6-6. Bowl Game. Some fans are thrilled

[DCFseattle]

So we beat all the bad teams. Would that make us a middle of the pack team? Isn't that improvement, since we're usually one of the bad teams?

Second guessing play calls aside, we are definitely on the uptick and most of our starters are back next year.

 

[WildcatofNati]

From 5-3 to potentially 6-7. Man that sucks if that happens. We can get to a bowl game but still have a late season collapse as usual. This season will be a major disappointment if it ends up that way. I am still hoping for an upset of Tennessee and Louisville and finishing 9-4 after the bowl, but not going to hold my breath.

Ah, we'll probably at least beat some bad bowl team in Birmingham, so it's probably 7 and 6 then. I wasn't necessarily expecting that much in August.

 

[J. Shellacque]

Yeah....the team has looked better this year, but how do you reconcile these continued coaching blunders? It's like watching peewee football where a quarterback can't throw it more than 10 yards, so you decide can't throw passes. It's pathetic. GA was playing a true freshmen, and he lit us up all the way down the field in the last minutes to win. If you can't recruit a decent quarterback you are going to be mediocre at best, no matter how good the rest of your team is. And especially when the coaching is so deficient.

 

[WildcatofNati]

Yeah....the team has looked better this year, but how do you reconcile these continued coaching blunders? It's like watching peewee football where a quarterback can't throw it more than 10 yards, so you decide can't throw passes. It's pathetic. GA was playing a true freshmen, and he lit us up all the way down the field in the last minutes to win. If you can't recruit a decent quarterback you are going to be mediocre at best, no matter how good the rest of your team is. And especially when the coaching is so deficient.

Their true freshman QB might be the first pick in a future draft. He's a legit talent.

 

[J. Shellacque]

Their true freshman QB might be the first pick in a future draft. He's a legit talent.

Perhaps in a few years, but right now he hasn't proven anything and is far from a first pick. He kind of reminds me of Towles actually right now. Don't get me wrong, I think in the end he will be very good.

 

[Myron Gaines]

We haven't beaten any playoff contenders but every single win, outside of NMSU and maybe Mizzou, is a legit win.

So at season's end we will have 3 legit wins. Got it.

 

[yoshukai]

Our soft coverage schemes on the last drive allowed him to gain the confidence he hadn't had in the rest of the game . There was too much time and too short of distance to play prevent defense at that time .

 

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

We should go to a bowl. That's a step up for sure but we've beat really bad teams that have a history of being better. This season will make a lot of fans happy but it's not nearly as good as some think it is. Georgia is as bad as they'll ever be and they beat us at home when our fans supported this team like never before. The improvement is there but 6-6 this year is average at best.

We have been to only 15 bowl games in our entire history and haven't had a winning conference record since 1979. You need to go investigate the definition of "average."

 

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

I disagree. When we beat the teams we beat they were playing terrible. I acknowledge that 6-6 will be better than I expected after Southern Miss beat us but we're still UK and we had a chance to do something pretty special and failed again.

Back in september you were wanting stoops fired for losing to southern miss (your old posts can be looked up). Now you are angry because we are probably not going to go to Atlanta.

Fans like you make me start to sympathize with our athletics' department when they appear to disregard what the fans want. I'm sure the AD just wants to squeeze every penny out of fans like you and wish you didn't have a public forum to spew your ridiculous diatribe.

 

[K_TIME]

1. We are likely to end up in a bad bowl game at 6-6...it isn't great but some act like this is the best Stoops will do at UK and fans will be "OK" with that. I guarantee that if UK goes 6-6 next year and loses all the players we lose after next year...the fan support will wane backwards and Mitch will have a decision to make (Not that I think he's going to do a darn thing about it).
2. Stoops has to consider going n another direction with DJ Elliott. Will he? (I hope he does and it will tell me if he's about building a better program or being a good ole boy coach).
3. UK needs QB play in a bad way. TO not want to throw it at goal line was telling to me staff didn't want to put the ball in his hands as they feel he'll make a TO. A playaction kind of thing would have been perfect on 1st or 2nd down. Hopefully Danny Clark is a step in that direction (I don't believe in Barker at all) or J. Williams in 2 years.
4. What lost the game outside of WR was DL play. To see Elam getting blown away in backup snaps was just awful. Pringle is way better than him and is a first year JUCO who was lightly recruited. Middleton hopefully improves off of a solid year and I have no idea what we've got at Miggins spot. Also..>Ware and Josh Allen have had good moments at times....but they were dead quiet yesterday. We need top tier edge pass rushers and they didn't show up last night.

