That's a very difficult question for me to answer. I probably couldn't answer for sure one way or the other until NSD next year. I want him to have sufficient time. OTOH, if they were to only win three or four games this season, which I don't feel will be the case, and a lot of the class of '16 and '17 commits began bailing, it would be very difficult for me to remain confident.
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If the team flops this year, yes my confidence in Stoops will wane because it will be difficult to recruit the level of players needs. A coach can sell expectations of "we will get better" for several years. However by years three, you need to start delivering to keep the recruiting going at a high level.
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Well, had the first two years been 2-10, and 2-10 last year after 2-10 back-to-back already (one by Joker) wouldn't have been crazy, then 4-8 this year would look like we're heading in the right direction imo. So, 4-8 would cause consternation in me, but would retain my support. 3-9 would look bad, no way around it without an exceptional number of injuries and multiple flukes. I mean the play clock running out at FL not being called, a TD's right in receiver's being dropped, & INT drop going for TD type flukes.
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I think UK get at least 6 wins.
UK is on the rise, there's no question. UT is on the rise. Which brings me to a real question. What kind of a dilemma does the SEC face with all these teams getting better?
I'm no rocket scientist, but the only way for UK, UT, Akansas, Miss State, to get wins is for the other teams to lose those games.
No matter what UK does, unless other MAJOR programs take a total collapse, I don't see a scenario where the conference can continue it perennial involvement in the championship games.
This conference may have three or four of the beat teams in the nation, yet with only 8,9, or 10 wins.
Looking around the league, you've got only one doormat. Vandy. Just to be frank, the SEC likes having a Vandy or UK to take losses, because it's kept the powerhouse programs inflated. But as Mizzou gets better, as Arkansas gets better, as TAMU has risen, and low with Kentucky changing it's paradigm, those teams are going to nibble the records off Bama, LSU, Georgia.
My thought is that while I enjoy the thought of a 9+win UK, it's simply not realistic. There are too many good teams in the league and too many good coaches. The SEC could very well be looking at a conference that beats itself out of the playoff picture.
You look at the BIG 10, and yeah you've got Ohio State, but look around at the rest. Michigan is down. Illinois is mediocre team, Maryland stinks, Iowa stinks. Etc.
But with this new balance is power that I think the SEC is facing, someone HAS to lose some games. The top dogs must, necessarily, start having worse win loss records.
If things continue the way they are, I think that we might have to accept a reality that winning 8 games, in thus conference, might be about as good of a season as we can get. Maybe if a couple programs tank, that might be different, but I don't see anyone other than Vandy who can't beat the perennial top conference team in a home game.Comment
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Reality and being realistic are often elusive, at least for me. Beating UT with a WR at QB is totally absurd, and completely unrealistic. Beating a #1 ranked LSU juggernaut is another fantasy occurrence. This recruiting class isn't possible. I don't think this kind of recruiting success has occurred previously at UK. I can't recall this and I'm older than dirt. I'll leave the big picture to those of you who know more than I do ... and that likely includes most who post here. Stoops has said he wants to win the SEC. If this recruiting continues he is likely to have a shot at accomplishing this goal in the not too distant future. My focus at present is less grandiose. I want to beat ULL. That's the game I want to win ... for now. If we win this game we're headed in the right direction.Comment
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Amazing thread. Put me in the camp that would be happy with a 7-6 season and a bowl win. The game I have circled is USC at Columbia. IF we are going to win 7 or 8 games, this game seems like a game we need to win. Granted, winning there isn't easy for anyone let alone UK, BUT after last year's game, I'm very hopeful. They seem vulnerable. Going into to the UF game 2-0, and with some serious momentum, is where I'd like to see the Cats. Going into the Mizzou game 3-0 sounds even better. Finish the regular season 7-5 or 8-4 and our recruiting will get a quantum bump IMHO.Comment
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Sorry, Brother_Vol, but time and geography dictates that you all are the one I'd most like to beat. While a victory over UGa., UF etc. would be awesome, UT is the game I point to each season.Philippians 4:11-4:13Comment
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Perhaps, I should explain. I have this theory that a person's age and where they live affects which team one considers to be their biggest rivalry. For example, a lot of the fb fans that began following the Cats about the time we began playing U of L, and who live in and around Louisville, consider U of L to be our biggest rival. In my case, I've been following UK sports since I was 10 years old (1954), and have always lived in the southeastern part of the state (Corbin is about 30 mi. from the Tn. line). I feel that is why I view UT as much more of a rival than U of L. To me, U of L is just another team on the schedule. Some people say, due to the fact we haven't beaten you all much over the past 30+ years, UK vs. UT is no longer a rivalry game. It may not be for some people, but it sure is for me.Philippians 4:11-4:13Comment
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Sounds right to me. For UT fans the main two are UF and Bama, I think that's true for 90% of Vol fans unless you live in Georgia. Those guys are insufferable!
Any chance they bring back the beer barrel someday? Probably not in the PC world we live in but I'd be all for it!Wish that I was on ol Rocky TopComment
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As far as fotball rivalries, it's always been UT for me. That win we had a few years back with our WR as QB was jjust so damn flukey. Those were two really bad teams on the field, though my excitement was through the roof. A change is coming in this rivalry. Butch Jones is a hell of a coach. Stoops is getting there. I feel we are going to see some battles in the near future. Both teams have recruiting momentum and rabid fan bases. And yes, this UK program has a rabid fan base. It's been said that the UK football program is a sleeping giant. I truly feel that CMS is the guy that will awaken it. RELEASE THE KRACKEN!Isaiah 5:20Comment
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I doubt if they'll ever bring the beer barrel back, although I wish they would. That used to be a big part of the rivalry, in my opinion. If they're not going to bring it back, they need to come up with something to replace it. Having a trophy to play for is part of what makes college fb so much better than the NFL, in my opinion.Philippians 4:11-4:13Comment
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