Game Thread

[teamchemistry15]

We are definitely far ahead of three years ago, but we aren't likely to win 7 games.

Frankly, I think it likely we win 6, and seriously possible only 5.

Folks, I said this a month ago, but I will remind you. Vandy is no automatic win. We will be on a three (oops, four) game skid, by that game, including two road losses tonight, and at Georgia. Our toughest part of the schedule, no question.

Now, maybe we can get back on track versus UT, but UT is more talented. I never liked us to win the game, and still don't.

Factor injuries and fatigue, plus going on the road to Vandy?.... Ehh... I think entirely possible we lose that game.

There is no such thing as a guarantee in sports. That is why you play the game. Vandy is coming up, but still far from where we are. I know it won't be a cake walk, but I think we win our last three. We have a chance against UT next week as well. People take one bad game and assume we will play that way the rest of the year. I will almost guarantee that we play a much better overall game next week.

[Friendsofcoal]

This is just a ridiculous post. If you don't see the upgrades all across the board then I don't think you remember Joker. We are 4-3 with some very winnable games left. There are improvements all over the place from last year. Stop judging an entire season and team based on one poor game. We will win at least 7 games and keep the momentum in recruiting. We are FAR from what we had three years ago.

I will go ahead and predict one more W against Charlotte for a total of 5. I think Vandy beats us on the road and UL will pick our D apart. I hope I'm wrong but I always try to be realistic. Vandy is looking much better.

[lotsaloanstoo]

Mississippi State is the most talented team we've played this year by far. Not really disappointed with the effort tonight. More disappointed in the lack of determination to force their will. Not really disappointed with the play calling. My eyes are more on coaching decisions. Definitely time to invest in a Special Teams coach. Maybe it's time to replace Timmons on punt returns. Boneheaded player on the field errors are totally on Stoops at this point, he should have prioritized this by now. Now it's not just helping to lose momentum but it's shaving points off of the board. Only one more chance to look this bad this season. Rest are toss ups at this point except Charlotte. Maybe it's time to start getting more of the younger guys more playing time in preparation for 2016-17. 2 more wins definitely achievable, 3 more would be a nice way to wind up the 2015 schedule.

[Joneslab]

If you're not ready to play you get exposed on the road in the SEC. And we didn't look ready to play. Defensively, last night reminded me of EKU: a lot of listlessness, a ton of guys out of position, entire series racked by total confusion.

I don't think it says anything about how the rest of the season can go. We're better than three of the last five teams we play. We still should get to 7.

Next week worries me though, because Tennessee does a lot of the same stuff as MSU. I think we'll play better, but I can see them really moving the ball against us.

[Joneslab]

Another thing about this game that makes me think it won't have any bearing on whether or not we can get to 7: they played unbelievable.

They really did. Yes, we made it easy for them, but two of their interceptions were circus catches. Their receivers caught almost everything thrown to them. They made about five out-in-space, shoestring tackles to stop huge plays.

That was the football equivalent of the night everything goes in the basket. You just tip your cap on nights like that and come back for the next one.

[Matt Dillon]

Before the season began, when some of us were making our predictions, I said 6-6. I'm still standing by that, although I don't feel as comfortable as I did then. I see loses to UT, UGa and, quite possibly, U of L. Charlotte should be a "W". I don't feel quite as secure about Vandy as I once did since they beat MIssouri yesterday, but we still should have enough to take them.

[Lighthouse]

Another point to consider. Miss St had played bad their last game, and was dressed down during a team meeting by the Coaches. They were determined last night to rebound and their extra effort was very visible. We went into a hornets nest and got stung,.

[Joneslab]

Before the season began, when some of us were making our predictions, I said 6-6.

I thought 6-6 too.

But I've watched Louisville four times. We should beat them. The only thing you worry about with them is they do a lot of read option and called QB runs. That's worrisome because of what happened last night. (And because Kentucky hasn't been able to contain a mobile quarterback since the leather helmet era.)

