ESPN Preseason Top 25 for 2016

[allabouttheUK]

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

It's not the same though, that's my point. Changes were made and changes that pretty much everyone sees as positive. The ideology of Dawson did not fit our offense, but the ideology of Gran and Hinshaw most definitely does. Show your strengths and hide your weakness, that's what this hire should do.
I'm cautiously optimistic, but optimistic none the less. Could be another 5 win team, but if they show improvement on offense it will be a step forward because it will be felt on both sides of the ball.

 

[Strongtino]

I am still amazed people think next year's schedule is manageable. We could manage to be a better team and still only win 5.

I thought the same thing. Southern Miss isn't a guaranteed win either.

 

[JHB4UK]

improve every so slightly in the most troublesome areas....
~Leavitt and Young at the Tackles makes our O line at least slightly less of a sieve
~quarterback play who at the very least doesnt throw it to the other team so much
~wide receivers who try to catch balls
~hold serve on the games we won in 2015 (3 OOC outside of UL, USCjr, Mizzou)
~beat Vandy as we should have easily if not for a horrible OC calling the worst goal line plays imaginable

Why is that such a daunting task for some of you people? Nothing I've seen from coaching hires to recruiting tells me Mizzou is gonna be better in '16, ditto South Carolina.

or you can be a miserable fan hoping we will be worst and only win 4 games, free country, your choice. at least have the stones to spelling out why we will have the same or worst record.

 

[CatDaddy4daWin]

I just don't see how our schedule is just sooo difficult for this year. We play 4 ranked teams, all of our home games are winnable, and once again we should have a good shot at beating UL.

Southern Miss - tough opener but a WIN
@Florida - putting in loss column but Florida doesn't scare me
N Mexico St - WIN
South Carolina - should expect to WIN this game
@ Alabama - 1 of our 2 definite losses
Vandy - at home, this should be a WIN
OPEN - good time for an open date
Miss St - lose Dak and we get them at home...winnable game
@mizzou - new coaching staff, this should be a win
Georgia - new staff, at home, probably loss but we have a shot
@ UT - probably a definite loss here
Austin Peay - WIN
@ UL - once again we have talent parity and should be right there at the end.

Looking at the schedule and if this team improves dramatically on offense like they should, we are going bowling. Regardless of if we beat UL or not.

As much of a trainwreck as the team was last year, they had a chance to win 7 or 8 games. People act like we had a 2 win team last year or something.

Our team will have talent, experience and finally DEPTH at most positions. If the offensive line improves, the offense will improve, which means the defense will be improved, which means we win more games.

 

[EdNygma]

The 2015 schedule was the most manageable schedule for the Cats in the last decade. Based on the results I am shocked to see predictions of 4th in the East. When was the last time that the Cats finished that high?

 

[TJS4UK]

improve every so slightly in the most troublesome areas....
~Leavitt and Young at the Tackles makes our O line at least slightly less of a sieve
~quarterback play who at the very least doesnt throw it to the other team so much
~wide receivers who try to catch balls
~hold serve on the games we won in 2015 (3 OOC outside of UL, USCjr, Mizzou)
~beat Vandy as we should have easily if not for a horrible OC calling the worst goal line plays imaginable

...Nothing I've seen from coaching hires to recruiting tells me Mizzou is gonna be better in '16, ditto South Carolina...

Well said.

 

[Stonewall12]

Maybe because it's not the same staff, problems, and problem areas have been addressed. The class that a lot of the downers predicted to fall apart, in fact did not fall apart. Logical reasoning based on the hires of Gran and Hinshaw suggest that the offense will take a step forward. The line won't be responsible for holding a block on a pass play for 5 seconds, thus the line "look" and perform better.

I'm not jumping up and down declaring we are going to win the east, but I think we will see a better product and the numbers will be improved. Does that mean more wins? Who knows.
What I do know is that the SEC always have a positive surprise and a negative surprise just about every year.

This is all speculation. I hope it happens but I for one am not getting my hopes up. Dj Elliot is still here the person who did not scheme at all for the UL QB who carved us up and made us look like a Jr high. Tons of questions all over the place and the schedule is harder.

 

[JasonS.]

The 2015 schedule was the most manageable schedule for the Cats in the last decade. Based on the results I am shocked to see predictions of 4th in the East. When was the last time that the Cats finished that high?

