Even match up for first game?

[Sjslhill]

It's what we've been hearing.

70th in rankings? ?

[WildcatRick]

70th in rankings? ?

No, sorry. That it would be a close game or an upset.

[Jaxcat]

Wow, I agree 100% with JAXCAT

After being exposed to my superhuman intellect for the past 90 days, you sound surprised ??!

Seriously, though, the past few seasons have been hard to watch. Falling behind almost every single game, regardless of the opponent. Bumbling our way to halftime and right out of the locker room to start the 3rd quarter. Never quite putting an opponent away unless it's in the last 4 minutes or so. It's rare that I have been able to just kick back and casually watch the 4th quarter of a UK game as we coast into a comfortable victory (way too many losses I could do that, of course). We just haven't had a killer instinct at all the past several years, piddling around and allowing the opponent to, at the very least, throw a big scare into us if not win outright. I hope this team is different. Once we've got a team on their heels and controlling the game, continue to grind 'em down and put the game safely out of reach (for once).

[Simple_Man]

My guess is that we do what we seemingly always do: start slow offensively, play base/vanilla defense until the opponent scores in the first quarter, look a bit confused on both sides of the ball. By the 2nd quarter, we (hopefully) have our bearings and start imposing our will. We win by 10 or so, but not without some anxious moments in the second half, i.e., a bad turnover or busted coverage that turns a game about to get out of reach into a nailbiter.

While I hope for the best, I really do think this team wins 4 games, maybe 5. But it's going to be a long season with the typical dumb penalties, poor playcalling, breakdowns at critical junctures in games, hopelessly bad defense at the end of the half and opening 3rd quarter, playing completely uninspired a game or two, etc. I mean, that's what we've seen in recent years, why would that change?

I agree with your post,you basically summed up my thoughts on Kentucky football.

[BlueHeaven]

After being exposed to my superhuman intellect for the past 90 days, you sound surprised ??!

Seriously, though, the past few seasons have been hard to watch. Falling behind almost every single game, regardless of the opponent. Bumbling our way to halftime and right out of the locker room to start the 3rd quarter. Never quite putting an opponent away unless it's in the last 4 minutes or so. It's rare that I have been able to just kick back and casually watch the 4th quarter of a UK game as we coast into a comfortable victory (way too many losses I could do that, of course). We just haven't had a killer instinct at all the past several years, piddling around and allowing the opponent to, at the very least, throw a big scare into us if not win outright. I hope this team is different. Once we've got a team on their heels and controlling the game, continue to grind 'em down and put the game safely out of reach (for once).

Hard to argue with much here. I've seen so many heartbreaks in my lifetime. So much "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory".

[TrueblueCATfan]

IMO..if We can't beat Toledo we will have a hard time in the SEC

[Matt Dillon]

IMO..if We can't beat Toledo we will have a hard time in the SEC

We're going to have a hard time in the SEC even if we do beat Toledo.

[Simple_Man]

Wouldn't it be nice if Kentucky had a relevant football team every year.It doesn't hurt to dream,Go Cats!

[Burly Peters]

My guess is that we do what we seemingly always do: start slow offensively, play base/vanilla defense until the opponent scores in the first quarter, look a bit confused on both sides of the ball. By the 2nd quarter, we (hopefully) have our bearings and start imposing our will. We win by 10 or so, but not without some anxious moments in the second half, i.e., a bad turnover or busted coverage that turns a game about to get out of reach into a nailbiter.

While I hope for the best, I really do think this team wins 4 games, maybe 5. But it's going to be a long season with the typical dumb penalties, poor playcalling, breakdowns at critical junctures in games, hopelessly bad defense at the end of the half and opening 3rd quarter, playing completely uninspired a game or two, etc. I mean, that's what we've seen in recent years, why would that change?

I have to agree. I'd love to see us fired up after being s%$t on all summer by the talking heads and blast Toledo by 40. But when is the last time we've done that to a competent opponent?

[40bill]

Stoops seems to want counter punchers football...take a hit and fire back harder.
trouble is that hit could be a knockout.

[40bill]

One more thing: if this team comes out flat, unprepared or disinterested, season is over.

[Matt Dillon]

One more thing: if this team comes out flat, unprepared or disinterested, season is over.

Yep, can't afford to underestimate Toledo.

[40bill]

With the history of Kentucky Football, I cannot understand for the life of me why a Kentucky football team would overlook anyone. I dont mind confidence, but swagger when your trophy case has more moths than silver? When top 10 final rankings can be counted on one hand since the creation of the school?
There really is a legit reason that schools for years on end schedule Kentucky as homecoming game. Even Vanderbilt.

We complain every single year about not getting respect. There is a mighty good reason for that.

Stoops had this thing going in the right direction then seemed to do a Captain Smith and steer us into an iceberg.
Gotta get this fixed. If not him then Sumrall. If not Sumrall then someone else gets a shot.
Im gonna be 68. I want to see a legit top 10 program at Kentucky before I go to my maker.

[Pobilly]

This year I vowed to myself that I would not get caught thinking we will be very good at all. This year I am going in with the attitude that Toledo with the summer and fall camp has been getting ready for UK. UK has just been changing the attitude from the past year and a half. Now we are working on Toledo or mid last week on. We have more talent by far. Does not mean a thing, if the attitude is not better in the locker room.


If this team meaning UK, plays hard, inspired, smart football and the coaches call a smart game then we should be fine. I do not have faith right now in any of that. They have to prove it to me. I am taking this one game, one play at a time. If we get beat on a play, do we hang our heads and get beat a 2nd and 3rd play and give up easy scores? If we get stuffed on runs does the coaches continue to call the Curry run up the middle 3 times and punt? that is where we are and we will see Saturday.

[TrueblueCATfan]

We're going to have a hard time in the SEC even if we do beat Toledo.

Probably..after last season it wouldn't suprise me if we didnt win any in the SEC
SURE hope Im wrong