Let’s be blunt. Kentucky’s loss last Saturday was devastating.

Desmond Howard, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit thought the Wildcats would win. Matt Stinchcomb and Greg McElroy from the SEC Network thought the Wildcats would win. Even a few Florida fans may have thought the Wildcats would win.

Most importantly, the Wildcats thought the Wildcats would win.

But last Saturday was last Saturday. Kentucky now has a new challenge ahead of them, and not just in the form of the Missouri Tigers. After its first loss in an anticipated season, Kentucky now has to prove it can regroup, recover and return to its purpose — postseason play.

Missouri may be the right opponent against which to prove it. In the course of the season so far, Missouri’s offense has seemed to grow weaker instead of stronger. The last three weeks have shown the Tigers three consecutive non-conference opponents, and the Tigers’ scores have gone from 34 points to 27 points to 9 points.

Missouri’s weak offense is an obvious chance for the Kentucky defense to hype up its team. The Wildcats have some talented defenders like Khalid Henderson who led the team in tackles last Saturday, Josh Forrest, and every player who has been able to make a move on the quarterback. The defense did a fine job against Florida, limiting the Gators to two scores and also taking the ball away on an interception.

All that’s left is for Kentucky’s offense to ride that tide of defensive momentum and finish the job. Here is where regrouping must come in, because the offense suffered against the Gators. Patrick Towles, as the leader of the Air Raid offense, completed only 33 percent of his passes and threw two picks. His receivers contributed to the problem with drops. In the end, the Wildcats did not score a single touchdown.

This coming Saturday, Towles and company are going up against the best pass defense and best overall defense in the SEC so far this season in Missouri. Taking a look at the numbers may bring a little ease, as Missouri’s defense has allowed progressively more passing yards per week, from a paltry 56 yards in Week 1 to 156 against Connecticut. However, the Tigers are still a force on defense, from Kentrell Brothers with 10 tackles last game to Walter Brady, who sacked Connecticut’s quarterback twice and had two tackles for a loss.

The pressure on Towles will be heavy, because if he does not play well again the Kentucky offense will not be able to overcome Missouri’s defense. But if Towles is able to rise to the occasion, if Kentucky’s defense can play heavy, explosive and create turnovers, the Wildcats could have the pleasure of not only being halfway to bowl eligibility but also of having bragging rights over its division’s back-to-back champion.

Kentucky’s upcoming matchup against Missouri is another statement-making opportunity, just as big as the game against Florida. The moment has come to learn from mistakes and become stronger, better because of them.

MISSOURI TIGERS CLOSER LOOK

Top Week 3 player, offense: Ish Witter, So., RB — So far this season, Witter has carried the ball 41 times for 131 yards. Last week against Connecticut, he was the workhorse back, carrying the ball 15 more times than the next running back and going for 54 yards.

Top Week 3 player, defense: Walter Brady, Fr., DE — Brady has already shown himself as a major disruption force on the defense and he’s only a freshman. Last week, he made two solo tackles, two sacks, two tackles for a loss, and accounted for a quarterback hit. This Tiger is one to watch as the season and his college career progresses.

Top Week 3 player, special teams: Corey Fatony, Fr., P — Last week, Fatony punted six times for a total of 235 yards and an average of 39.2 yards per punt. His longest punt was a respectable 51 yards, and was able to down two inside the 20.