2015

 

[WildcatUnderground]

Sorry, but the off season hype for us is already starting. I'm not convinced we will be better than Missouri, Vandy, or USClite. We very well may be looking for a new coach at the end of the season.

Why do folks think the offense will be better? We will be lucky to win 4 games next year.

Because it's obvious we have extremely talented pieces, but the "puzzle" couldn't be put together, per se. All young, all thought they were better than the veterans, created locker room problems, ship sunk. This team should have won 8 games last season. Factor in players leaving on defense, but new replacements and team getting a year older, new, well respected OC, a REAL QB coach in Hinshaw, etc., this team should win 6-7 games with harder schedule. As awful as the season ended, we were 3 plays away from beating Florida, Auburn, and Vandy. The problems were bigger than the players. Talent is there and only getting older.

 

[JHB4UK]

Dj Elliot is still here the person who did not scheme at all for the UL QB who carved us up and made us look like a Jr high. T

wish people would move on from the immediate postgame comments of a frustrated senior linebacker who's individual play was embarrassing from the moment he selfishly chucked a wonderful pick six football into the stands. kid wanted to deflect attention away from himself & his poor play so he pointed a finger at the coaches instead. go watch the tape, UK's defense adjusted and played Jackson just fine when he entered the game and into the 3rd. the D quit when they saw the offense had quit.

 

[Strongtino]

You know after really looking at the schedule, I'm starting to think its not that bad either. You'll have 2 for certain wins in New Mexico and Austin Peay.

- Southern Miss is a very good team and will be a challenging opener for a new OC, but its a game they SHOULD win.
- South Carolina at home, with a new coach, a new coached who sucked at Florida and USCjr has no talent on offense. Very, very winnable game.
- Alabama - Certain loss.
- Vandy at home - probable win. Vandy isn't as bad as people probably think and will likely (should be?) improved in 2016. At home, should win.
- Miss St at home - Miss State - on paper, this is probably a meeting of two similar teams as far as talent and should be a game UK wins.
- @Missouri - New HC and they were terrible last year. Another probable win.
- UGA at home - Probable loss
- @UT - Certain loss
- @UL - Near certain loss

UK could very easily win 7 games with that schedule if everything went well - USM, UNM, AP, USCjr, Miss St, Vandy, Missouri. My only concern is that you've got a new OC, and a QB learning another new offense..under his 3rd OC in 3 years and Mark Stoops hasn't demonstrated the ability to "coach up" or even get his players to perform at a level they're capable of so far in his 3 years at UK. Has the locker room drama and divide been fixed? Was that the only problem that caused back-to-back late season collapses? The schedule isn't as bad as I originally thought though and is one that UK could traverse back to a bowl game.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

You know after really looking at the schedule, I'm starting to think its not that bad either. You'll have 2 for certain wins in New Mexico and Austin Peay.

- Southern Miss is a very good team and will be a challenging opener for a new OC, but its a game they SHOULD win.
- South Carolina at home, with a new coach, a new coached who sucked at Florida and USCjr has no talent on offense. Very, very winnable game.
- Alabama - Certain loss.
- Vandy at home - probable win. Vandy isn't as bad as people probably think and will likely (should be?) improved in 2016. At home, should win.
- Miss St at home - Miss State - on paper, this is probably a meeting of two similar teams as far as talent and should be a game UK wins.
- @Missouri - New HC and they were terrible last year. Another probable win.
- UGA at home - Probable loss
- @UT - Certain loss
- @UL - Near certain loss

UK could very easily win 7 games with that schedule if everything went well - USM, UNM, AP, USCjr, Miss St, Vandy, Missouri. My only concern is that you've got a new OC, and a QB learning another new offense..under his 3rd OC in 3 years and Mark Stoops hasn't demonstrated the ability to "coach up" or even get his players to perform at a level they're capable of so far in his 3 years at UK. Has the locker room drama and divide been fixed? Was that the only problem that caused back-to-back late season collapses? The schedule isn't as bad as I originally thought though and is one that UK could traverse back to a bowl game.

LOL, UL is almost never a "near-certain" loss for UK (I'd say there were one or two of them during the probation early rich brooks era and the first year of stoops' regime are the 2-3 that come to mind). UL was not that good this year. I do expect UL to be better next year, but as many have said (include TPE and a few other UL posters), the talent gap is either narrow or gone (and some seem to think it will tilt toward UK this year or next). Now, I am NOT predicting a UK win as I will believe it when I see UK beat a Petrino UL team, but we've certainly had our chances in 2014 (4 point loss on the road) and 2015 (21-0 lead and then a 17 point halftime lead).

