Going to a Bowl .... but

Crushgroove

Heisman
Oct 11, 2014
7,331
18,625
0
Do you realize that over the years this happens to dozens of teams and they don't apology for it so why do you think we have to? If we get to 6 wins we deserve a bowl, period, no matter what some think on here.
I can't remember ANY SEC team apologizing for beating a BAD UK team by 60. Not even once. Nor do I remember a team turning down a bowl bid b/c they beat UK and UK just sucked so bad.

Auburn went undefeated in 2004, but 8 of the 12 teams they played had 6-6 records or worse. Did they apologize when their weak SOS kept them out of the NC Game? Nope, they were so apologetic, they made their own NC trophy and rings.
 
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ukalumni00

Heisman
Jun 22, 2005
23,382
39,196
113
It's simple. Stoops needs to find his "franchise" QB. He also needs to get better talent and depth in the front 7. Everywhere else I think the program is fine. Getting Wills would solidify the tackle position and with Drake coming off a RS UK has one of the best Olines in the country.

It is what it is right now. UK is scraping by with a very marginal QB who is doing his best. Without that fumble UK wins by 17+ and we are talking about how UK handled Miss St who by the way could easily be 5-2 right now.
 

LordEgg_rivals16573

All-Conference
Jun 4, 2003
66,315
2,807
0
Barring a stupid fumble we beat that team by 14 or more points. Did imthe fumble happen? Y s. Did we lose momentum? Yes. And we still one. I think this is one of the more important games in the last several years for directional confirmation.
 
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cat_in_the_hat

All-Conference
Jan 28, 2004
5,909
4,457
0
If the SEC was what it will be and has been, we would be DOA.

And the SEC won't stay this way for long, so whats the end game?

Stoops gets to 6, maybe win 6 or 7 next year, and stays?

We could be looking at a disastrous result over the next decade, sue to his 4th and 5th year being a down conference stretch.

Some people don't like it, and like citing out history, while ignoring the elephant in the room. Millions, million upon million in revenue like we've never seen before. No wonder they want this little fact to go unnoticed.

I ignore posters who cite that BS. They are ignorant to the current climate of college football.

I hope Stoops is good for building and producing a shot at an SEC title, something I've wanted for over 20 years and most of my life. But I just can't see it. I see a mediocre coach who would never be able to produce to what our standard should be.

And I don't give a damn about a sunshine pumper or ignorant "look at the past" fan that doesn't see it.

UK can be great. We just need a different approach.
Here is the problem I have with how you are thinking about things. It's a "if I don't get my way, I'm going to take my ball and go home" attitude. None of us know how the SEC will evolve over time, or how Stoops will evolve as a coach over time. To think your view of the future is perfect and infallible is just silly. If you got your way, there would be other fans saying exactly what you are saying today about how you would approach building this program. Fans need to realize they are not decision makers, and they shouldn't be. Fans need to support the team, the coach, the AD, until the bitter end. The idea that if UK would only do it my way, we would be be challenging for the SEC title, is absurd. It's easy to criticize the path taken and idealize the path not taken as the solution. It's like the back-up quarter back always being the answer if the staff would only play him.
 

Aike

Heisman
Mar 17, 2002
75,170
45,507
90
There are 40 Bowls, so 80 teams get to go bowling.

I'm not going to apologize for making a Bowl by beating number 54 MSU, number 57 Missouri, 68th ranked Vandy, or 77th USC. Those are Sagarin rankings before last night, btw.

I'm also not going to assume a win at number 57. Not even after they lost at home to number 73 MTSU. We were 76th before last night, by the way.

We are playing our own little mini-playoff at this point with a bunch of teams ranked 50-80. Might as well throw 50th ranked Georgia in that mix.

If we make a Bowl, we will have earned it.
 

awf

Heisman
May 31, 2006
10,411
20,774
0
I am getting a head ache reading some of these post. People should really wait and post when they sober up................
 

Whoppercat

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2003
2,732
1,176
0
"Are we really better or is everyone else just worse?"

That's as far as I had to read to realize I have no response to your superior intellect.
 

YouKay

Heisman
May 15, 2002
35,560
31,490
113
First time we have reached 3 SEC wins since 2009. We have a chance to finish 4-4 for only the fourth time in almost 40 years. Beat UGA and it is the first winning record for U.K. Football in the SEC since 1977.

People can spin it however they want to try and discredit this team and show their hate for Stoops, but the fact is that after an abysmal first and second game these kids have rebounded and responded even after losing their starting QB.

That is a mind blowing stat. I was still a UK student in 1977 and I am old. I think that year was the last time UK beat UT in Knoxville too. Coach Claiborne and Coach Brooks had some good teams that went to bowl games, but UK hasn't been a real contender in the SEC or nationally in 40 years! THAT is the reality. Rome was not built in a day!
 