Next year is the biggest year for Stoops with all the Srs he'll have. But if SEC East teams improve, will his record improve? He needs to get 7+ wins and wouldn't hurt to knock off UT/UF at home.

 

[ukalumni00]

The reality is that this KY team is average. Taking out the S Miss debacle they have won and lost the games I predicted they would. They are playing with a backup QB, Gran is running what gives this team the best chance to win games, and the defense is playing as well as its talent level will allow. They played a much more talented team last night and could have won. If Badet catches that pass everyone would be saying how great things are.

I used to get bothered by losses, but I have already moved on. This team will play in a bowl game and have two tougher games. Go 2-1 down the stretch and this season is a major success. Go 1-2 and they essentially did what most predicted.

KY just needs more difference makers to make the big move in the SEC. It takes time and some luck to find those guys.

 

[K_TIME]

The reality is that this KY team is average. Taking out the S Miss debacle they have won and lost the games I predicted they would. They are playing with a backup QB, Gran is running what gives this team the best chance to win games, and the defense is playing as well as its talent level will allow. They played a much more talented team last night and could have won. If Badet catches that pass everyone would be saying how great things are.

I used to get bothered by losses, but I have already moved on. This team will play in a bowl game and have two tougher games. Go 2-1 down the stretch and this season is a major success. Go 1-2 and they essentially did what most predicted.

KY just needs more difference makers to make the big move in the SEC. It takes time and some luck to find those guys.

Spot on.
1. UK has to have QB play to compliment the run game. To play so much wildcat in critical parts of game shows where our QB truly is at in coaches perspective. Either Johnson develops a bit this offseason or we hope Danny Clark/J Wlliams in future will be guys to carry the load back there (I've given up on Barker)
2. DL is just bottom level. Watching Elam blown back is just a mess. We have to have Middleton morph into a top tier DL and see what we can develop at DE spot. Also Josh Allen and Ware need to be morph into top tier edge pass rushers every game (they were totally quiet last night)

 

[qwesley]

6-6 with a turnover-prone inaccurate backup QB is decent progress. OL has vastly improved and Stoops has the defense playing better. Just hope we avoid bad performances against UL and UT which would depress the fanbase going into the bowl game and next season.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

Back in september you were wanting stoops fired for losing to southern miss (your old posts can be looked up). Now you are angry because we are probably not going to go to Atlanta.

Fans like you make me start to sympathize with our athletics' department when they appear to disregard what the fans want. I'm sure the AD just wants to squeeze every penny out of fans like you and wish you didn't have a public forum to spew your ridiculous diatribe.

I'm not angry and I didn't think we'd go to Atlanta. I just feel like we lost to a Georgia team that's having their worst year in quite some time. And we lost to them at home when the fans once again gave the team a full house worth of support. I think we've improved but I think we're really average. If 6-6 is pumping you up I'm happy you feel that way. I'm not in any way being a smart *** to you or anyone else that's satisfied with our football program. Once again this is JMO. I think a beat up Tennessee team will beat us handily and UL will murder us. If I'm wrong I'll admit it openly to everyone that thinks I'm out of line for my opinion.

 

[Anon1660081258]

This post is premature. We are not 6-6. We are 5-4 and 3 games remain.

 

[NavyCat88]

I'm not angry and I didn't think we'd go to Atlanta. I just feel like we lost to a Georgia team that's having their worst year in quite some time. And we lost to them at home when the fans once again gave the team a full house worth of support. I think we've improved but I think we're really average. If 6-6 is pumping you up I'm happy you feel that way. I'm not in any way being a smart *** to you or anyone else that's satisfied with our football program. Once again this is JMO. I think a beat up Tennessee team will beat us handily and UL will murder us. If I'm wrong I'll admit it openly to everyone that thinks I'm out of line for my opinion.