 

[ZenCatFan73]

No RB?

He is # 9 and the other guy is Pettaway the DT. They will be fine.

Jeebus Criminy. Please Note : This picture illustrates why Bama is Bama and we're UK.

 

[Michigan Fan]

LOL, UL is almost never a "near-certain" loss for UK (I'd say there were one or two of them during the probation early rich brooks era and the first year of stoops' regime are the 2-3 that come to mind). UL was not that good this year. I do expect UL to be better next year, but as many have said (include TPE and a few other UL posters), the talent gap is either narrow or gone (and some seem to think it will tilt toward UK this year or next). Now, I am NOT predicting a UK win as I will believe it when I see UK beat a Petrino UL team, but we've certainly had our chances in 2014 (4 point loss on the road) and 2015 (21-0 lead and then a 17 point halftime lead).

I would not go "certain loss" for Kentucky at PJCS in 2016 but I do like our chances but Louisville will enter 2016 Preseason Top 25. I don't question the Kentucky talent because the Wildcats do IMO have physical talent...but it is the things that was mentioned in the above post about what you have yet shown the ability to overcome...lockerroom drama, 3rd OC in 3 years...Stoops and his staff ability to coach his players up and in game adjustments...

This coming season the talent advantage is IMO Louisville, not a wide gap but a gap especially experienced talent on the defensive side of the ball and QB...still return 18 players that played virtually the entire MCB.

 

[HedleyLamarr]

For whatever Sagarin ratings are worth, Kentucky finished ranked 81st. Nine of next year's opponents were ranked in the top 70. Vandy was 82, NM St 170, and Austin Peay a sparkling 238. Kentucky has more question marks going into 2016 than they appeared to in 2015, especially at the QB position. If Barker doesn't pan out, or gets hurt, and if the o line doesn't improve, it could be a very tough year for the Cats. UK has the potential to be improved, but you have to be a true fan to predict it. I guess that is what message boards are for...

 

[RammerJammer91_rivals23256]

Jonathan Allen and Reuben Foster are returning for their Senior seasons. Won't be much of a drop off with the Defense. Those close to the program believe OJ Howard is leaning towards returning.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Jonathan Allen and Reuben Foster are returning for their Senior seasons. Won't be much of a drop off with the Defense. Those close to the program believe OJ Howard is leaning towards returning.

Bama is was so deep last season Allen and Foster backups would start for most of the conference. Ridley is bigtime playmaker, only one in conference on his level would be Christian Kirk at A&M. Getting Howard back is big, but you have to replace what turned out to be a very effective qb and I realize you have a couple of 5* RBs waiting in the wings, its unrealistic to expect them to have the production of Henry and Drake. Bama will be very good next year, no question about that, but schedule will be tough and having to replace all the lost offense might be tougher than expected. UT should be heavy favorite in the East and as long as Dobbs is healthy they should run the table.

OM has beaten Bama 2 years in a row and without a fluke play by Arkansas in OT would have won the West, maybe the SEC too, but UF did beat them in regular season. Would the playoff committee put a 2 loss OM or UF in the playoffs, would they have put Bama in without playing in the championship game? OM, in my opinion will be Bama's biggest threat in the West. LSU still doesn't have a passing threat, Dak is gone, A&M is a mess, Arky lost almost all their offense, AU still has Guz and without a freak at qb their offense is awful.

In the East, half the division has new coaches, well 3 do, and 1 has a 2 year coach and the other 3 are entering their 4th year. Vandy was improved but down on talent, Missouri lost a coach who got a lot out of his talent and their DL coach, UF is losing a lot to the draft with 3 year players leaving, USC is down on talent with a first year coach, UK is searching for a qb, same with UGA who very likely play the 16 season without Chubb.

Just have your guys watch their knees playing on the cow pasture at UT, we have lost 4, 3 were non contact, to serious knee injuries the last 2 times we played there, if they don't fix their turf SEC should make them play at another location.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

I would not go "certain loss" for Kentucky at PJCS in 2016 but I do like our chances but Louisville will enter 2016 Preseason Top 25. I don't question the Kentucky talent because the Wildcats do IMO have physical talent...but it is the things that was mentioned in the above post about what you have yet shown the ability to overcome...lockerroom drama, 3rd OC in 3 years...Stoops and his staff ability to coach his players up and in game adjustments...