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JC CATS

Heisman
Jun 18, 2009
23,517
12,221
0
Again, Uk has never had the recourses and most people dont realize Uk has more at its disposal today than it has ever had. Uk has the cash to pay whoever whatever, so people can spare me on the"we've never been there before" speech. USC had never been there before, and they went all in on the opportunity. UK has yet to have an administration that was willing to do that. And the fans, largely, don't realize how rich we are today thanks to SEC/NIKE/ESPN deals. Not to mention the enormous SEC pie revenue we bring in.

Uk has a choice to make. The fans can demand SEC excellence that we have at our fingertips, or we can play the game like it's 1985. So far, the fans don't get it, and the UK administration loves that.

I will never accept 6 win seasons, or continuous 7 win season while Uk makes millions while sitting on their ***. We can be a contender for the east half the time if we want it. In state recruiting posters show the ignorance of not understanding revenue and the ability to recruit nationally today. Again, this isn't 1985. Some of our fans, maybe half of them, don't fully get it.

I played, high school and college, so the post can spare me the " they didnt play" BS. I also coach D1 high school athletes today in Tennessee. Recruits aren't interested in UK because UK isn't interested in greatness. They know we are content with being a doormat and propping up 6 wins like it's the second coming of Christ.

We've got a lot to fix if we want to be what we're capable of.

Look, I'll take what we did today. But it's not a measuring stick of where we should be. We should except way more. But a win is a win, and I'll personally continue to monitor the situation. No one, not one UK fan, should be happy with this product though. We are scraping by, barely, at home, with the weakest schedule in decades. And really, we're not even scraping by in all reality.

So, whatever.
Yeah, tell em! I hate beating all these bad teams and going to a bowl. It is more fun to ***** about losing...I mean we can't even beat Alabama. Hey, I am not one to tell people what to do but UK football may not be for you. They are going to make you miserable if you can't accept 7 win seasons! How many times have they had 8 win seasons? I would head down south and root for Alabama if I were you
 

Crushgroove

Heisman
Oct 11, 2014
7,331
18,625
0
Yeah, tell em! I hate beating all these bad teams and going to a bowl. It is more fun to ***** about losing...I mean we can't even beat Alabama. Hey, I am not one to tell people what to do but UK football may not be for you. They are going to make you miserable if you can't accept 7 win seasons! How many times have they had 8 win seasons? I would head down south and root for Alabama if I were you
Amen, man. Mind blowing, isn't it?
 

tmuck

All-Conference
Oct 2, 2009
10,982
3,849
0
There's a UL fan that goes by kypecos on their Scout board. OP, explain yourself, please.
 

BigBlueFanGA

Heisman
Jun 14, 2005
26,435
23,455
0
Fools. Gold.

But I have no gold. I'll take it fools or not.
You know, I've seen you post that in 2 threads now. No one thinks this team is a juggernaut. However, using a pejorative like this is uncalled for. You are in the running for the Negative Nancy award this year. We could lose every game the rest of the year and it wouldn't make you right in talking that way. We are better. Significantly. Are we good? No, not yet. Will we ever be "good" under Stoops? I have no idea. Right now I'm enjoying the wins, the improvement of the team and the good possibility to make a bowl game.

I know, I know, you're a coach and you know what you're talking about. Clearly you believe your opinion is right and no differing opinion could be right. That isn't the point. Fans should offer support for their program and more importantly, the players themselves. Your idea that UK can simply buy its way to success could be correct, but from my ignorant position, all the SEC schools should have plenty of football money these days. There will always be 7 at or above average in the conference and 7 at or below average, but for some reason, you believe UK has the singular opportunity to buy its way to the top. I believe your idea is flawed.

I really dread the Missouri game with you and some of your cohorts on this board. I have no doubt you are quietly sharpening your claws in preparation for a possible bowl hopes crushing loss.

I don't know if that's the persona you intend to project but that's what I see. I know I'm a blind, ignorant loser, but I'm just going to root for those kids to continue to improve and win.
 

Anon1660081258

All-American
Jun 20, 2013
7,250
6,139
0
Barring a stupid fumble we beat that team by 14 or more points. Did imthe fumble happen? Y s. Did we lose momentum? Yes. And we still one. I think this is one of the more important games in the last several years for directional confirmation.
THIS... warts and all, erratic QB play with ball security issues, up and down, this team gutted it out... that is NOT the UK football identity so many of you insist haunts us. THAT UK identity is a team that folds. I have a real problem with SJ on ball security, and am baffled by his passing inconsistency, but the kid is a competitor, and I am going to try to shut up and just let him play, even if he drives me nuts at times. They would be trying Hoak at this point if they thought he could improve our chances for bowl berth and better. SJ is our QB.
 

