you would you agree that that at least was more that was exciting as well to see like, my goodness, like this is fun. This is fun to see that we can actually move the ball deep. Yeah. Mason: Throw it down the field. Kolton Myatt: Yeah. But it was a lot of it's caused by those the motion and the play action the crossing routes, the little the fine outs, like the things that were happening early on for us to get the five, six, seven yards at a time. Like they they they stayed on. They didn't know whether to press up. And when you start pressing up because you you gotta get these shorter passes and there's people moving all over, then all of sudden you have room that hits those fifteen, twenty yard routes that they're they're off balance, right? They can't they can't keep up when you throw it in there. And so that's why it w it's so important for us to have that type of motion on offense is because you have options everywhere. And it just seemed like every single play, Minchie had option one that probably was that 15 to 20 yard pass. Then he had option two that was that five or six yard pass. And he had, you know, the RP. Like he had these different options. And but when you go throughout that across your entire offense, throughout the entire game, the defense is sitting there questioning, like, man, where is he going to go to? And if they're questioning, then you're gonna hit those throughout the game where you you get your big plays here and there. And so I credit Stein, Minchie, you know, the offense as a whole, the offensive line for blocking and the receivers were making plays when they they got the opportunities. It it looked it looked different, fellas, and and Dillon: Refreshing. Kolton Myatt: in a good way, it was different. Dillon: Well, again, that was all the positives. Not that there was any really negatives, but let's kind of talk about some stuff we for sure are gonna have to work on. And obviously I if anybody watched the game, that was our defense. You know, I don't think and and that was something that coming into this game, I think was the question mark, right? You know, everybody knew that this power offense of mine in Will Stein, the schemes that we've talked about, the the quarterbacks that he's coached, the high powered offense, the IQ. That he has. That was really never in question. It was the defense. And you could see that. So Youngstown State only rushed for 59 yards. However, they did throw for 246 yards. So 305 total yards allowed. 200 of the 46 of that was passing. This was against a really good veteran quarterback who is the excuse me, the MVP leader in the FCS school. that I was looking at that I what I had seen. But regardless, I I I think that's something that that's going to be into question specifically moving forward and directed towards this Saturday. Mason, do you think that it was kind of one of those things that you know you could say kind of got lackadaisical, kind of got a little sloppy at times. Or do you think that it really was that okay, yeah, there is some weaknesses in that front, whether it be the the D line, whether it be the secondary, the safeties cornerbacks, the the w what was your whole take on the defense of side of things for this Kentucky team? Mason: Yeah, I mean to be honest, I think that was all of our biggest question going in, right, was kind of the defense and especially that defensive line. if we had enough guys up there who could create pressure. And I know Colton told me earlier I didn't know this and he can speak on a little bit more here in a minute, but apparently two of the guys from Youngstown State are are pretty solid in the line, you know, expected to go in the draft. so not like we're going up against a scrub offensive line, right? Like they're veterans, you know, they've been there, they're expected to go in the draft, they're good offensive linemen, but still You know, only only getting one sack against Youngstown State. not very promising, right? And I I know we were down two cornerbacks, you know, two two in our secondary. that I think Stein said one is for sure gonna be back and the other one's kinda iffy. you know, obviously we didn't have Alex Afari. so, you know, I I think those guys are gonna help. but I do still think that's the biggest question. You know, when Colton and I were talking a little bit today, we we just talked about like, yes, it's refreshing to see this offense and we would honestly rather lose and kind of like a you know, forty five to thirty one game, but I feel like there's gonna be times this season when we're struggling to get stops and it's gonna be can our offense keep up, right? You know, so I I do think that's gonna be a challenge for us, especially going into this weekend. I know in the past, I mean, y'all know it, we we usually struggle with quarterbacks who are mobile, right? Like they usually eat us alive. And I'm hoping we'll stein Dillon: don't get into it too soon. Mason: I'm not I'm not. I'm just I'm I'm hoping we'll stein can have a game plan and be able to control that. but yeah, I mean I I think everybody that watched, that's our biggest question right now, right? Like how is this defense gonna stand up during S E C play? Dillon: Colton I also had heard that, you know, this is coming from Kentucky Sports Radio. I'd either seen it or heard it. I cannot remember. But we also were down our two best cornerbacks, apparently. had you all seen that and heard that? Kolton Myatt: That's what Mason just said. Mason: That's what I s that's what I was saying. Yeah, we're supposed to get one of Dillon: I thought you said I thought you said the offent defensive line. Or did you say that too? Mason: No. I said Kolton Myatt: No. Mason: I I said quarterbacks in secondary, but yeah, we were down two. Yeah. Yeah. I s what one of one of was Sykes, is that right? And Dillon: okay. Well sorry. Okay. Maybe I Kolton Myatt: We did hear it doing. We had heard about it. Yeah. Mason: I don't remember the he said one of was gonna be back. Stein did for sure, but I can't remember which one he said. Dillon: Sorry about that. Kolton Myatt: Yeah, well so that didn't help any, obviously. And like I s like I told Mason, a couple of those guys on the offensive line were, you know, potential NFL offensive linemen. So they weren't so I mean you take a veteran quarterback who's been who's played, he high IQ, good passer to the ball, so he's he understands to get the ball out of his hand also. You know, good veteran Q QBs know to do that. so I'm not gonna just chalk it up that you know, that we couldn't, but I hope that we are at least a bend don't break type defense. Dillon: Mm-hmm. Kolton Myatt: but I do agree that na granted, I would rather I'm like Mason, I'd rather be a Tennessee type team where we're putting up thirty points a game for