I like UK football’s chances going forward this year in the SEC East. At the first bye week, Kentucky, at 56 points, has scored the 3rd-most points in the division, while giving up 49 points, which is the 3rd-fewest points in the division. This corresponds to UK finding itself in 3rd place in the SEC East at 2-1 in the conference, including two wins over SEC East rivals that UK doesn’t usually beat.
I realize that there are a lot of inconsistencies on UK’s offensive side of the ball, but the bottom line is that they are 2-1 in SEC East rival games against teams that they usually lose to. If the trend holds, Mark Stoops will have climbed three rungs up the SEC East pecking order, with even greater talent and experience on both sides of the ball over the next two years.
As 35 years of watching and supporting UK Football proves, building a winner out of a perpetual cellar-dweller is a slow slog. However, the talent within the UK Football Program is improved, the player development is demonstrably improved, and the results are starting to become evident. Closing out 2-1 in our division against Georgia (2-1), Tennessee (0-2), and Vanderbilt (0-2) guarantees UK a 3rd-place finish in the SEC East, and with a couple of fortuitious losses from Georgia gives UK a puncher’s chance at 2nd in the SEC East without even having to beat Georgia. UK football is on the rise.
I know, I know, I know. This team is giving us all heartburn and creating the potential for fan heart attacks. I also realize that we sat at 4-1 last year too, albeit without the 2-1 record in conference wins. However, halfway in to Mark Stoops' 3rd season on the field and well into Stoops' fourth round of recruiting, I think that it's obvious at this point that the coaching talent has improved as well. Sitting tied for 2nd in the SEC East halfway through the third season of your first head coaching stint is a situation that Coach Stoops can be proud of, and should serve as proper confirmation and motivation for Coach Stoops to believe that what he is building is on the right track, and that, perhaps, these dark, ominous clouds hovering over the UK Football Program are finally... mercifully... parting.
I realize that there are a lot of inconsistencies on UK’s offensive side of the ball, but the bottom line is that they are 2-1 in SEC East rival games against teams that they usually lose to. If the trend holds, Mark Stoops will have climbed three rungs up the SEC East pecking order, with even greater talent and experience on both sides of the ball over the next two years.
As 35 years of watching and supporting UK Football proves, building a winner out of a perpetual cellar-dweller is a slow slog. However, the talent within the UK Football Program is improved, the player development is demonstrably improved, and the results are starting to become evident. Closing out 2-1 in our division against Georgia (2-1), Tennessee (0-2), and Vanderbilt (0-2) guarantees UK a 3rd-place finish in the SEC East, and with a couple of fortuitious losses from Georgia gives UK a puncher’s chance at 2nd in the SEC East without even having to beat Georgia. UK football is on the rise.
I know, I know, I know. This team is giving us all heartburn and creating the potential for fan heart attacks. I also realize that we sat at 4-1 last year too, albeit without the 2-1 record in conference wins. However, halfway in to Mark Stoops' 3rd season on the field and well into Stoops' fourth round of recruiting, I think that it's obvious at this point that the coaching talent has improved as well. Sitting tied for 2nd in the SEC East halfway through the third season of your first head coaching stint is a situation that Coach Stoops can be proud of, and should serve as proper confirmation and motivation for Coach Stoops to believe that what he is building is on the right track, and that, perhaps, these dark, ominous clouds hovering over the UK Football Program are finally... mercifully... parting.
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