3 problematic Kentucky players vs. Texas

Dane Key, WR

Kentucky's best offensive weapon at the skill positions is junior wide receiver Dane Key. The Wildcats' leading receiver, with over 650 receiving yards and 44 catches, Key is the type of big-bodied possession receiver who could give the Longhorns problems if they can't effectively cover him in the secondary this weekend.

At 6-foot-3 and 210-pounds, Key excels in winning physical battles one-on-one on the outside and bringing down tough contested 50/50 balls. He's got a large catch radius and is Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff's go-to target and often the initial read for him on passing plays.

I'd expect Key to be an early target for Vandagriff and the Kentucky offense to try and establish a decent passing game against Texas's top-ranked pass defense in the SEC this season.

Another wideout that the Longhorns must be prepared for on defense, and on special teams with the coverage units, is speedy junior Barion Brown. The career leader all-time in SEC kickoff return touchdowns and average kick yards per return, Brown is always a threat to break off big plays when he finds a gap and room to run.

In combination, Key and Brown encompass over half (119/232, 51.3 percent) of Vandagriff and the Kentucky offense's targets in the passing game this season. If Texas effectively limits the production of Key and Brown for the Kentucky passing game at receiver this weekend, it could be a long day for the Wildcats' offense, trying to keep the chains moving against the Longhorns' stifling defense.

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