sure. We may lose fifty to thirty, but I would much rather see that type of game than us get beat twenty eight to three, right? something like that, thirty one to three because we just couldn't score ever. Like we never put in pressure. We never Game of Champ. I'd rather do that. Like I'd rather get into a shootout every game and maybe not be able to keep up for a pla for a drive or two than to never be in it because we can't get across midfield. And we've saw that way too many many times in the last couple of years. Dillon: I mean, I feel like this is just sounding like our basketball team too, what everybody's saying. Getting a shootout. Not Kolton Myatt: Yeah, maybe yeah. Dillon: not trying to get into basketball, but I'm like like when you're saying this is gonna be a shootout, let let's rock with it. Let's put up some points. Our defense may or may not be what it needs to be. all right. Well, fellas, hey, so overall though, if you had to give real quick, if you had to give a grade for opener of the Will Stein error, Colton, let's start with you. What would your what would your grade be? Kolton Myatt: yeah, at least an A minus. I'm I'm for sure giving a A minus. I mean everything it was a very clean game. from the start you came out, you didn't look sloppy, you didn't have turnovers, wasn't penalized very much. you played a very clean and and good g you executed a game plan, different players looked good, lived up to what they were gonna say, you took care of business and you showed potential, you built hope going into the next game. I mean you built momentum. Going into the next game, everyone you you kept people from getting injured. I mean you you had a really good so I mean at least an A minus for sure. Dillon: Mason, what's your grade? Mason: Yeah, I'm going A. you know, I thought the offense looked great. It listen, these type of games, like these teams are usually gonna score, right? Like garbage touchdown in the first half, garbage touchdown, you know, fourth quarter, whatever it may be. So I mean, yes, we gave up thirteen points, but still, like it was never in question. We came out, we took care of business, we looked really good, all the guys seemed focused, ready to go. So I'm giving it an A. Dillon: I'm gonna give it an A2. I think, like y'all said at best, it was a clean game. Obviously, could have been better on the defensive side of things. Offensive, I'd give it a A plus just because of the Minchie being able to complete as many passes as he did, not getting touched, four different targets for touchdowns. it was overall though a clean game. Let's get into the Alabama game, though, now. All right. So this Saturday. September 12th. The University of Alabama is coming in for game number two under the Will Stein era. And fellas, this has been the game marked on the calendar since Will Stein was introduced as the head football coach of Kentucky for many of the reasons. Whether it be his recruiting, whether it be his offensive scheme, whether it be the Alabama. on that side of thing is struggling under Kalen De Boer, last year's defeat against Florida State. There's just a lot riding on this game, right? And you you can look at it two different ways. You could look at it as that Alabama has everything to lose or Kentucky has everything to gain. Right, I think that that that that's a fair opinion to make on this game. when looking at Alabama though, let's start with them. They are ranked number 13 unless they dropped. I I think they did drop some, maybe, but regardless, their top 15, top 20 opponent. Mason, you can fat check me on that. but they are coming off a 48-10 win over East Carolina. Just a little bit of background information in the all-time series with Kentucky, Alabama leads this series. 39, 2, and 1. The tie, don't ask me when, but it was. That's what it said. the last time we actually beat Alabama was October 4th, 1997. Fellas, we were two years old whenever or you were okay. Mason: I was like I was like five months old. Dillon: Well, Colton, you and I, or excuse me, we're one, a little bit over one. Not not two, a little bit over one. Kentucky won that game 40 to 34 in overtime behind Tim Couch. Alabama's current streak is Mason: Me caps. Dillon: eight straight wins. And the last meeting, Alabama won 49 to 21 in Lexington in 2023. Man, there's a lot that's going to be coming in this game. did you all get a chance to watch the Alabama East Carolina game? Mason: Watched a little bit of it. Kind of flip kinda flip back and forth. Dillon: Okay, well then let's so when looking at that well let's start with their quarterback freshman Keelon Russell. Keelon Russell had 256 passing yards, 86 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown. I think it's apparent that the one thing you gotta watch out for Keelon Russell i is his legs. He's quick, he's fast. Mason, watching Keelon Russell in his first game at Alabama, transitioning that into this Kentucky defense. You already mentioned it a little bit, you know, that that we can struggle Mason: Mm-hmm. Dillon: maybe with some some running backs or excuse me quarterbacks who who can get on their feet and run. What do you see? Did you think Keelon Russell was impressive? Was you were you not impressed? What what what's your total thoughts on that? Mason: I wasn't super impressed with him. and I'll be honest with you, I'm not a football coach. But when I was watching them play East Carolina, there was several different times where East Carolina would only rush three and drop everybody else. And if we're not gonna be getting pressure anyways And it seemed like Russell struggled a little bit. Like yes, he would get out of the pocket, but he was also having trouble finding open receivers and then he would kinda like panic. You know, like he'd try to force a ball in here and wasn't a great throw. Or he'd try to pick up something with his legs. And, you know, I feel like just watching that and watching our defense defensive line against Youngstown State, like if we're not gonna get pressure anyways, then Rush three, drop everybody else, and let's make him beat us with his arm. Right? Like have have a guy in spy, have have another guy watching him, you know, on each side, and make him beat us with his arm because like like I said, I was not impressed with his arm. Like he did everything with his legs. He was getting outside the pocket, he was trying to create, and it just doesn't seem like he can sit back there and throw the ball. And I think if we try to do that and try to make him beat us with our with his arm, I think we can, you know, hang with him, put up some points and who knows what can happen there at the end of the game. Dillon: Colton, first off, I love how Mason started out with, I'm not a, I'm not a football coach. Thank you for, yeah, yeah. Thank