BigBlueFanGA

Heisman
Jun 14, 2005
26,435
23,455
0
There are 40 Bowls, so 80 teams get to go bowling.

I'm not going to apologize for making a Bowl by beating number 54 MSU, number 57 Missouri, 68th ranked Vandy, or 77th USC. Those are Sagarin rankings before last night, btw.

I'm also not going to assume a win at number 57. Not even after they lost at home to number 73 MTSU. We were 76th before last night, by the way.

We are playing our own little mini-playoff at this point with a bunch of teams ranked 50-80. Might as well throw 50th ranked Georgia in that mix.

If we make a Bowl, we will have earned it.
Thank you, reality and respect at the same time. We should all learn to post that way.
 
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tmuck

All-Conference
Oct 2, 2009
10,982
3,849
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Posted: 10/17/2016 1:00 PM

Re: The $EC Least
In all candor, and conceding that Alabama is the best team in the country, the ACC is still > SEC this year. And the SEC East is a hot mess and perhaps the worst conference division in all of the P5. But will be interesting to see if the ACC surpasses the SEC in terms of perspective in the long term. Seems possible but have to win a few more NC's.


Here's one of his posts over there. Just thought I would rat him out as actually being a UL fan, for those that didn't know.
 

BlueVelvetFog

Heisman
Apr 12, 2016
13,694
18,590
78
All kinds of weak sauce in this thread. Just enjoy each win and hope for six wins, a bowl --and the extra practice. It's not rocket surgery.
 

tmuck

All-Conference
Oct 2, 2009
10,982
3,849
0
Bump for kypecos, after I busted him. I bet he'll now try to cover his azz by claiming to be "both a UL and UK fan." [laughing]
 

Poetax

Heisman
Apr 4, 2002
29,410
20,887
0
We're two wins away for a bowl.
Let's not start counting chickens just yet. remember, this is kentucky football.


Let's hope in the near future that the words; Kentucky Football has some true football meaning and not laughs and wisecracks.
 
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WildCard

All-American
May 29, 2001
65,040
7,390
0
we have been a bad team, now we are beating the bad teams we play. thats a step in the right direction. like you said, lets not screw up againat mizzou
That is a very good, succinct assessment of the season so far. Since the opening loss, Cats have won all 3 of their "must win" games. Mizzou is the "last" one.

Peace
 

John Henry

Hall of Famer
Aug 18, 2007
35,574
172,795
113
As UK fans were are known for counting wins before the games are played. We have a long track record of doing so. So history has shown me to be optimistic but understand reality. The reality is we blow more games that we had won than any Div I program. Last night the demons of UK football tried to throw the game but failed. Let's win number 5 and then win number 6. But based on our past luck even 6 wins does not guarantee a "bid". But I do think we get one with 6.
 
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wildcatdon

Heisman
Oct 17, 2012
9,802
12,025
113
All four wins have been against teams with losing records and the next two wins will come against awful AP and Missouri, who also have losing records. But that's the six wins that we need to go bowling. It's exciting but trying to remain objective since there are no marquee wins yet. Are we really better or is everyone else just worse?
There is opportunity to make a statement regarding the perception or reality of improvement b/c 3/5 remaining games are against teams with winning records -- Georgia being possible but huge underdogs to Tenn and UofL. Win one or more of those three games and we can legitimately claim improvement. Lose all three and still going bowling but need to grab one of these opportunities to justify a change in perception. Not sure that six wins against bad teams gets us there by itself. But have a week to enjoy things until the Missouri win (please don't take them too lightly and screw things up).
You know what, UK just like anyone else can only play who is on the schedule. We do not plan to play them when they are world beaters or lousy teams. The SEC sets up the scheduling..All other teams face the same scenario..We are doing what we are supposed to be doing and this is winning..Be happy.
 

Aike

Heisman
Mar 17, 2002
75,170
45,507
90
As UK fans were are known for counting wins before the games are played. We have a long track record of doing so. So history has shown me to be optimistic but understand reality. The reality is we blow more games that we had won than any Div I program. Last night the demons of UK football tried to throw the game but failed. Let's win number 5 and then win number 6. But based on our past luck even 6 wins does not guarantee a "bid". But I do think we get one with 6.

I agree except for the last part. If we win 6 games and don't get a Bowl invite, I'll eat my hat.
 
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Poetax

Heisman
Apr 4, 2002
29,410
20,887
0
As UK fans were are known for counting wins before the games are played. We have a long track record of doing so. So history has shown me to be optimistic but understand reality. The reality is we blow more games that we had won than any Div I program. Last night the demons of UK football tried to throw the game but failed. Let's win number 5 and then win number 6. But based on our past luck even 6 wins does not guarantee a "bid". But I do think we get one with 6.