This coming season the talent advantage is IMO Louisville, not a wide gap but a gap especially experienced talent on the defensive side of the ball and QB...still return 18 players that played virtually the entire MCB.

A few things:

-I agree that UL should be favored to beat UK next year. No doubt about it, even if that thought is only based on momentum and coaching alone.

-You declared the talent gap to be gone this year (2015). What do you see that suggests that Louisville has regained the talent edge for 2016? UK is recruiting better than UL (at least according to the recruiting gurus), so curious as to why you think this?

Again, I think UK is a total mess, so I think it would be crazy to EXPECT UK to beat UL in PJCS based on the current goings-on. But, the season is long, so who knows how things will look in Nov. 2016.

 

[Michigan Fan]

A few things:

-I agree that UL should be favored to beat UK next year. No doubt about it, even if that thought is only based on momentum and coaching alone.

-You declared the talent gap to be gone this year (2015). What do you see that suggests that Louisville has regained the talent edge for 2016? UK is recruiting better than UL (at least according to the recruiting gurus), so curious as to why you think this?

Again, I think UK is a total mess, so I think it would be crazy to EXPECT UK to beat UL in PJCS based on the current goings-on. But, the season is long, so who knows how things will look in Nov. 2016.

Pure talent level not that much different...but I haven't yet seen the player development aspect...have not seen your guys get better and IMO reached their potential...also going into 2016 it appears we retain the vast majority of starters between the two teams...if I am not mistaken the majority of your defense left this past year...that not the case at Louisville...plus I didn't expect JHC, Fields and Keith Kelsey to return for their Senior seasons....thought all 3 would make the jump...the last 6 games Fields regained the form he had at TCU.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

Pure talent level not that much different...but I haven't yet seen the player development aspect...have not seen your guys get better and IMO reached their potential...also going into 2016 it appears we retain the vast majority of starters between the two teams...if I am not mistaken the majority of your defense left this past year...that not the case at Louisville...plus I didn't expect JHC, Fields and Keith Kelsey to return for their Senior seasons....thought all 3 would make the jump...the last 6 games Fields regained the form he had at TCU.

OK, I can buy that. I thought earlier that you said UL had a talent advantage and it looks like what you're really saying is that UL has an edge in player development and returning experience. Hard to argue with that (though I'm not sure that UL really showed outstanding player development this year given the year-long problems on the O-line and that defense was certainly leaky a good portion of the year for all of the hype that we were fed before the season began).

 

[GhostVol]

Just have your guys watch their knees playing on the cow pasture at UT, we have lost 4, 3 were non contact, to serious knee injuries the last 2 times we played there, if they don't fix their turf SEC should make them play at another location.

I'll admit a mea culpa about our field. Our longtime groundskeeper retired and was replaced by some guy who used to be the head field guy at some golf course. Golf and football are two different animals. Shields-Watkins Field will be back up to par for the 2016 season.

 

[JasonS.]

SB Nation way too early Preseason Top 25: http://www.sbnation.com/college-foo...football-rankings-top-25-2016-early-preseason

From our slate:
2. Alabama
10. Tennessee
21. Louisville
22. Georgia
23. Florida

 

[ok-cats-computer]

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. The same old off season, with the same folks down plating teams we have struggled to beat and make unrealistic predictions. We had one of the weaker schedules last year with key teams being down and we barely won five games. Next year's schedule is brutal. No way our wins improve. It's not being a Debbie Downer, it is being realistic.

I understand your point that Kentucky has lots of questions to answer next season, but it's fair to say that we have an opportunity to move up in the SEC East, because other teams also have questions to answer. Georgia, USC, and Mizzou are all in uncertain transitions to new coaches. Vandy doesn't look intimidating. We have a legit chance to beat Vandy, Mizzou, and USC. If we can take advantage of the fact that Georgia is in a transition year, then we are in line for a nice bowl game. I would concede that it's unlikely that we win against Tennessee and Florida. Still, the potential for a bowl is there for the taking.

 

[Strongtino]

LOL, UL is almost never a "near-certain" loss for UK (I'd say there were one or two of them during the probation early rich brooks era and the first year of stoops' regime are the 2-3 that come to mind). UL was not that good this year. I do expect UL to be better next year, but as many have said (include TPE and a few other UL posters), the talent gap is either narrow or gone (and some seem to think it will tilt toward UK this year or next). Now, I am NOT predicting a UK win as I will believe it when I see UK beat a Petrino UL team, but we've certainly had our chances in 2014 (4 point loss on the road) and 2015 (21-0 lead and then a 17 point halftime lead).