you Mason: But I'll eat. Dillon: for acknowledging that. Hey, y'all that y'all have got more football knowledge than I do. I and I'll state that too. but Colton, I think that he Keelan Russell did force a lot. if you did watch the game, he did look like he got a little razzled up a little bit, didn't really know what to do with the ball, and he did rely on his legs. And when he did throw it, Let's get into who they're look throwing it to. They're looking at Ryan Coleman Williams. I think Ryan, I think Ryan Coleman Williams is one of those guys that it's hard to figure out. You know, he he he comes into college football and just like boom immediately. Like everybody is drawn to him. And he had a great, fabulous freshman year. And you're looking at him like, man, this guy is the next stud guy. Like he he's that he's gonna be like top five draft picks. And he still may turn out to be that, but But Colton B we would be remiss if we didn't mention the guy struggling to to catch the ball at times. he Mason: I say it's feet. Dillon: Colton he had five receptions, ten targets for 130 receiving yards, but he had two easy, easy drops if you wide open, yes, if you watch the game. And and you know, so I I done a little research looking at that. this is not hit his first time struggling with with this. He actually See if I wrote it down. He he Mason: It struggled bad last year too. Dillon: did last Kolton Myatt: Mm-hmm. Dillon: year. he had 10 drops, which ranked third most in FBS. And actually, he led the SEC Colton with him coming into a hostile environment at Kroger Field where you know, you know it's going to be bumping and rocking. Do you think that that could play a factor into this game? Kolton Myatt: Yeah, a hundred percent. it's obvious that he's he's probably lacking a little bit of confidence, especially from last year. And look, he's super talented. I mean, when he first come in, like him and Jeremiah Smith are in the same same class and it was like a they're both they're both freshman years. They were like, G look, if we if these two guys could go out to the NFL right now, they'd probably be both top five picks. Like you said, and you know, but then Williams had the drops last year and Alabama struggled a little bit. And then all of a sudden, you know, he's show yes, he had obviously still a big game, but he had a couple drops still. So not only are you gonna have him lacking a little confidence, needing to make big catches with a hostile environment, you have the quarterback entering his first hostile environment on the road. you know, and you like you said, I feel like he forced some throws on there, you know, panicked a little bit early, like freshmen do. They're gonna try to make a play probably that's not there. They They're hoping that something can happen with it. Well, can you can the crowd get into it enough? Can you put it in a situation where all of a sudden he starts to make those type of mistakes too? And all it takes is one and then a second one happens and they start to add up. And and you ever you ever heard that quicksand reference from the replacements? You ever watch the replacements? And you know he he he said, you know, I'm stuck in quicksand. The harder you the harder you try to fight, the deeper you sink. And that's kind of what you try to get into on a weight team. Like if you're a home team, that's what you want. You want one thing to go wrong and then try to make up for it and another thing goes wrong. And the harder they're trying to make up for the mistakes, the deeper they're sinking. And between the drops and a freshman QB, I think that's where you've got to take advantage. I mean, you've got to make it an atmosphere that rattles these guys if you're gonna if you're gonna have a chance to win this game. Mason: Will Stein's calling on us. Kolton Myatt: Yeah. Dillon: He is. And we will not sit down, Mason. We will not sit down. We're standing the whole Mason: That's right. He said he said he said I hope Dillon: game. Mason: he said I hope everybody in that stadium has called to work on Monday 'cause they're so hoarse they can't talk. I was like, Alright, I got you, Will. I got you. I'll still be working, but I'm not gonna be able to talk on Monday. Yeah, I'll still be working, Dillon: So you know, Kolton Myatt: You're still working. Mason: but I'm not gonna be able to talk on Monday. Dillon: That'd be actually kind of hard for me to do to work without talking. but the let's let's just go back to what I stated earlier. Because I think it's important too. This is a game where Alabama has everything to lose and Kentucky has everything to gain. You you heard me state the when looking at the all time series. Alabama is the the top I mean They're the pinnacle, right? I mean, like they they are at the penthouse when it comes to college football tradition. When looking at, okay, that's the program we want to be, right? Now, maybe not the past three or four years, but when you're looking at collectively as a whole, they have been at the top, they are the brand, the name. But is as important as this is for not only the brand, Alabama, Cone, how important is this for Calen DeBore and the future of him? Kolton Myatt: Yeah, I mean, look how many times would Nick Saban have came into Lexington and we even thought we had a chance. Right. I mean, and look, we Mason: Mm-hmm. Kolton Myatt: had I mean there was years that we had good teams there, a couple of years, but would we have thought we've got a chance no. Like even if Nick Saban brought Alabama in when we had Josh Allen on the defensive line and that team that was really good, we're still sitting there thinking, let's keep it within tw twenty one, right? Let's keep it within Mason: Yeah. Kolton Myatt: it's not the same Alabama. Right. It's not the same it's not they don't have they don't put the fear into a lot of teams anymore. outside Dillon: Mm. Yeah. Kolton Myatt: the name, but the you look at the roster, you look at the style of play, you look at the way that they've been the last couple of years, and you just don't get that scared of Alabama. I can promise you there's other teams in the SEC right now that I am way more scared of playing than Alabama, and that's that that's crazy to even say that type of statement regarding Alabama, but that's where we're at in in today's time. Dillon: Mason, where does Kentucky, where where do we win this game? Where where when it comes down to it, and w if we're sitting here next Tuesday, Wednesday, whenever we record next, Mason: Mm. Dillon: how does Kentucky win this game? Where does it start at? Mason: I'll tell you this, I feel like and this is kinda going back, but I feel like the past few years, like, we've been in some games like this with teams. Right? Like w I think we had the players. Right, like