ESPN pre-season football rankings

3kidsandme

Heisman
Jan 12, 2013
7,345
10,353
0
Uk lost nothing on offense adds a 4 star and 5 star tackle. The defense is deeper and more athletic than last year. I think uk goes 7 5.
 
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WildcatofNati

Heisman
Mar 31, 2009
8,183
12,420
0
Has Kentucky at 54th, dead last in the SEC. Dirtybirds are 12th. Someone needs to let them know about the Eddie Gran hire!
54th is actually a helluva lot better than UK would have been ranked at the end of 2015. UK would have correctly been ranked somewhere around 80, if even that. They were lower in the computer rankings.

With that said, if UK is 54, then Vandy and Mizzou should probably be lower and probably South Carolina as well.

And the Tards being No. 12?

That's a joke.
 

Mr Schwump

Heisman
Nov 4, 2006
29,563
23,097
18
4/5 as usual, until other wise proven on the field.

I don't disagree with this. There's multiple questions surrounding this team, major questions that have to be dealt with in a positive way before win totals increase.
 

WildCard

All-American
May 29, 2001
65,040
7,390
0
ESPN likes to make things as confusing as possible. Per this link, UofL is a pre-season #12 and UK #54 in their Football Power Index (whatever that is). Per this link UofL just fell out of ESPN Way-Too-Early 2016 Top 25 Number 2 and are now #26 or #27 in this particular poll/survey/opinion whatever. FWIW, the average of these 2 ESPN "rankings" is about #20 which is in the neighborhood (actually a bit higher) than where UofL has been in about a dozen other Way-Too-Early 2016 Top 25 lists.

Peace
 

Cats78

Senior
Dec 28, 2005
8,695
998
0
ESPN likes to make things as confusing as possible. Per this link, UofL is a pre-season #12 and UK #54 in their Football Power Index (whatever that is). Per this link UofL just fell out of ESPN Way-Too-Early 2016 Top 25 Number 2 and are now #26 or #27 in this particular poll/survey/opinion whatever. FWIW, the average of these 2 ESPN "rankings" is about #20 which is in the neighborhood (actually a bit higher) than where UofL has been in about a dozen other Way-Too-Early 2016 Top 25 lists.

Peace


If Jackson progresses, could have a nice team. If not, probably average. Do you guys think you'll finally get a win vs a top 25 team next year? It's been a long time.
 
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katwest

Heisman
Feb 16, 2003
39,151
12,656
113
If I were Stoops I would make sure ESPN predicts them as finishing last in the SEC is all over the walls in the locker room, they have had 4 good years of recruiting, that alone should make them better than last. Being so close to a bowl game and tired of losing, if I'm a player that's all the incentive I need to prove them wrong.
 
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buckkiller

All-Conference
Nov 6, 2003
131,233
2,466
0
I hate UL but I dont care what anyone says their QB is a beast and will win some games by himself. With that QB I can see them easily top 20 with only Clemson and FSU their only competition in conference.
 
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JasonS.

All-American
Oct 10, 2001
41,813
7,192
0
We could be last in the SEC, but I don't think it's very likely. I'd slot us at 12th or 13th preseason.
 

WildCard

All-American
May 29, 2001
65,040
7,390
0
If Jackson progresses, could have a nice team. If not, probably average. Do you guys think you'll finally get a win vs a top 25 team next year? It's been a long time.
Well, naturally Jackson needs to improve in his passing game. He was the 5th highest rated t-FR in QB rating finishing #71 nationally. I think he can/should improve. Will he? I don't know. However, I think the single biggest required improvement overall is generating a better run game outside of Jackson.

How long has it been? FL in 2012? Over the years the Cards have not had too many shots at a Top 25 team but that is changing with the ACC memberships, both from a regular season and kickoff/bowl opportunities. As for Top 25 teams it is certainly nice to get a big win but I would personally rather finish in the Top 25 than just claim a victory over a Top 25 team.

Notwithstanding a possible Top 25 bowl opponent the Cards will likely have 3 shots at a Top 25 regular season opponent next year, @ Clemson, FSU @ home and @ Houston. The UH game has now been moved to a Thursday thus shortening the prep time. Those will be tough games. Card fans are now experiencing what Cat fans have felt for years, the top part of the schedule is very tough and you can't sleep on anybody in the middle.

Peace
 

Michigan Fan

All-Conference
Feb 18, 2003
9,872
2,274
62
Well, naturally Jackson needs to improve in his passing game. He was the 5th highest rated t-FR in QB rating finishing #71 nationally. I think he can/should improve. Will he? I don't know. However, I think the single biggest required improvement overall is generating a better run game outside of Jackson.