Public has essentially explained my points but I thought I would comment anyway, since it was my post. I wrote "near" certain because at this point, I think most would agree...it would be pretty shocking to see UK go into Louisville and win next year with Louisville returning 18 starters. As far as the "talent"....I don't really think something as simple as recruiting rankings are really any type of gauge on the talent on the roster because of transfers and coaching. One can simply look at something as simple as comparing Drew Barker's career to Lamar Jackson's. Barker came in highly touted and highly ranked and he's been on campus 2 years and looked pretty bad in his limited action this year and Lamar was on campus for a semester and set a bowl game record with the likes of Manziel and Vince Young. Rankings are fine..but coaching and development matters and I've seen little that demonstrates the UK staff know how to develop their talent. Even if we go by pure recruiting rankings, the gap isn't really in UKs favor....UKs currently 30th, UL 36th, in 2015 it was UK 38th, UL 32nd, 2014, UK 22nd, UL 44th, 2013, UK 34th, UL 37th....so even based on rankings UK isnt really recruiting "better" than UL aside from the 2013 class (in which UL only took 18 commits) all the other classes are basically the same.

So I put it in the classification of "near" certain loss because at this point the UK staff have shown me nothing to think they'll be any better in 2016 and UL will start the season ranked and "should" be a 10 win team next year. Obviously in a rivalry game its difficult to predict a "certain" win...

 

[Michigan Fan]

SB Nation way too early Preseason Top 25: http://www.sbnation.com/college-foo...football-rankings-top-25-2016-early-preseason

From our slate:
2. Alabama
10. Tennessee
21. Louisville
22. Georgia
23. Florida

That was the consensus of all the Way Too Early Rankings...

 

[Orange_N_White]

If you guys can't win 6 next year you have the wrong coach.

usc jr, vandy, mizzou are dumpster fires. 3 OOC wins peay, new Mexico, southern miss = 6 minimum

You aren't a terrible team in talent.

Just can't see you not with at least 6 unless coaching collapses

 

[WildCard]

LOL, UL is almost never a "near-certain" loss for UK (I'd say there were one or two of them during the probation early rich brooks era and the first year of stoops' regime are the 2-3 that come to mind). UL was not that good this year. I do expect UL to be better next year, but as many have said (include TPE and a few other UL posters), the talent gap is either narrow or gone (and some seem to think it will tilt toward UK this year or next). Now, I am NOT predicting a UK win as I will believe it when I see UK beat a Petrino UL team, but we've certainly had our chances in 2014 (4 point loss on the road) and 2015 (21-0 lead and then a 17 point halftime lead).

Well, I agree that the phrase UK being a "near certain loss" to UofL is a bit too strong for this still very young on field rivalry. But in the 22 modern era games the Cards have been favored 14 times; 6 of those games by 10 points or more. The Cards won 5 of those 6 losing as a 13 point favorite in 2002. The Cats were a 10+ point favorite only in 1998 (-10) and 2009 (-13) and won both those games. The most either team has been favored was UofL by 23 points in 2005 and 2006 (both wins).

The Cats only lead in the series came in the inaugural game when the Cats managed their only win of the year against the Cards. After losing the next 2 games the Cats tied the series at 2-2 (1997) and again at 3-3 (1999). After that the Cards have held a fairly commanding 11-5 series lead.

It is hard (at least for me) to discuss "talent gap". The Cats have recruited on paper better under CMS than any UK coach in recent memory but if you go by "rankings" the Cards are not very far behind. However, the real "talent gap" is measured by what happens on the field. And, right now, the Cards seemingly have a bit of a head to head on field advantage. Will that change this year? I don't know.

Peace

 

[HedleyLamarr]

There is no such thing as a near certain loss in this series. There are a million variables that will come into play between now and the end of November. About all you can say with certainty is that it is likely that Louisville will be favored at home. It might very well be the third straight year that Kentucky needs to beat Louisville to make a bowl, but no one can predict that with certainty. Kentucky could put it all together next year, or fall apart completely. It does worry me that we have a trip to Houston the week before the UK game. If UK does figure it out next year, that is a bad scenario for the Cards.