I I think Stein has shown that he knows how to coach, right? Like he can run offense. And I think it's gonna come down to well, we have seen so many games lost over the last few years at Kentucky. And that's, you know, in the game situations, into half situations. being able to control the clock, being able to be smart about those things, right? So like let's say we're going into halftime, we know we're getting the ball back, or Alabama's getting the ball and we know we you know we gotta try to get three points out here 'cause they're getting the ball. Or we're getting the ball back. Let's just milk this clock, let's go into halftime tide and let's come out out and put one on to start the second half. So I I think for me it's gonna come down to those end of game situations and and ultimately that comes down to coaching, right? And I feel really good with Will Stein on our sideline. I didn't want to go too basic like, our offense or our defense, but I I really do think that we have the players, we have the talent, we have the hype around us right now, right? Like everybody's believing, everybody's excited and I I do think it's gonna be a good game and I think it's gonna come down to those end of game scenarios, end of half, penalties, you know, we've talked about that in the past as well, right? Just the coaching and the overall overall chemistry of the team and being able to gel together and get the job done when it comes down to it. Dillon: Colton, I think this is an easy one for me. I think that it will start and end with our defense, specifically the D line. I think that's how we win this game. I think that if we could find a way to get some pressure in Russell, make him make difficult decisions as a true freshman, being at his first true road environment. Make him make hard, difficult decisions. decisions make them run the ball and earn every single yard. If he is throwing it, it's because he's trying to get rid of it quick and fast and he's making bad decisions. I think that that's where we win this game. I if if we do win this game. you can say the secondary as a or the defense as a whole, but I think if we can apply pressure, then I think that it just it rises the temperature of a true freshman quarterback having to make quick decisions and And having to make sure that he is on target of the same mindset as those receivers. and with everything that's going on with with Ryan Coleman Williams, you know, he his struggles with catching goal. Now he may come in there, he may catch every single ball. Killin Russell may have a an outbreak game. I don't know. But I just if we are going to win this game, I think it starts there. Kolton Myatt: No, I I agree. I think you have to control the clock. you can't allow them to have big plays and you've got to have a few yourself. that to me, that's what it comes down to. Because if you're making them run the ball, right, like you're they're control, then that means that they're not getting away from you. But you can't have you can't let them go, you know, have a seven minute drive and then you have a quick three and out. Like you can't let those situations happen. You've got to be able to match them on the clock scenario. Cause if you're having the possession as much as they are, then you you're not going to be far behind. So if you can I and I think we've got to create a turnover somewhere. You have to have that game defining play. Like when we beat Florida at home and we blocked that field goal, we ran it back, right? You have to have that type of defining play to beat these type of teams when they come in. And whatever it has to be, whether it has to be a pick six, whether it has to be a strip fumble, in a big scenario, blocked field go, whatever it is, when it happens, you have to cause it, but you have to take advantage of it. And the whole momentum can completely shift on that one play. I mean it can cause the entire game to go the other way. So if you can just find a way to find a way to create one of those moments, the crowd's gonna be in it. I mean the crowd's gonna be there. We I I I I mean it should be the most hype game that we have maybe ever saw. in a long time. I mean, it's been a while since maybe maybe Andre Woodson and then played LSU at home, you know. Mason: I was there. Kolton Myatt: Right, like I mean though that type of game it's been a long time since we've probably seen the anticipation behind Yeah. I mean a couple of the Yeah. Yeah. Mason: There was one Florida game that was really, really electric too. Yeah. Dillon: Mm-hmm. it was the one that he's talking about, where we beat at home. The fur we went and beat there and then I was at the where we f Kolton Myatt: Yeah. Dillon: flooded the f or Mason: Fuck Dillon: not flooded, where we stormed the field on the block pond. That was that was crazy. Kolton Myatt: Yeah. I mean we we had a couple years there where Florida was like our first SEC game and you went you play your first two or three easy opponents and then you win your first SEC game and you're like four and five and Dillon: Mm-hmm. Kolton Myatt: up before you get into the deeper your schedule and the whole you're you're ranked like twenty second. Yeah, those are those are a few high games. But this this means a lot. I mean this is look, you win this game and you're probably top you may be in the top twenty next week. Be honest with you. Mason: Mm-hmm. Kolton Myatt: I mean it depending on how you look. So it's a big game. It's a big culture setting. Just go in and at least compete. We don't wanna Dillon: Right. Kolton Myatt: see we do not wanna see a blowout. Don't come in here and get beat by twenty something, make us think that it's still old Kentucky. Show Mason: Yeah. Kolton Myatt: us something different in this type of game. And and let's Dillon: Well Kolton Myatt: you know. Dillon: well yeah I think that's important to talk about too. You know, listen, th this is still Alabama, right? Like that they're not gonna come in there and lay an egg. I truly don't think they will do that. They're still going to throw a punch, right? But it's like you just said there, Colton. Don't don't be the old Kentucky. Don't take the punch and and stay on the ground. Be a new new version of Kentucky, the Will Stein error. And get back up and knock them down. I I think the way that we respond and those players they have to believe and show the fans we belong. Like we belong here, right? Like we we talk about can we be the next Indiana? Can we truly be the next Indiana? It starts it starts Saturday, and and that's where you go and prove not only to yourselves, not to the fan base, but the entire country that the University of Kentucky football. belongs in the national discussion of us being next. And I think I th that that's the way I look at it. You gotta get