Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
Rich Brooks has been around enough good defenses during his long and distinguished career to know a good one when he sees one.
| |  |
| | Mark Zerof/US Presswire |
| | Rich Brooks is looking forward to playing Alabama on Saturday. |
He doesn't mind saying it: This Kentucky defense is pretty good.
Is it a great one? Ask him after the Wildcats get back from Tuscaloosa this weekend.
"This is an opportunity to see where we stand in the SEC hierarchy and whether or not we'll have an impact on this league," Brooks said. "This is a game where we're going to find out if our defense has really improved. We know it's better, but is it up to the standards of an SEC defense?"
The numbers say Kentucky's defense has few peers. The Wildcats are first nationally in scoring defense and have only allowed two touchdowns in four games. Opponents have moved inside their red zone only three times and managed just one field goal.
The tackle tandem of Corey Peters and Myron Pryor certainly looks SEC-ready. End Jeremy Jarmon is one of the better pass-rushers in the league, and cornerback Trevard Lindley is one of the best shutdown corners in the league.
They just haven't done it against SEC competition this season.
The Louisville win on the road to open the season was impressive, but Norfolk State, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky aren't going to be confused anytime soon for Alabama, LSU and Florida.
Even Brooks admits that the Wildcats (4-0) will need to play mistake-free on offense to have a chance. They'll also probably need to take the ball away from Alabama to give the offense some short fields.
"We will have to see if our ability to stop the run has improved against a team that takes great pride in lining up and telling you they're going to bloody your nose and then go about bloodying your nose time after time after time," Brooks said.
If the Wildcats are as loose as their coach, they ought to be in good shape.
Brooks, in breaking down the Crimson Tide earlier this week, remarked how well coached Alabama was and then added, "They ought to be. They have the highest paid coach in the country."
It doesn't appear that Kentucky will be full strength for this game. Starting linebacker Micah Johnson, backup tackle Ricky Lumpkin and backup quarterback Randall Cobb are all doubtful with ankle sprains.