But we should beat them on our home field. They were almost beaten by Boston College yesterday, and BC racked up 79 yards and 4 first downs.

At home, rivalry game, last game of the season, significant bowl on the line, UofL comes in with one of the youngest teams in college football...that should be a W.

[Matt Dillon]

Another point to consider. Miss St had played bad their last game, and was dressed down during a team meeting by the Coaches. They were determined last night to rebound and their extra effort was very visible. We went into a hornets nest and got stung,.

Perhaps coach Stoops and staff will dress the Cats down, and put us in a position to beat UT?

[Lighthouse]

Perhaps coach Stoops and staff will dress the Cats down, and put us in a position to beat UT?

I certainly hope so!!! One glaring problem I see, is the drop off in effectiveness in the NG position. Elam is not what I expected at this point. He is too big and his excess hinders his movement.

[Matt Dillon]

I thought 6-6 too.

But I've watched Louisville four times. We should beat them. The only thing you worry about with them is they do a lot of read option and called QB runs. That's worrisome because of what happened last night. (And because Kentucky hasn't been able to contain a mobile quarterback since the leather helmet era.)

But we should beat them on our home field. They were almost beaten by Boston College yesterday, and BC racked up 79 yards and 4 first downs.

At home, rivalry game, last game of the season, significant bowl on the line, UofL comes in with one of the youngest teams in college football...that should be a W.

While I agree with everything you say, Will, I just feel there are certain coaches, and certain teams, that have other teams' number. I believe this to be the situation with coach Petrino and UK. I'd say the hate/revenge factor is still in play as well. I'd say Bobby P. still hasn't forgotten the UK snub when Joker was "asked to leave".

[Matt Dillon]

I certainly hope so!!! One glaring problem I see, is the drop off in effectiveness in the NG position. Elam is not what I expected at this point. He is too big and his excess hinders his movement.

After watching Elam, last night, I'm wondering if his inability, or unwillingness, to get in shape isn't more of a problem than his size. There have been lots of players his size, and some even bigger, down through the years, that have been outstanding players. One that immediately comes to mind is Terrence "Mount" Cody who played for Bama several years ago. There were times he weighed over 400 pounds, and he was an All-American at Bama.

[George]

After watching Elam, last night, I'm wondering if his inability, or unwillingness, to get in shape isn't more of a problem than his size. There have been lots of players his size, and some even bigger, down through the years, that have been outstanding players. One that immediately comes to mind is Terrence "Mount" Cody who played for Bama several years ago. There were times he weighed over 400 pounds, and he was an All-American at Bama.

I was blown away by how slooooooooooooooooow Elam is. Just unbelievable. He moves like he's high-stepping through swamp mud.

[Joneslab]

While I agree with everything you say, Will, I just feel there are certain coaches, and certain teams, that have other teams' number. I believe this to be the situation with coach Petrino and UK. I'd say the hate/revenge factor is still in play as well. I'd say Bobby P. still hasn't forgotten the UK snub when Joker was "asked to leave".

Petrino has always had better players. Not so this year.

We were a few yards from the W last season, at their place. If we lose that game then it'll be a pretty big letdown. I don't think there's a catastrophic difference between the two teams, but there is a difference. Kentucky really should win. You watch UofL and they're just hapless so much of the time.

Kentucky outside of last night hasn't been hapless. At times we've looked great. But we're still incredibly inconsistent.

[Matt Dillon]

I was blown away by how slooooooooooooooooow Elam is. Just unbelievable. He moves like he's high-stepping through swamp mud.

Another case in point is A'Shawn Robinson. I don't know how many of you all saw the ending of the Bama-UT game. UT was driving for what would have been the go-ahead, and most likely winning, score when the UT QB fumbled the ball. The ball was very close to the ground when Robinson runs in and grabs it, before it hits the ground, and almost ran it in for a touchdown. This would have been a difficult play even for a much smaller player to make, in my opinion. Granted Robinson is 40-50 lbs. lighter than Elam, but I doubt if Matt would have gotten close to the ball much less picked it out of the air on the dead run.