By your posts you seem to be a half empty glass type fan but believe this, that game was won through grit and execution, and the one thing that many have said they didn't have......heart.
 

Mikey Likes It

All-Conference
Sep 9, 2007
11,247
3,776
0
If the SEC was what it will be and has been, we would be DOA.

And the SEC won't stay this way for long, so whats the end game?

Stoops gets to 6, maybe win 6 or 7 next year, and stays?

We could be looking at a disastrous result over the next decade, sue to his 4th and 5th year being a down conference stretch.

Some people don't like it, and like citing out history, while ignoring the elephant in the room. Millions, million upon million in revenue like we've never seen before. No wonder they want this little fact to go unnoticed.

I ignore posters who cite that BS. They are ignorant to the current climate of college football.

I hope Stoops is good for building and producing a shot at an SEC title, something I've wanted for over 20 years and most of my life. But I just can't see it. I see a mediocre coach who would never be able to produce to what our standard should be.

And I don't give a damn about a sunshine pumper or ignorant "look at the past" fan that doesn't see it.

UK can be great. We just need a different approach.
The sec east has been this way for at least 4 years and we were still losing to horrible Vandy and Florida teams while Missouri was going to the title game
 

Goingfor9

All-Conference
Jan 27, 2003
15,242
1,590
113
3-2 in sec with a legit shot to get to 4 wins next week is pretty solid I don't care who we play in conference. We are a qb away from competing for the east imo.
 
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BlueBarry

Freshman
Nov 8, 2005
261
53
0
THIS... warts and all, erratic QB play with ball security issues, up and down, this team gutted it out... that is NOT the UK football identity so many of you insist haunts us. THAT UK identity is a team that folds. I have a real problem with SJ on ball security, and am baffled by his passing inconsistency, but the kid is a competitor, and I am going to try to shut up and just let him play, even if he drives me nuts at times. They would be trying Hoak at this point if they thought he could improve our chances for bowl berth and better. SJ is our QB.

Amen brother! My thoughts exactly. We typically lose these games. This team persevered, overcame and won the daggone game. My hat is off to them for fighting. Also, Stoops pushed these guys hard after the first game debacle. He deserves credit for that regardless of in game mistakes. The he coaches, the more he learns. Not what we prefer but maybe it will work if we stick with it. He definitely has the recruiting side of his job locked up.
 

WildcatDJ

All-Conference
May 20, 2007
4,708
1,601
113
3-2 in sec with a legit shot to get to 4 wins next week is pretty solid I don't care who we play in conference. We are a qb away from competing for the east imo.

If the Drew Barker that played the first half of the USM game is back next year, we should be competitive against most anybody. Who knows though...Johnson looked much improved last night, I just can't really get a good read on his ceiling. He made some excellent throws yesterday.
 

trueblujr

Heisman
Dec 14, 2005
30,414
96,310
113
The past 2 years, it looked like a certainty that we'd get to a bowl and we didn't!

Why ANYONE would count on winning at Missouri or beating Georgia at this point is beyond me!!

Should we get to a bowl this year??

Absolutely!!!

WILL we get that 6th win??

I'm starting to feel like its possible, but there's NO WAY I'll EXPECT it after the past 2 years!!!
How many expected us to go 3-0 against South Carolina, Vandy and MSU? There was lots of speculation about what our record would be versus those 3, very few expected 3-0 especially after the poor start. So I think we beat Missouri and set ourselves up for a monumental, potentially program changing game against UGA.
 

Stenchymouse

All-American
Jul 31, 2005
12,633
6,219
113
How many expected us to go 3-0 against South Carolina, Vandy and MSU? There was lots of speculation about what our record would be versus those 3, very few expected 3-0 especially after the poor start. So I think we beat Missouri and set ourselves up for a monumental, potentially program changing game against UGA.
Of course I HOPE, but if we don't beat Missouri, we could be looking at our 3rd straight 5-7 season.

If we don't get to a bowl, that puts a lot more pressure on Stoops going forward.

After last nights come from behind victory after a near collapse, I'm cautiously optimistic!!

IF we can get to a bowl this year, then I think we finally start seeing the turnaround we've been waiting for going forward.
 

Yahtzee43

Junior
Sep 2, 2014
321
218
0
I think we are getting the talent. When you have Top 25 talent for last 3 years, that is among some of best in country and you should be able to compete.

My concern is that even getting the "talent" and the good job of recruiting overall by the staff, the players are not being coached up, progressing nor do we seem to be developing depth. To me, that is on the coaching staff. Just being honest.