How long has it been? FL in 2012? Over the years the Cards have not had too many shots at a Top 25 team but that is changing with the ACC memberships, both from a regular season and kickoff/bowl opportunities. As for Top 25 teams it is certainly nice to get a big win but I would personally rather finish in the Top 25 than just claim a victory over a Top 25 team.

Notwithstanding a possible Top 25 bowl opponent the Cards will likely have 3 shots at a Top 25 regular season opponent next year, @ Clemson, FSU @ home and @ Houston. The UH game has now been moved to a Thursday thus shortening the prep time. Those will be tough games. Card fans are now experiencing what Cat fans have felt for years, the top part of the schedule is very tough and you can't sleep on anybody in the middle.

Peace

Spring Practice is a must...it been open the past few years and I am interested in seeing the development of the OL which is the key to the 2016 season along with the in the pocket development of Lamar Jackson and to see if he is more comfortable taking snaps/footwork from under center. On defense also interested on how they will replace Sheldon Rankins...that for Louisville is like replacing DeVante Parker on offense last year.

As for beating a Top 25 team in 2016...we shall see, ESPN current Preseason 2016 College Football Power Index has FSU #2 & Clemson #4 with Louisville coming in @ 12th Nationally...both are going to be tall orders especially playing Clemson in Death Valley. Beating Peach Bowl Champs Houston on a short week ain't gonna be easy either. Bottom line UofL isn't in the old C-USA/BIG EAST/AAC anymore. It appears according to the early hype the ACC Atlantic is one of the tougher divisions in College Football in 2016.
 
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STUCKNBIG10

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2006
7,302
2,861
0
Spring Practice is a must...it been open the past few years and I am interested in seeing the development of the OL which is the key to the 2016 season along with the in the pocket development of Lamar Jackson and to see if he is more comfortable taking snaps/footwork from under center. On defense also interested on how they will replace Sheldon Rankins...that for Louisville is like replacing DeVante Parker on offense last year.

As for beating a Top 25 team in 2016...we shall see, ESPN current Preseason 2016 College Football Power Index has FSU #2 & Clemson #4 with Louisville coming in @ 12th Nationally...both are going to be tall orders especially playing Clemson in Death Valley. Beating Peach Bowl Champs Houston on a short week ain't gonna be easy either. Bottom line UofL isn't in the old C-USA/BIG EAST/AAC anymore. It appears according to the early hype the ACC Atlantic is one of the tougher divisions in College Football in 2016.

No doubt that FSU and Clemson aren't going anywhere and those will be tough games in 2016, but to say that the ACC atlantic is one of the tougher divisions in football in 2016 is a bit much. I'd rank the SEC West, the Big 10 east, and both Pac 12 divisions as ones I'd rather avoid over the ACC Atlantic. The SEC east is close and certainly has more upside (the main difference is that the two top ACC teams are extremely good while the top of the SEC East is iffy at this point; the bottom of the SEC east has much more potential than the bottom of the ACC Atlantic).
 

Michigan Fan

All-Conference
Feb 18, 2003
9,872
2,274
62
I'm not so much saying that but going by the FPI going into 2016..The SEC West is the best...what surprised me in the FPI was the disrespect they gave the B1G East...the highest ranked school Michigan @ 11th, Ohio State @ 17th and Michigan State @ 34th. No love @ all for that division.
 
Mar 21, 2006
310
236
0
The QB question would hold WKU back till it's answered. The Hilltoppers have 6 QBs in the mix. Going to be some hurt feelings on that team I would suspect over the summer.
 

3kidsandme

Heisman
Jan 12, 2013
7,345
10,353
0
You mean four or five wins as usual? If so, I pretty much agree. Less talk, more results please.

The above posts predicting 7-5 and 8-4 must have been cut and pasted from 1985, I know I have been reading them since Gore invented the internet.
Bite me I predicted 2 wins Stoops first year 5 his 2nd. Last year I predicted 6 6 I was waaaayyyyyy off 5 7. It's year 4 with a proven oc and lots of depth and talent. This team is not ready in the trenches to win 9 10 but they almost won 8 last year with a god awful coordinator.
 

UKCatNnc

All-Conference
Sep 30, 2005
6,163
1,736
0
This ranking does not surprise me. We need to show that we deserve a better ranking. - Which I expect us to do this year. Go Cats!!
 
Feb 21, 2006
8,403
9,162
0
What have we done to warrant a ranking hire than 54 and dead least in the SEC?

I'm surprised we're not dead last...

we got beat by vandy for crying out loud...

Lost our Veteran QB...

New offensive staff...

don't really have a stable QB situation...our choice is an unproven back up who failed to impress when given the opportunity last season and a juco transfer...

Ansley is gone...

folks, we got a long hard haul in front of us...
 

3kidsandme

Heisman
Jan 12, 2013
7,345
10,353
0
What have we done to warrant a ranking hire than 54 and dead least in the SEC?