back up because they are going to throw punches. Mason, final thoughts before we get into maybe possibly where we see this game going. What's your thoughts on on that? Mason: Yeah, no, I just to kinda reiterate, like there's there's Dillon: Come on, hype me up, big dog. Hide me up! Mason: there's there's no such thing as moral victories, right? But like you all said, like sometimes, you know, if we go in there we lose by three or we lose by a touchdown, like sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way. Right? But I I we just wanna see that difference where we're not in there and it's half time and we know the game's already over. Right? Like I went to the bandy game Two years ago? Yeah, not last year, two years ago. Right? And Vandy wasn't even great yet. And I mean Vandy just beat the brakes out of us, you know, and everybody in that stadium, it's like, Good floor, like we're back to old Kentucky football, you know, like we're not good anymore. So I I mean, I I'm just excited for this new Wheel Stein area. And I I said it, I think we can beat them. So I just want us to go in there, have some energy, compete, and at the end of the day, if we don't get the job done, we don't get the job done. But I just want us to go out there and compete. Dillon: Mason, give us your results. Where do you Kentucky, Alabama? What do you think's gonna happen? Mason: I'm gonna go thirty-one, twenty-seven. Cats, baby. And we're storming Kolton Myatt: Mm. Mason: the field and we're having a night. Dillon: He's changed on the scotin. He he said Mason: Mm-hmm. Dillon: that Alabama was gonna win whenever we gave our projections. Now he's predicting Mason: I'm changing it. Dillon: Okay. Hey, I mean I I I I hope we do. I love it. Mason: It's gonna be rockin' and Keelon Russell's gonna be shaking. And I'm gonna be yelling at him the whole time. Dillon: I hope he is shaking. for me I think that we are very competitive. I think that we lead the majority of the game and Alabama has a late score twenty-seven twenty-four Alabama. but I think it's a very, very competitive game. And I know there are no moral victories, but in the case of where we are at right now with the Will Stein error being year number two, having the third hardest schedule in the country or whatever it was, it's a moral victory because he he proved himself that we're here. We'll we can compete. But I do got Alabama winning 27 24. I hope I'm wrong. I hope I'm wrong. Kolton Myatt: yeah. Dillon: But Colton, so we got a Mason's got us winning. I got us losing. That's gonna come down to you, Bulldog, what do you got? Kolton Myatt: Man, I I've I like I said, I hope I'm wrong, but I I've got us losing also. but I've I I see a game going where we're back and forth all the way to like the mid third quarter and they take the lead. Like say we're seventeen seventeen mid third quarter, they score touchdown and it's the first time that we don't match Right? We have like a random quick three and out or we have a random turnover and then our defense gives up another score. And also more down two scores and we press a little bit and that's what separates is we have that one time where we're not able to match them. And I I'm projecting a 3120 probably Alabama win just because the spread's ten and a half and I know if I take the under, it's gonna be right at eleven. So so yeah, I Dillon: We didn't even talk about that. Kolton Myatt: it's a ten and a half thread. I mean, I really think Kentucky has a really good chance of covering, but I just know the moment that I take them to cover, it's gonna finish eleven. So I'm gonna say thirty-one to twenty, Alabama, Mason: Absolutely. Kolton Myatt: but I think it's a closer game than what it looks like at the end because I think it's head to head, like neck and neck all the way to about mid third, and they just go on a back to back where they scored two times without us scoring, and it's just too much for us to come back. Like we run out of time before we can make a comeback. Dillon: Yeah. And Mason, you you said it too, you know, worst case scenario is that it it it is a a blowout and you even have the thoughts of man, I thought this was going to be different. And you you you really can't say that and allow yourself to get there with it being only game number two. however though, I think that that's what, you know, is so fun about this season is the unknown. Right? It's like there's so much newness to this team. And it it's a it's a it's a breath of fresh air that we don't want to allow ourselves to even have that thought because of what Will Stein has brought in the offseason and leading up to this game. Like this game is going to be prime time. is it ABC is there NBC? I don't even Mason: A B A B C. Dillon: ABC prime time 330 kickoff. I for sure think if Texas and Ohio State wasn't planned that that college game day would be there. SEC Nation will be there though. Like you you have everything going in your direction. You have home field advantage. The BBN is going to be rocking. it's going to be a fun atmosphere for sure. whether you're there or not, the the build-up anticipation is still going to be really fun. And it's just an exciting time, I would say. So with that being said, so we've got Mason with the win. Myself and Colton have Kentucky losing. But I sure hope that me and Colton are wrong. And Mason, you can get on here and dog us and say, I told you, I told you, and I will definitely be okay with that. Mason: Yeah. Dillon: so with that being said, let's get into the next segment. do you all wanna take a break from Kentucky stuff Kentucky stuff and let's get into some LSU? Y'all wanna go BSM from the stands? Mason, what direction y'all wanna go, Colton? Mason: Doesn't matter. We we can jump into L S U, just take a little break. Dillon: Okay. So whoever's taking that, take it away. Kolton Myatt: That works. Yeah. So if you haven't heard of all the drama that's going around the LSU football program, just to break it down for you, essentially LSU, with all these obviously court rulings that have been going on that we've been talking about discussing it for basketball, the football big news that was coming out of all those court rulings was that LSU was going they had had two players that were just previously on this preseasons team for the Browns and the Saints, I believe. you know, two players that used to play for Lane Kiffin at O Miss. They were playing in preseason games on rosters. They got their releases from teams and was coming back to play for LSU. Was going to play. I mean literally just played in a preseason NFL game. I was an NFL player and is going was going to come back and join the LSU roster. That was what LSU decided to do. The court reelings essentially were going to allow it. And then the SEC stepped in. The SEC decided