Louisville @ Kentucky Game Thread.

[Matt Dillon]

Now we are speaking the same language. He is by no means perfect and I think his ceiling (with this staff) is eight or nine wins a year with the occasional upset of a top 15 team. If we got a legit DC that might go up some. What he needs is a mentor hanging around the program. You would think he would be able to reach out to his brothers, especially Bob, and say "Hey, how should I fix this?" I know he's learned this whole thing on the fly, and he's done a decent job of bringing the program to (almost) what it should be, but he's still making the mistakes he made year one and two. Realistically we are two blown coverages and an exceptional throw and catch away from 9-3.

FWIW, I think he's building the team the way it needs to be done to compete in the SEC. From the inside out. It really hurt losing Tubman, Hatcher, Meant, and having Elam be a bust. That stuff is fine for an established program but not for one being built. The oline depth and size is there. We have the talent at LB but zero discipline. Kash should have played more, Jones needs to keep it together, but with them, Brown, Ware, and Paschal running around that is a good group with NFL players. We have the size and depth with the DBs but zero coaching. I REALLY wish they would teach them to locate the ball.

Losing Badet, Boom, and Baker hurt. Big time. Again, for an established program it happens but for one being built? Ouch. You never expect to lose two of your top three receivers and your home run running back. I like our young receivers with Baker coming back. The TE talent is there but under utilized. Overall we have a big, strong, and somewhat deep football team.

But man oh man the coaching. I think Gran can be good enough, but I am no fan of his. Unless we need less than two yards Benny should never run the wildcat, Conrad and Bowden need more touches, and I wouldn't mind seeing less screens considering we didn't have a burner like Badet.

We are in desperate need of two things: A well known and proven DC. Make someone the highest paid DC in the country. We get that and a DB coach and I think we are easily a nine win team this year. Give me nine wins and I can take three blowouts.

I agree with everything you say. I'm just concerned that coach Stoops may have reached his ceiling.

[catfaninin]

And, I think we can all say we would rather have someone else. Saban, Meyer, Miles, etc. But, realistically, who out there would you rather have that if we fired Stoops today we could actually get? I don't know if Leach would leave a top 20 team he has built. Maybe Mullen if he doesn't go to Tennessee? Would Miles consider it? Strong?

I wouldn't call Mullen realistic. With all the offers he has turned down I can't see him taking the UK job.

[Matt Dillon]

And, I think we can all say we would rather have someone else. Saban, Meyer, Miles, etc. But, realistically, who out there would you rather have that if we fired Stoops today we could actually get? I don't know if Leach would leave a top 20 team he has built. Maybe Mullen if he doesn't go to Tennessee? Would Miles consider it? Strong?

I would take Leach, Mullen or Strong in a heartbeat. Miles, I don't think so. When the time comes to hire another coach, I'd like to see one hired that is young enough to stay around for awhile.

[teamchemistry15]

Overall, I think Stoops has done an "OK job". Having said that, none of us should be satisfied with just an "OK job." We need to tie any further contract extensions to SUCCESS on the field. STOP rewarding mediocrity!

The extensions and buyout are ridiculous but that's not on Stoops or the fans. Good for him. I am not ok with the season knowing we should have won nine, but I will settle for a seven win year (especially if we win the bowl game) and be patient for next season. But accepting the season as a fan isn't rewarding mediocrity. It's me looking at the fact we were three plays from being 9-3. One of which was one of the better throws and catches I had seen all year. Realistically I don't think we will ever be a top ten program. But, if you give me a nine win team every year I am ok with rewarding that. This year we were dang close.

[Matt Dillon]

But to start over with a different coach would be a tremendous step backwards.

Unless Barnhart could catch lightening in a bottle. I'd say, with the players we have now, there are coaches that could come in and make the team instantly better.

[johnkyblue]

I figured it would be that the officials robbed us.

There IS a reason why the away team always wins that game. The away team controls the officiating.

Lamar Jackson is a better passer and yes, the wind didn't bother him as much.

MacGuinness missed a short to mid-range FG, he's the best player on the team, the wind affected him.

I stayed until the final whistle.

[teamchemistry15]

I agree with everything you say. I'm just concerned that coach Stoops may have reached his ceiling.

He may have with this staff. But, with a good DC we could've won two more games. If the ceiling for our program with him is nine wins a year I will take that and be fine with contract extensions. I don't ever expect us to be a top ten program. But a program with nine wins, the occasional upset of a top 10 team, and a consistent top 25 ranking and I will be tickled pink.

[johnkyblue]

Unless Barnhart could catch lightening in a bottle. I'd say, with the players we have now, there are coaches that could come in and make the team instantly better.

But they would leave.

[teamchemistry15]

I would take Leach, Mullen or Strong in a heartbeat. Miles, I don't think so. When the time comes to hire another coach, I'd like to see one hired that is young enough to stay around for awhile.

Realistically I would like to give Stoops another two seasons. Now, that is unless we don't win at least seven next season. But, give him two more years and if he isn't at that nine win mark then we need to offer the entire state to PJ Fleck.

[George]

There IS a reason why the away team always wins that game. The away team controls the officiating.

Lamar Jackson is a better passer and yes, the wind didn't bother him as much.

MacGuinness missed a short to mid-range FG, he's the best player on the team, the wind affected him.

I stayed until the final whistle.

The wind was #3,621 on a very, very long list of issues.

[Matt Dillon]

He may have with this staff. But, with a good DC we could've won two more games. If the ceiling for our program with him is nine wins a year I will take that and be fine with contract extensions. I don't ever expect us to be a top ten program. But a program with nine wins, the occasional upset of a top 10 team, and a consistent top 25 ranking and I will be tickled pink.

I doubt if you could find very many UK fb fans (myself included) that wouldn't be happy with that. I'm just not sure coach Stoops is the one to take us there.

[teamchemistry15]

But they would leave.

Every player we have would leave if we got a new coach?

[teamchemistry15]

I doubt if you could find very many UK fb fans (myself included) that wouldn't be happy with that. I'm just not sure coach Stoops is the one to take us there.

It's definitely TBD. I wish he would hire Bob as an advisor.

[Matt Dillon]

Realistically I would like to give Stoops another two seasons. Now, that is unless we don't win at least seven next season. But, give him two more years and if he isn't at that nine win mark then we need to offer the entire state to PJ Fleck.

Agree.

[teamchemistry15]

The wind was #3,621 on a very, very long list of issues.

There must have been a big gust on that missed screen pass that would've been a walk in touchdown. That wind can be brutal on those seven yard passes.