I'm surprised we're not dead last...

we got beat by vandy for crying out loud...

Lost our Veteran QB...

New offensive staff...

don't really have a stable QB situation...our choice is an unproven back up who failed to impress when given the opportunity last season and a juco transfer...

Ansley is gone...

folks, we got a long hard haul in front of us...
Ok that's the negative side. Positive we beat usc and missouri. We lost a horrible fit at oc and replaced him with not one but 2 OC that just had an offense that finished 6th nationally. We return 10 of 11 starters replacing the one OT with a 4 star juco and a 5 star. We are bringing in imo a top juco wr in Ross. Also on defense we return 13 players that started more than 1 game.
 
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HedleyLamarr

Senior
Oct 23, 2007
1,851
516
0
Horrible results from that formula. FSU 2nd. Houston 48th. What a total joke. If it is truly based on the last four years, then there is a whole lot of irrelevant data being considered. Teddy Bridgewater and Jameis Winston will not be available next season....
 
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STUCKNBIG10

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2006
7,302
2,861
0
I need to see if Barker can be better than I think he is (i have very little faith that he is an SEC quarterback) before I can think that we're going to win more than 5-6 games.
 

Michigan Fan

All-Conference
Feb 18, 2003
9,872
2,274
62
Horrible results from that formula. FSU 2nd. Houston 48th. What a total joke. If it is truly based on the last four years, then there is a whole lot of irrelevant data being considered. Teddy Bridgewater and Jameis Winston will not be available next season....

Ok if that the case the past 4 years it is worthless....just me a Preseason Power Ranking should consist of were you finished offensively and defensively...returning starters and incoming players.
 

Pike 96

All-Conference
Jun 7, 2010
3,162
4,344
0
What have we done to warrant a ranking hire than 54 and dead least in the SEC?

I'm surprised we're not dead last...

we got beat by vandy for crying out loud...

Lost our Veteran QB...

New offensive staff...

don't really have a stable QB situation...our choice is an unproven back up who failed to impress when given the opportunity last season and a juco transfer...

Ansley is gone...

folks, we got a long hard haul in front of us...

Losing our veteran QB from the last 2 years is addition by subtraction.
Towles, just like any QB is the single biggest difference maker game in and game out. I don't care if Barker or Johnson play...I'm just glad we don't have to see Towles anymore. Good kid...but he is what he is with a low memtal game ceiling.
 

jauk11

Heisman
Dec 6, 2006
60,631
18,638
0
I have never had a very high opinion of ESPN in regards to anything, and this certainly does nothing to improve that opinion.
 
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RealCat41

Senior
Oct 1, 2009
1,250
461
0
Losing our veteran QB from the last 2 years is addition by subtraction.
Towles, just like any QB is the single biggest difference maker game in and game out. I don't care if Barker or Johnson play...I'm just glad we don't have to see Towles anymore. Good kid...but he is what he is with a low memtal game ceiling.

Yes, so low that the team he's going to, Boston College, is ranked higher than Kentucky, even after coming off a 3-9 season.

Perhaps ESPN can figure out what the word "memtal" means.
 

BigBoyBlueMMA

Senior
Jul 14, 2013
849
479
63
Bite me I predicted 2 wins Stoops first year 5 his 2nd. Last year I predicted 6 6 I was waaaayyyyyy off 5 7. It's year 4 with a proven oc and lots of depth and talent. This team is not ready in the trenches to win 9 10 but they almost won 8 last year with a god awful coordinator.
not to be an antagonist - but a realist - "almost won 8" is also the same as "almost won 4" when you look at EKU - so almost does not count

they could have a MUCH better team this year - and finish 5-7 with the schedule
 

tmuck

All-Conference
Oct 2, 2009
10,982
3,849
0
OP smells like a UL troll if you read his post history. Real sarcastic subtle troll. Surprised many of you didn't sniff this thread out.
 

tmuck

All-Conference
Oct 2, 2009
10,982
3,849
0
He's definitely a troll, but I believe that he is a WKU troll, not a Tard troll.
He's probably both, but only because Brohm the former dirty bird is there. He's a UL fan first and foremost. These clowns are so easy to spot and sniff out.
 

CATFANFOLIFE87

Heisman
Apr 8, 2008
17,710
22,416
0
How long has it been? FL in 2012? Over the years the Cards have not had too many shots at a Top 25 team but that is changing with the ACC memberships, both from a regular season and kickoff/bowl opportunities. As for Top 25 teams it is certainly nice to get a big win but I would personally rather finish in the Top 25 than just claim a victory over a Top 25 team.
Peace

The problem is that they put a team in the top 25 without beating anyone in the top 25 to get there. UL fans do a lot of puffing out their chests about their football success the last 15 or so years but have very few signature wins to show for it