to flex their muscles and was like, No, we're not letting this happen. So we're gonna file these injunctions against LSU and we're gonna sit here and tell LC LSU and we're gonna threaten that if you do this, there's gonna be, you know, heck to pay. I mean, there there just is. You're gonna have You're gonna have consequences that are going to ruin your program. and they are they were trying to flex their muscles. And even as much as today, just to set the tone, today the LSU or the SEC come out and filed a court that is trying to rule that essentially allows them to sit there and say, We can expel LSU from the SEC. They are wanting the power, essentially the meat, to sit there and decide if they can. Get rid of LSU and the SEC. I mean, think about that, guys. I mean, the fact that the SEC is willing to throw away, you know, potential money that LSU brings in because they are so against what LSU is trying to do with bringing in these, you know, essentially NFL players. I mean, they I mean that's that's crazy. I mean, can you imagine just LSU Hell I mean, we've always known LSU as being a powerhouse SEC school. The thought of them actually being kicked out of the conference. I mean, how bad do you have to I mean, how bad do you have to be getting to to to do that? But I mean what's what's y'all's initial thoughts? But by the way, in case y'all didn't know why we were on this show, there was a notification that LSU just added two people to their roster that that completes their roster, so they will not be adding these these NFL players. So they have gave in. And they've completed their roster, so they will not be adding the NFL players. So they have gave in to the SEC. The SEC flexed their muscles and they won. They they won. LSU has backed down. But still, just in general, what's go ahead, Mason, what's your what's your thoughts on the situation? Is the SEC in the right? Like are they like is this crazy? Is LSU pushed it too far? Or is it you know, can you blame LSU and Lane Kiffin for wanting to do this? Like, is it because of what's going on? You know, Lane Kiffin said in his press conference, if we don't get Someone else is going to. Dillon: But Mason: Yeah. Kolton Myatt: So like, you know, and his thought is, hey, these guys didn't get five for five. The guys last year, you know, could have played six years, or this guy, there might be a guy that's playing on the opponent against them that might be in his seventh year of college. So why are these guys not technically getting I mean, he had some decent points, but who is more in the right here? Mason: I I think for starters, I think the SEC kinda got backed to a corner, right? Because th this all we've been talking about, this all falls back on the NCAA for allowing this and not setting these rules and guidelines and boundaries. And I mean, I I I'll be honest with you, like I don't necessarily blame Lane Kiffin for trying to do something, right? Like Nobody really came out and said anything until he started to do this and then they start all this push back and now LSU's find like, okay, you know, whatever, if you're gonna do all this, then we're not gonna do it. But like i if you're sitting here thinking, like you just said, I mean, he made some great points. Like if these guys have guys on those teams that have been playing for seven years, then why can't I I go out here and get this guy? He never signed an NFL contract. It's no different than some of these guys in the NBA. Jackson Collier, for example, who played in the summer league and apparently in exhibit ten, but he's coming back to play college, so what's the difference? Right? Like I mean, I I guess it's preseason, but there's no summer league for NFL. Right? Like so I I I don't necessarily blame LSU and and I don't blame the SEC either. Like the SEC's sitting here saying, Okay, this has gone too far, you can't do this or we're doing you know, you're getting all these punishments. You'll be expelled from the SEC, blah blah blah. I don't necessarily blame either one. This all falls back on the NCAA for allowing all this to drag on and happen. And at this point it's it's gonna come down to the conferences standing up and, you know deciding what they were gonna allow and what they aren't gonna allow and obviously it has hurt Kentucky too, right? You know, Mark Mitchell. I mean we had him we had him enrolled at UK and had him committed to UK and then they come out and say all intra conference transfer rule. You can't transfer in the same conference. I mean, like w what are we doing here? Like this is all bogus. It it it blows my mind. It really does. Like college sports is just it's a clown show right now is what it is. It's an absolute clown show. Kolton Myatt: For I mean for sure there is. All right, DG, where do you think the like do you think this this is begin hearing that they've signed two guys, they've essentially backed down. They're not gonna fight it. They don't want to risk it. I and obviously if you didn't watch, LSU put up a pretty good performance without these guys, right? Like they looked Mason: They're really good. Kolton Myatt: really good against a Clemson team. I know Clemson's fell off a little bit, but still fifty one to ten. Over Clemson. I mean, that's a dominant performance. They looked really good, LSU did. But it essentially they've backed down. Do you think that this is kind of the pathway for conferences to take for this to somewhat change these things, right? We th we we talk about it being the wild, wild west. Are these the sh are the conferences having to be the sheriffs to the point that it's like, hey, you know, the NCAA, but we've got the freedom to rule whatever we want, you know, based on these bylaws. And you can sit there and do that, but you can't come play in the SEC. I mean that's Dillon: Yeah, I I got a couple of thoughts on it. I f first off, I I I don't I don't think that the SEC would have actually dismissed LSU. First off, I don't think that they would have got rid of them. I don't. so that's my first thought on it. Second thought is I agree with Mason totally that this is the NCAA. Like look at look at what you're doing. You you're having you're having a conference have to punish or flex its muscles on one of its most prestigious programs. Like you you you're literally having to put them like Mason said in a corner where they're having to go against each other. And and you know I I I think of of it this way too, you know, looking at Kentucky basketball, that like the success of Kentucky basketball is the success of at the SEC. Same way with with LSU, the success for For LSU is the success for for for the SEC. So like it it's sad to see that you're having to basically have the SEC double down and go against their own conference in a sense. and I think a lot of it