Bingo....I like beating the teams we should beat (USC, MSU, VU, MIZ), but IMO UGA was another one of those bad teams. Worst UGA team in a while....we have a lot to play for.....the stadium is full and jacked up.....and we just don't get it done. Very disappointing. GBB.....beat the he!! out of the Vols!

 

[K_TIME]

I for one don't see TN blowing us away. They have a pretty lame run defense that Uk can expliitt

 

[crazyqx83_rivals88013]

I'm not angry and I didn't think we'd go to Atlanta. I just feel like we lost to a Georgia team that's having their worst year in quite some time. And we lost to them at home when the fans once again gave the team a full house worth of support. I think we've improved but I think we're really average. If 6-6 is pumping you up I'm happy you feel that way. I'm not in any way being a smart *** to you or anyone else that's satisfied with our football program. Once again this is JMO. I think a beat up Tennessee team will beat us handily and UL will murder us. If I'm wrong I'll admit it openly to everyone that thinks I'm out of line for my opinion.

We are average in the scheme of college football pexking order. In the scheme of OUR history, this is a top 15 finish.

Just think about that. Just because georgia struggled early with a true frosh qb and inconsistent O-line doesn't mean they are trash. Two plays (one being a hail mary) and they are first in the east. Three plays (vandy, usc and msu) and we have 1 sec win, are last in the east and our only wins are mizzou and nmsu. It goes both ways.

Think about the turmoil around those results...

 

[Chuckinden]

Considering where were about a month ago, I'm pleased with 6-6 this year. We'll talk about next season next year.

 

[LadyCaytIL]

only 15 bowl games in our history and people are pissed that we are ONLY going to make a bowl game this year ... LMAO........... thats like never flying first class and after someone giving you tickets... You're pissed they didnt buy you the whole plane.

 

[louisvillesux]

its a step in the right direction. if you cant understand that thats a good thing, i cant help you.

 

[BlueRaider22]

The whole notion that fans are "satisfied and happy" with only 6 wins and a bowl game is just plain ignorant. There isn't a fan alive for any team that wouldn't want 6 wins instead of 5. 7 instead of 6. 8 instead of 7. Two undefeated seasons instead of one. Etc.

The reality is that going to a bowl game this yr (even when the East has been down) is an improvement over the last few yrs. Any fan "should" be happy with the notion that we are improving......but that doesn't mean they are thrilled or satisfied.

You also have to weigh our roster....both players and coaches. We have coaches who are still learning. We have a roster that is still developing.....and shows weaknesses at QB and DL. Where we are at this current moment getting to 6-7 wins is to be expected. There's a reason why most fans and analysts predicted as such.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Winning sends the moles into their holes. Losing lets the fools have a forum.

 

[JC CATS]

and who did we beat that is worth a damn ?

So what I hear you saying is the 2-10 seasons or 5-7 seasons are so much better. Am I right?

 

[JC CATS]

I disagree. When we beat the teams we beat they were playing terrible. I acknowledge that 6-6 will be better than I expected after Southern Miss beat us but we're still UK and we had a chance to do something pretty special and failed again.

Maybe UK had something to do with them playing terrible. Dude you are really reaching there. We would beat Southern Miss now too, you play the games when they are scheduled , getting to a bowl is special this year. Where was the praise for winning 4 of 5

 

[CB3UK]

I said I expected 6-6, a bowl, and Stoops getting 5 years to show real progress. Things went awry the first two games and I jumped ship but we've stabilized and I've settled back down.

 

[cole854]

Tough loss tonight but this UK team deserves a bowl game.

Deserve? Would love to hear this explanation.

UK has 1 "decent" win, and that took a 51 yd FG to do that. They were a hair of going to OT against Vandy. They are 5-4 and could be 4-5 or even 3-6.

UK will finish the season losing 3 of their last 4. Stoops will be 2-14 in his first 4 seasons in the last 4 games of the year. 0-4, 0-4, 1-3, and 1-3.

 

[BoNicholas]

This is a mediocre team but that's a step up from where we've been. Progress is all I can ever ask for and be fair.

 

[WildCard]

There's a difference between "turned the corner" and "step in right direction."

