Is this our year?

[Matt Dillon]

I stick with what I said a few yrs ago, if Stoops can't get it done, I really never expect it to change, so win or lose we need to supports Stoops and staff, cause Nick Saban ain't coming here, or anyone else that has a winning program at this level. We play to win each week, so we have a chance, in all but 3 games. This yr it will be on the offense, we can't waste opportunities to put points on the scoreboard and the defense has to make others work to score and not give up big plays, which once again brings us to special teams, absolutely the key for us winning, this has been our biggest down side for the Stoops era! We must stop letting teams play on a short field!

I agree with 99.99% of what you say. The only exception is if it reaches the point where it's obvious coach Stoops and staff can't get it done, then you have to look elsewhere. You can't keep a staff in place, that isn't getting the desired results, just because you think no one else can do better.

[johnkyblue]

I don't think it's a think, much less a "you think".

[Old School]

Taking a look at the SEC East going into 2016:

In 2015, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee were 12-0 vs. Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

A few of the games were close:
Florida 9, Vanderbilt 7;
Georgia 9, Missouri 6;
Tennessee 27, South Carolina 24;
Florida 14, Kentucky 9;
Florida 24, South Carolina 14.

But, four other #1-3 vs. #4-7 matchups were blowouts (24 points or more).

I think the consensus is that Florida will be much better this year, Tennessee probably will be, and Georgia may or may not be much better but will still be in a different league than the second half of the East.

These were the 2015 SEC East matchups among the #4-#7 teams:

Kentucky 26, South Carolina 22
Kentucky 21, Missouri 13
Missouri 24, South Carolina 10
South Carolina 19, Vanderbilt 10
Vanderbilt 10, Missouri 3
Vanderbilt 21, Kentucky 17

Surprisingly, though, Missouri played most competitive trio of games against Georgia, Florida and Tennessee in 2015, despite going 1-7 in SEC play (with Mississippi State and Arkansas from the West).

In terms of what's on the roster, Kentucky looks best prepared to take a step up out of that group in 2016.

Vanderbilt may be as good as last year, or improved.

South Carolina and Missouri have new head coaches and rosters that likely aren't as good as last year.

The best chance for a team from that second group to beat one from the first group is probably when Kentucky hosts Georgia.

[Brother_Vol]

Is UTK not going to suffer over the allegation that their coach enabled the beating of women? Their coach should be charged in that. If brought to a grand jury I was on, I would charge him. Until that game, who knows what will happen? Something worse could happen to them or even us.

And that's exactly why you'd never make it onto the jury. You're maybe a little caught up in this being a Butch Jones thing. I'm not saying that nothing has been going on, but if there is, it's likely bigger than Butch. The case is against UT not Butch Jones. What I do know is that very few in Knoxville are as focused on this as you are at this point. That case is probably a couple years from being ruled on if it makes it that far. But from what UT is putting out there it doesn't appear they want to settle. So go ahead and enjoy the season without grinding your gears too hard on whether Butch is the Devil or not. And I'll go ahead and warn you that AJ Johnson and Micheal Williams have their criminal trials in July, I believe. Don't throw a fit if they are convicted. Their guilt, or innocence for that matter, has absolutely no bearing on the civil case against UT.

Now that we have that out of the way, I think I've said it before on here but, it's time. A bowl game would be just about a must at this point for me. UK's best class in years are all upperclassmen now. I think there is a real chance too. There are 4 that should be sure wins. If their not then Stoops will be sitting on a hot plate. Then you just need two of USCe, Mizzou, UGA, UF, Miss. St., and I don't know too much about UL? I think USCe and Mizzou will be the best chance but I think all are within reach. I don't think any of those games are sure bets against UK. I wish you guys the best this season. Give UF some lumps early on for us!

[Matt Dillon]

Good to see you're back, B_V. Stop by more often.

[Spiritof96]

A bowl game would be just about a must at this point for me. UK's best class in years are all upperclassmen now.

Do you think this perspective is in any way influenced by your history with UT? Meaning that based on UT's history and expectations a coach should be able to get to a bowl in 4 years. (I agree at UT btw)

Given that KY football has sucked so often and it's version of good usually isn't that good, I'm not sure changing the 4 year window is necessarily reasonable.