too, you know, like is this like the beginning of like what these other conferences are going to do? I think honestly, it's situational. I do so. The reason why I bring that up is because thinking of the points you all just made, LSU didn't struggle, right? They they they they they didn't struggle with with this that game against Clemson. So when looking at it in that sense, yeah, they didn't need these two other guys. But let's let's look at maybe the LSU basketball program. They need guys, right? So Mason: Ha ha Dillon: what what's gonna happen when that comes back around? It's situational. BYU Jackson Collier is huge for them. So, yes, I do think that you could possibly see this, but also I wouldn't be surprised if you see a little bit of a fight back from these teams with their conferences, given their situation of where their team is at. LSU didn't need it, right? It's okay. It'd been awesome to have these two extra pros, but look at what we did here against Clemson. But you you let let's play hypothetical here. What if LSU loses that game? What if they really, really struggle? I mean, I don't know that two guys would make that big of a difference in a football game, but they could maybe. So then you may see a little bit more pushback with that. But i at the end of the day, it's sad because of where we are at with college sports. that's kind of been the talk for the past day and a half, along with the Michigan thing that happened, which we haven't even talked about. but i i i i i i it it's it's a sad situation, and yes, you may see that here going out, but I think it is all situational. Kolton Myatt: Yeah, that's a that's a good take. It's a lot going on right now with the SEC. But f as of right now, based on what they just added these two players, it looks like LSU is backing down in the moment. So maybe maybe the smoke will clear a little bit. Dillon: well let's go to BSM from the stands. Coton, I think you got us on that too. Kolton Myatt: Yeah, it's just just one from your clip last week, the from the episode that you did with Tyler and Daly. we had a guy on here that I thought it was a pretty good take, 'cause I think a lot of us have been you know, feeling that way and in the sense of of what's going on with the current basketball. So this is with the basketball team. I know we've been talking a lot of football. We're but we're gonna throw this over to the basketball team just real quick. But essentially the guy says Our goal at UK is to compete for the SEC title. This team is a fourth, fifthest place team in the SEC as constructed right now. We will be alright, maybe even a second weekend team in the NCAA tournament. But is that our standard now? I always love my team and will support them until the end, but I feel like our standards are fall are falling if we continue down this road. And man, I I just feel like that hits a lot of what we've talked about. about to a T, right? Like I think that's all we have. Like he said, I love my thing. We love Kentucky basketball. Right? We love it to the point because of the greatness that we've had at Kentucky basketball. We didn't develop a love just 'cause it's our state. We developed a love because our team wasn't the fourth or fifth best team. Our team was number one in the SEC for so many years. And it was always expected to be number one. And now we've just kind of, you know Now all of a sudden we're just getting this middle of the pack team. They yeah, they're pretty good. They'll win some great games. They'll probably lose some games they shouldn't lose. But at the end of the day, they're going to fall that first or second weekend. And you just don't have a whole lot of hope going into a Final Four or a championship weekend. And so with with that being said, you know, I my thought is I think this guy's right. Like we're how have we our standards lowered? Right. And I think that a lot of the crowd has. I think that that's a big argument amongst the fan base right now, right? You have half this fan base who knows what the expectations of Kentucky is. And so their their passion and love comes out in the sense of I want to be competitive. I want to be the top of the top. And the other side of the fan base says, I love Kentucky, so I'm just happy with whatever they are. I think both sides have a very passionate and love for the for the ball team. But At the end of the day, I don't think neither you can sit there and say, you're not a true fan if you don't think this, or you're not a true fan if you don't do this. Look, I think you can sit there and say, and I I'm in agreement with this guy. I I love Kentucky basketball. I love everything about Kentucky sports. And my love for them comes with a passion that I want them to be a top of the top team. And I expect it from them. And so fourth to fifth team, it's not worth lowering the standards. but that's just my personal opinion. What do you think, D G? Dillon: Yeah, well real quick for the ones who listen, Mason had to get off there. I think his computer was about to die. but is that the one did did we actually respond to it too? What what did it say? Kolton Myatt: Yeah, you you did respond to it. You did. I have to b I have to go back and look. I I I I think you you talked I think you essentially s agree that it was a great point. and that you appreciated like that type of 'cause that's a good comment, you know. I think that's a a reasonable comment. I think that's kinda what we do on here. Right? We we we give a reasonable comment. We're not trying to hate on anyone, it's just like the same thing with Pope. Right? We don't hate Pope. We love Mark Pope. We think he's a great guy, I think he's a good coach. It's just but that doesn't mean that every time that he doesn't deserve criticism, for being at the state of Kentucky. So I think that I'm trying to find it here, DG, but yeah, you got Dillon: Well, I'll I'll talk while you're trying to find if you Kolton Myatt: it. I got it right here. Do you wanna do you want me to read the response? So our response back Dillon: Yeah, go ahead and read it just 'cause I d I I wanna remember Kolton Myatt: was, you know, we hear you. Yes, if we continue down this road, it seems as if that is going to be the standard and that's not okay. With that being said, standards shouldn't be met until it's proven on the court. I guess that's the biggest thing right now. How do we know the standard hasn't been met yet with this current team without seeing them play? Are they on paper the standard? No. But what can we do about that given that where we are right now? And nothing changing for this season with Mark Pope being the coach. Until they prove us that they are not meeting the standard, I just believe it's let's be optimistic and give these guys and Pope a chance. And so I mean that's that's