Indeed there is. It takes many steps in the right direction to actually turn the corner. [winking]

Peace

 

[billoliver40]

They deserve to go when they get six wins because a use that is the requirement for bowl eligibility.
To not recognize the improvement from the last two years meltdowns is the Sam as refusing to see how far this team and coach can improve.
Six wins this year.
Seven next.
Maybe more.
They deserve to go.

 

[truebluewildcat_rivals34254]

Well if you told me this summer we'd end up 6-6 and got to a pooper bowl, I'd have said that really leaves a lot to be desired...

...but if you'd have told me about two months ago when the lair was melting down that same thing, I'd have said no way things get back on track, no way this team can compete with most of the remaining sec teams, no way we get to a bowl...

 

[sluggercatfan]

We should go to a bowl. That's a step up for sure but we've beat really bad teams that have a history of being better. This season will make a lot of fans happy but it's not nearly as good as some think it is. Georgia is as bad as they'll ever be and they beat us at home when our fans supported this team like never before. The improvement is there but 6-6 this year is average at best.

It's not just the bowl that's big it is the 16 extra practices that are the most important!!

 

[Free_Salato_Blue]

It's been 10 years since UK has had a .500 record in SEC play. I'll take it.
Said it would be a minor miracle for UK to make 6 wins after that USM loss.

 

[Krisys32]

They deserve to go when they get six wins because a use that is the requirement for bowl eligibility.
To not recognize the improvement from the last two years meltdowns is the Sam as refusing to see how far this team and coach can improve.
Six wins this year.
Seven next.
Maybe more.
They deserve to go.

7 wins next year with a team full of upperclassmen is your goal next year? That says all anyone needs to know about the U.K. Fanbase. We lose a ton next year, 8 wins or stoops should be ran out of town imo

 

[BoNicholas]

7 wins next year with a team full of upperclassmen is your goal next year? That says all anyone needs to know about the U.K. Fanbase. We lose a ton next year, 8 wins or stoops should be ran out of town imo

I think ran out of town is a strong wording. However, I think you sentiment is pretty spot on. 8 wins should be mandatory next year. 8-5 is not much to ask with a team full of uppers after 5 years and one bowl.

 

[pickled cat]

We should go to a bowl. That's a step up for sure but we've beat really bad teams that have a history of being better. This season will make a lot of fans happy but it's not nearly as good as some think it is. Georgia is as bad as they'll ever be and they beat us at home when our fans supported this team like never before. The improvement is there but 6-6 this year is average at best.

Sure hope our team isn,t as much of a QUITTER as you are. I believe we have 3 games remaining not 1!! You call yourself CHAMPCAT? What a joke!!!

 

[Robcatt24]

Tough loss tonight but this UK team deserves a bowl game.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

It's not just the bowl that's big it is the 16 extra practices that are the most important!!

I understand that the extra practices help. I want UK football to be competitive as bad as anyone but things are not all roses like a lot of posters think they are. I'm seeing a lot of posts from giddy fans acting like we're on the verge of getting into the playoffs. YES WE'VE IMPROVED. We still have a lon

Sure hope our team isn,t as much of a QUITTER as you are. I believe we have 3 games remaining not 1!! You call yourself CHAMPCAT? What a joke!!!

Sure hope our team isn,t as much of a QUITTER as you are. I believe we have 3 games remaining not 1!! You call yourself CHAMPCAT? What a joke!!!

Dumbass, where in my post did I say anything about quitting. I just said we've beaten teams that are historically much better. And FWIW Georgia isn't exactly tearing it up. Just saw a news clip of Stoops saying the players didn't have the 'edge' he expected last night and he wasn't very pleased himself. Go jump his *** and get off of mine. Learn how to comprehend what you read or stop posting. It makes you look clueless.

 

[Xception]

I'm happy with a bowl , I don't see why anyone wouldn't be for a program that rarely goes to one

 

[TNCatfanforever]

We should go to a bowl. That's a step up for sure but we've beat really bad teams that have a history of being better. This season will make a lot of fans happy but it's not nearly as good as some think it is. Georgia is as bad as they'll ever be and they beat us at home when our fans supported this team like never before. The improvement is there but 6-6 this year is average at best.

All I ever expect from UK football is a bowl....I have come to like this team and Stoops has shown me something since taking over the defense. So if we beat Peay I am satisfied.