[Brother_Vol]

Do you think this perspective is in any way influenced by your history with UT? Meaning that based on UT's history and expectations a coach should be able to get to a bowl in 4 years. (I agree at UT btw)

Given that KY football has sucked so often and it's version of good usually isn't that good, I'm not sure changing the 4 year window is necessarily reasonable.

You know, it's very possible 96. Still though it's hard for me to take back most of what I said. I say that because last year and the year before UK was sooooo close. I mean how many times can you have a game all but won and blow it all in the fourth and not to the top? I know some of that can be attributed to depth issues because of the difficult recruiting situation there, so that's definitely a factor. Am I correct in thinking that this bunch of Wildcats should be the best quality bunch since he's been there, and experienced now also? If so, I'd want to see at least a little bit of improvement in the win/loss column. And if it were me, one game wouldn't be too much to ask. But like you say, that could be some mental conditioning that I have going on lol.

And besides that, this should be an opportunity year in the east. Just about everyone has a new QB and about half have a new coaching staff. If this isn't the year for a bowl game I don't know what is. Then again, maybe setting it as an expectation isn't entirely reasonable either

[Brother_Vol]

Good to see you're back, B_V. Stop by more often.

I'll do my best. I'm sure I'll be around more when the season gets a little bit closer. Only 17 more Saturdays to go boys and girls.

[Spiritof96]

You know, it's very possible 96. Still though it's hard for me to take back most of what I said. I say that because last year and the year before UK was sooooo close. I mean how many times can you have a game all but won and blow it all in the fourth and not to the top? I know some of that can be attributed to depth issues because of the difficult recruiting situation there, so that's definitely a factor. Am I correct in thinking that this bunch of Wildcats should be the best quality bunch since he's been there, and experienced now also? If so, I'd want to see at least a little bit of improvement in the win/loss column. And if it were me, one game wouldn't be too much to ask. But like you say, that could be some mental conditioning that I have going on lol.

And besides that, this should be an opportunity year in the east. Just about everyone has a new QB and about half have a new coaching staff. If this isn't the year for a bowl game I don't know what is. Then again, maybe setting it as an expectation isn't entirely reasonable either

I think the consensus is this defense is thinner (especially up front) than last years.

I agree that we have been "close".

My comments stem from the reality that for my lifetime of watching UK football, the coaching and recruiting have been "hapless" half of the time. Even relatively successful coaches like Mumme managed the game like he was playing a damn video game....

The way I see it, Stoops can recruit and has learned (hopefully) how to be a HC on our dime. It seems nuts to get rid of him just as we are entering a window of time where both the recruiting and the learning should (or has a chance to) pay off.

[Brother_Vol]

I think the consensus is this defense is thinner (especially up front) than last years.

I agree that we have been "close".

My comments stem from the reality that for my lifetime of watching UK football, the coaching and recruiting have been "hapless" half of the time. Even relatively successful coaches like Mumme managed the game like he was playing a damn video game....

The way I see it, Stoops can recruit and has learned (hopefully) how to be a HC on our dime. It seems nuts to get rid of him just as we are entering a window of time where both the recruiting and the learning should (or has a chance to) pay off.

Fair enough. You know more about it than I do. Stoops being one of the better recruiters in a while is a good point. That's where it starts. And I guess in relative terms the program isn't stagnant at this point. That's what you have to worry about in my experience. Sometimes coaches lose their edge. And there's no room for complacency at the top of any program.

Out of curiosity, what would be your line that can't be crossed? 4-8? I really really don't think that would happen but it would have to be an underachieving year.

[Spiritof96]

Fair enough. You know more about it than I do. Stoops being one of the better recruiters in a while is a good point. That's where it starts. And I guess in relative terms the program isn't stagnant at this point. That's what you have to worry about in my experience. Sometimes coaches lose their edge. And there's no room for complacency at the top of any program.

Out of curiosity, what would be your line that can't be crossed? 4-8? I really really don't think that would happen but it would have to be an underachieving year.

Going 2-10 or 3-9 would signal that something is fundamentally wrong with the staff and changes need to be made sooner rather than later.