 

[WildCard]

There is no such thing as a near certain loss in this series. There are a million variables that will come into play between now and the end of November. About all you can say with certainty is that it is likely that Louisville will be favored at home....It does worry me that we have a trip to Houston the week before the UK game. If UK does figure it out next year, that is a bad scenario for the Cards.

Agree with that. This is the 3rd year in a row where the Cards have had a big road game the week before playing UK (ND, Pitt, now Houston). Meanwhile UK has had a bye week, Charlotte and now Austin Peay (all at CWS) before playing the Cards. I don't care what anybody says, that gives a bit more game prep time to the Cats. Cards are still "paying off" some AAC games and rescheduled games. Just the way it is right now.

Peace

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

Public has essentially explained my points but I thought I would comment anyway, since it was my post. I wrote "near" certain because at this point, I think most would agree...it would be pretty shocking to see UK go into Louisville and win next year with Louisville returning 18 starters. As far as the "talent"....I don't really think something as simple as recruiting rankings are really any type of gauge on the talent on the roster because of transfers and coaching. One can simply look at something as simple as comparing Drew Barker's career to Lamar Jackson's. Barker came in highly touted and highly ranked and he's been on campus 2 years and looked pretty bad in his limited action this year and Lamar was on campus for a semester and set a bowl game record with the likes of Manziel and Vince Young. Rankings are fine..but coaching and development matters and I've seen little that demonstrates the UK staff know how to develop their talent. Even if we go by pure recruiting rankings, the gap isn't really in UKs favor....UKs currently 30th, UL 36th, in 2015 it was UK 38th, UL 32nd, 2014, UK 22nd, UL 44th, 2013, UK 34th, UL 37th....so even based on rankings UK isnt really recruiting "better" than UL aside from the 2013 class (in which UL only took 18 commits) all the other classes are basically the same.

So I put it in the classification of "near" certain loss because at this point the UK staff have shown me nothing to think they'll be any better in 2016 and UL will start the season ranked and "should" be a 10 win team next year. Obviously in a rivalry game its difficult to predict a "certain" win...

UK will be a single-digit underdog in that game if the odds were posted today. That's nothing close to a "near-certain" loss. That statement would be valid if UL is a 2-3 TD favorite like they were in Bridgewater's senior year (that would have been a near-certain victory for UL). UK nearly beat you as heavy dogs in 2014, so I'm not buying it.

Regarding the talent gap, TPE declared the gap to be gone this year on more than one occasion. I was speaking to him, not to you.

UK is outrecruiting UL according to the experts. It may not be a large gap, but it's a gap.

With all that said, UL has the edge in coaching and / or player development until UK proves otherwise.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

If you guys can't win 6 next year you have the wrong coach.

usc jr, vandy, mizzou are dumpster fires. 3 OOC wins peay, new Mexico, southern miss = 6 minimum

You aren't a terrible team in talent.

Just can't see you not with at least 6 unless coaching collapses

Completely agree. The schedule is tough, but this is not the meat grinder that everyone makes it out to be. Bama and UT are murderous and near certain losses.

Seems to me, however, that even our other tough games are all winnable - UGA, UF, UL, MSU. Granted, there aren't many layups, but if Stoops can't win 6 in 2016, he should be fired.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

There is no such thing as a near certain loss in this series. There are a million variables that will come into play between now and the end of November. About all you can say with certainty is that it is likely that Louisville will be favored at home. It might very well be the third straight year that Kentucky needs to beat Louisville to make a bowl, but no one can predict that with certainty. Kentucky could put it all together next year, or fall apart completely. It does worry me that we have a trip to Houston the week before the UK game. If UK does figure it out next year, that is a bad scenario for the Cards.

Fair post.

 

[Michigan Fan]

UK will be a single-digit underdog in that game if the odds were posted today. That's nothing close to a "near-certain" loss. That statement would be valid if UL is a 2-3 TD favorite like they were in Bridgewater's senior year (that would have been a near-certain victory for UL). UK nearly beat you as heavy dogs in 2014, so I'm not buying it.

Regarding the talent gap, TPE declared the gap to be gone this year on more than one occasion. I was speaking to him, not to you.

UK is outrecruiting UL according to the experts. It may not be a large gap, but it's a gap.

With all that said, UL has the edge in coaching and / or player development until UK proves otherwise.

JMO...in terms of pure athletic ability not much difference and even the Tennessee fan acknowledged that Kentucky has plenty of talent...already addressed the issues currently between the two schools and why I feel Louisville is in a better position going forward as of today...but as we know things can and do change on a dime