The day many Kentucky fans have been waiting on for a year and a half now is almost here: freshman Drew Barker will be UK’s starting quarterback this Saturday vs. the Charlotte 49ers. The anticipation has been slowly building ever since the Kentucky native chose the ‘Cats over other higher-profile SEC teams like South Carolina, Tennessee and Ole Miss.

Patrick Towles possesses a great arm and great running ability, but the team is in a state of turmoil following a loss last Saturday at Vanderbilt, the team’s fifth straight. Sometimes a simple change can be enough to invigorate an entire team, shake an opponent’s cage, or both. Luckily for the ‘Cats, this week’s opponent is likely to feel overwhelmed even if Mark Stoops himself lines up under center.

Charlotte is actually on a longer losing streak than the Wildcats, having lost eight consecutive games after winning their first two contests against Georgia State and Presbyterian College. The team is tied for 117th in scoring in the FBS at 19 points per game. They also allow 35 points per game, good enough for a 109th ranking nationally.

This combo matches up perfectly with a Kentucky team which, save for the Vanderbilt game, has performed poorly on the defensive side of the ball but has shown an ability to move the ball through the air and score. The Wildcats may exceed the average of 249.3 yards per game that the 49ers defense has been allowing through the air so far this season, even if it is Barker’s first career start.

Charlotte has one conference game remaining, a road game vs. a mediocre Rice Owls team on Nov. 28. Nothing is worse than losing every game on your conference schedule, and the 49ers would surely boost their odds of avoiding such a feat if they were to head into Houston with a victory over Kentucky tucked in their back pocket.

Unfortunately, Kentucky also has a few ducks they are hoping to get in a row before its season finale against arch-rival Louisville. Though Charlotte could be classified as a “trap game,” be assured that Stoops and his team understand this game is an absolute must-win if there is any shot of heading to a bowl game and salvaging a season which is currently collapsing.

For those who have forgotten, Stanley “Boom” Williams got off to just about the hottest start imaginable this season with a long touchdown run on the team’s first offensive possession of 2015. Look for Williams to break loose against what can only be classified as a lousy rush defense (168 yards per game against mediocre competition) and for the rest of the team to respond positively to the Boom effect.

Should UK handle its business, the Louisville showdown will take on a significance and weight that it hasn’t held for years. Stoops just has to keep the bottom from completely falling out before the Battle of the Bluegrass.

Stoops knows a win will make that seat he is sitting on a whole lot cooler, and the Charlotte game will serve as the perfect opportunity for he and his staff to fully iron out their game plan in preparation for the season’s biggest game.