Kentucky @ S Carolina Game Thread.

[DA#23]

Honestly didn’t expect us to beat USC last night, and I would have felt that way immediately after the Florida loss as well. But I didn’t think we would have basically mailed it in already. Very disappointing from top to bottom, and I’m happy I was outside grilling through much of the game.

[UK39]

I don’t blame stoops for the QB situation, but the offense as a whole should’ve looked much better. I am not sure we would’ve fared much better with Terry out there last night.

I don't know how you don't blame Stoops for that mess. Gilmore should have taken a much more important role once Wilson got hurt. The fact that they came into this season with only 2 QBs ready to play falls on Stoops, or when 1 got hurt, or when the other got hurt and no one was there to step up. They went into SC with no QB, how does that happen at this level? If Smith is still hurt, get Gilmore ready as he ran the same spread offense in HS just different terminology.

[Spiritof96]

What makes anyone think WW is good enough to play at all? He was recruited to help land his teammate. If LB is out there it’s because the staff KNOWS Wood isn’t the answer.

It aint about bout being a KY kid, it’s about who can play.

[Dwight Schrute]

I don't know how you don't blame Stoops for that mess. Gilmore should have taken a much more important role once Wilson got hurt. The fact that they came into this season with only 2 QBs ready to play falls on Stoops, or when 1 got hurt, or when the other got hurt and no one was there to step up. They went into SC with no QB, how does that happen at this level? If Smith is still hurt, get Gilmore ready as he ran the same spread offense in HS just different terminology.

Because a bunch of the QB mess from this year is bad luck. I'm assuming that Stoops knows more than you and there's a reason GIlmore hasn't seen much action.

[Dwight Schrute]

What makes anyone think WW is good enough to play at all? He was recruited to help land his teammate. If LB is out there it’s because the staff KNOWS Wood isn’t the answer.

It aint about bout being a KY kid, it’s about who can play.

I question this too. Nothing irritates me more than message board commentators that pile on a kid and tell a coach what he should do despite not seeing one minute of practice.

I promise you that Sawyer wouldn't be playing dinged up if we had a better option.

[Lighthouse]

I question this too. Nothing irritates me more than message board commentators that pile on a kid and tell a coach what he should do despite not seeing one minute of practice.

I promise you that Sawyer wouldn't be playing dinged up if we had a better option.

I agree, but is not having a better option because they're not preparing other players enough? I don't know the answer, but we have some talent on the roster at the QB position.

[Spiritof96]

I agree, but is not having a better option because they're not preparing other players enough? I don't know the answer, but we have some talent on the roster at the QB position.

We started camp this season with 3 QBs that could play if called upon. (about the number any program would expect to have)

We had Terry Wilson returning starter. We had serviceable backup Sawyer Smith. We had third-string Nick (might not be ready to play yet but could play) Scalzo. Then we had a freshmen recruited as a long term project (Gilmore) and some scout team kids.


We entered camp appropriately staffed at QB. We left camp with a blown-out knee of the third-string kid, now short-handed with two serviceable options and a bag of chips.

After one more freak injury we are down to a dinged up serviceable backup, a bag of chips, or playing a WR at QB. It might not be obvious to those scoring at home, but QB in the SEC is a pretty difficult job, and one can't just wave a magic wand and turn a 4th string QB (read Scout team QB) into a serviceable starter.

The idea that the coaches have failed in recruiting or development of QB's is horseapples.

[Dwight Schrute]

I agree, but is not having a better option because they're not preparing other players enough? I don't know the answer, but we have some talent on the roster at the QB position.

I'm just not sure how much can be expected from the QBs we have on the roster currently. Isn't Walker Wood coming off an ACL injury or am I thinking of someone else? We lost the main backup to an ACL injury before the season even started after the previous main backup transferred as a grad transfer.

How prepared are 3rd and 4th string quarterbacks generally?

I do think there are legitimate questions as to why we can't keep a stable of quarterbacks, but I'd love to see some comparisons as to how many quarterback transfers are normal, and how we compare. As someone said in this thread, we keep getting highly rated pro-style quarterbacks then keep giving the job to transfer dual-threat QBs.

[Blue Heaven]

Wood had 2 shoulder surgeries I believe.

[Lighthouse]

We started camp this season with 3 QBs that could play if called upon. (about the number any program would expect to have)

We had Terry Wilson returning starter. We had serviceable backup Sawyer Smith. We had third-string Nick (might not be ready to play yet but could play) Scalzo. Then we had a freshmen recruited as a long term project (Gilmore) and some scout team kids.


We entered camp appropriately staffed at QB. We left camp with a blown-out knee of the third-string kid, now short-handed with two serviceable options and a bag of chips.

After one more freak injury we are down to a dinged up serviceable backup, a bag of chips, or playing a WR at QB. It might not be obvious to those scoring at home, but QB in the SEC is a pretty difficult job, and one can't just wave a magic wand and turn a 4th string QB (read Scout team QB) into a serviceable starter.

The idea that the coaches have failed in recruiting or development of QB's is horseapples.

Oh I don't disagree with this take on our QB situation and all this is true. But I wonder if, after Wilson went down, did they moved another QB up to 3rd string behind Wood. And why didn't Wood play Saturday? He certainly thought he was going in. I'm just venting here because I do trust CS and I don't want him to shoot himself in the foot with recruits. And they do watch.

[Spiritof96]

I think the answer is obvious. They don’t think Wood can play and they are hoping LB can.

[UK39]

Because a bunch of the QB mess from this year is bad luck. I'm assuming that Stoops knows more than you and there's a reason GIlmore hasn't seen much action.

Smith and Wilson getting hurt is bad luck, not having anyone prepared beyond them to play 3 weeks after Wilson gets hurt falls on the coaching staff.

[Spiritof96]

Smith and Wilson getting hurt is bad luck, not having anyone prepared beyond them to play 3 weeks after Wilson gets hurt falls on the coaching staff.

on player injuries: "You guys just think we can just shit out another player."

If Gilmore is a project and Wood isn't good enough whom should they be "preparing"?

[Lighthouse]

​



If Gilmore is a project and Wood isn't good enough whom should they be "preparing"?

Gilmore. Put the project to the test. If he fails now, he has gained experience and will know more what he has to work on. From what I understand he is fast and has a strong arm, just heeds to adjust to a much faster game.

Here's what worries me. An injured player is more susceptible to further injury, so what if Smith can't play, who then is 1st and 2nd string?

[UK39]

If Gilmore is a project and Wood isn't good enough whom should they be "preparing"?

I'd rather see Gilmore with only 5-10 plays than a WR pretending to be a QB.

They should be and should have been preparing Gilmore once Wilson went down. This shouldn't be this hard. I can't imagine Kentucky is the only school with 2 QB options for an entire year.