Mark Knight is an OG of Fansided and loves watching and writing about all sports for Wildcat Blue Nation, with a major focus on football, basketball, and baseball. He received an emphasis in journalism from a local CC and helped 710ESPN do some football game day coverage in the early days of website journalism. He also coaches high school baseball locally in the Tacoma area. This is his very first appearance on the Blogle and it’s good.
Hey man – it’ll be fun. I’m good with you just using the site logo for the headshot and feel free to steal the bio from there too.
1. What is a Kentucky fan’s first thought of Auburn football at this exact moment?
We have it better than Auburn for the time being. At least we don’t have Hugh Freeze; it could be worse. We at least have one win in the SEC. However, there are certainly nerves that if Auburn beats us this weekend, we are officially moved fully on to basketball.
2. Is Stoops done?
His contract is a mess. He could ride it out as long as he wants because they would have to pay him the remainder at 100% now and 80% in December. So he’s owed multi-millions if he doesn’t leave or quit on his own. Right now, it’s around $44 million, which means he’s definitely not done.
And truly, fans are mixed about him. He brought us out of the dumps but can’t seem to bring us any further. So, some are ready to build him a statue, and others are ready to move on.
3. Who are your two favorite Auburn Tigers of all time and why?
Haha, this is a fun question. I was barely around for this, but Bo Jackson has to be number one, right? But truly, from fandom, where I remember really well, I think it’s Cadillac Williams. What a stud of a runner that guy was.
4. Name two Wildcats that Auburn fans should look out for and why?
Deone Walker is wrecking offensive lines right now. He is getting so many double teams that it is allowing other players to get to the quarterback or get a TFL. He is definitely someone to watch play this weekend.
Barion Brown single-handedly almost kept us in the game against Florida. He had a monster receiving touchdown off a flea-flicker and quickly followed it up with a kickoff return touchdown. He is explosive and fun to watch.
5. Which two Tigers scare you the most and why?
I’ll keep it in the same realm as the two players I just mentioned. I think Jalen McLeod is a monster, and he already has 5 sacks on the season. Our offensive line is the weakest part of our already weak team, so McLeod could do some serious damage.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith has a 20-yard-per-reception average. That’s crazy, and with six touchdowns to go with it, he seems like someone who loves explosive plays, which is what killed us against Florida. If Auburn wins, they will rip the playbook out of Florida’s design and draw up explosive plays for Lambert-Smith.
6. Where will each team have an advantage over the other?
Kentucky’s defense has been stellar, except for the Florida game. They held Ole Miss in check, limited Georgia, and had a way of getting in the quarterback’s head. This could be a problem for Auburn. I think that’s what Kentucky fans will be looking for: to get back to that game design.
Auburn’s advantage may be in the same department, getting to the quarterback and finding sacks or at least making Vandagriff get off his mark. Auburn has two players with 5 sacks each; they need to get into the backfield and create problems.
7. Which matchup will decide the game?
The trenches. Neither offense is impressive, so it’ll come down to the offensive and defensive lines for both teams.
8. What is your analysis/score prediction for the game?
I predicted the Florida/Kentucky game would be low-scoring, and I was very wrong. Florida blew the doors off and dominated. If that Kentucky team shows up, it’s bad. However, if the Kentucky team that played Ole Miss or Georgia is there this weekend, then it’ll come down to the final possessions. I’m going with 28-24 Kentucky. Fingers crossed.
9. Where will Auburn and Kentucky end up this season?
In the basement of the SEC. Neither team looks like they have an easy path to a bowl game. They may both be on the outside looking in.
10. Lastly, is it basketball season yet?
Amen. Go Cats!