true, right? We we we Yes, we don't but there's a lot of unknowns. We've said it the whole time. there's Dillon: Yeah. Kolton Myatt: so many question marks with some of these players that we don't know. I mean they could be they could be stars in the making for all we know, and they may not be. Right? And we're gonna Dillon: Right. Kolton Myatt: hope for the latter and that they are. But yeah, I mean, you know, what what's your thoughts on it, DG? Dillon: Well, I think that you know the biggest thing for me when looking at when you're saying lower the standard, I think by no means any Kentucky fan of the right mindset is lowering the standards, right? But at the same time, I think the most the hardest thing that we have really had to kind of come back to planet Earth is that winning is hard. Winning the NCAA tournament It there's only one. And and it's it's not like football. It's not like baseball. Like you there's so much that can happen in one basketball game. It's not a series, it's not like the NBA. You have one chance, and it might be your night, and it might not be your night. Now, does that mean you should still lose to an Oakland or a St. Peter's? Absolutely not. You should not do that. However, though, the standards is not. lowered. Is it accepted now? I think you can make that argument that some people are getting there. Should it be? No. However, though, with all that being stated, I think that for one to state that our standards are lowered because we have Mark Pope is i it's not fair for him. Because I know that we've got on here and we've talked about how you can't do the injury thing. You you you can't, right? But I do see where people can make that argument. I get it. You know, like he's had a couple of really good key players go down. Also think back the first year. He overachieved last year, underachieved, first year on paper, not better than last year on paper at the beginning stages. And boy, were we wrong on both of those teams when looking at it where we were at at the beginning of the season. I think for me i is that I understand where that fan is coming from and by no means are we lowering the standards. But at this point in the season, that's why that's stated on there, it's what else can we do? Mark Pope isn't going anywhere for this season. He's gonna be our coach. We're not gonna lower the standards by no means, but why not be happy? Why not be optimistic? Why would you like that that that takes the complete fun out of being a fan? Like, why would we want to do that to ourselves? You know Yes, we might get back to where we were last year, but let's actually wait for that to happen and see how this all plays out. So I and that and I I do love hearing those comments because I I think that that it that it is something that you can you can hear out, right? Like that that that's an argument. Okay, I get where you're coming from. However though, like that's where I like putting that well, let's let's pump the brakes though, because we're nobody's lowering the standards. It's just trying to be a A critic when there's a time to be a critic and then let's praise when there's time to be praised. But for where we're at right now, let's just enjoy this this time of the of the the unknown, right? Like the the excitement that okay, this team could be. They could now, could they not be? Yes, but they could be. So that's kind of where I'm at. Kolton Myatt: Yeah. No, I mean I think that's the that's the place that we need to be. I mean, at the end of the day, look, if you think positive, if you think of it this way, if you're against Mark Pope, if you if you don't believe that he should have the job, if you don't believe this team's what it should be, you know, here here's the thing. Why not be optimistic? Why not hope that we win a championship? Because here's the thing, if Mark Pope is here for the next ten years, that means something went right. That means that we we become elite. We were making runs. Right? This isn't Syracuse. Right? We're not, we're not, you know, Beheim had his run, and then the last 10 years he probably didn't need to be there. Right? But they weren't going to fire a legendary coach. Right. We we moved on from Cal. He started to lose his touch. We brought in Mark Pope. Is he the guy for the job? We're still waiting to be seen. He's had his ups and he's had his Dillon: We'll find out this season, I think, though. Kolton Myatt: ups and downs. So like why not be positive? Because if he If we have a bad season, yes, it is disappointing as a fan base. But the light at the end of the tunnel is that maybe there's a change, right? Another change that gets us excited, like a Will Stein, right? We don't know really what Will Stein's gonna bring, but the excitement around the program is different. And maybe that's you know, maybe that's what comes with not having a successful season. Or Mark Pope finds his groove. He finds the lineup that he finally, you know, he builds a team, he shows us what he's capable of. He takes on pressure and he leads his team to an elite eight or a or a final four. And he starts to find that rhythm. He starts to get recruits in here. Everything flips completely. And so we one of the either one of those can have a positive to it if we'll think of it in that way. So we might as well enter it that way because you know, I mean, why not? You know, we can sit here and be miserable with everything that we found. It doesn't mean that we're not gonna be critical on here at times. Right? Everyone deserves credit. It it it Dillon: we'll be critical when there's time. Kolton Myatt: does not matter. If he if he has earned criticism, it does Hall of Famers earn criticism. It does not matter. But that doesn't mean that we hate this guy, that we don't want him to win, that we don't want we want this team to be the best it can be. And we're just gonna speak the truth about how their current stage are. But until then, we might as well root for you know, go cats. Dillon: Yeah, absolutely. Why not? that's why I keep saying, like it's gonna take the fun out of being a fan. well, hey, we are running it's right now at the hour five minute mark. we didn't get into our picks, but we've already talked to you about our Kentucky, Alabama picks. we may or may not go live maybe sometime this week and we could do some picks or something like that. But thanks for tuning in for this episode of Bluegrass State of Mind. If you haven't followed us, please do that. Go subscribe to our YouTube channel. Follow us on TikTok, Spotify, Apple, Podcasts, Facebook, and Instagram. And man, Colin, it's gonna be a fun one on Saturday. Let's hope that me and you were wrong, and Mason was right. This has been another episode of Bluegrass State of Mind. As always, more than ever, Kolton Myatt: Cats. Dillon: go cats.