How many wins do the Cats need for a successful ('16) season?

[docholiday51]

Your predictions are total pie in the sky thinking with no basis in reality.

First, there is NO PROOF that Barker is any better than Towles. NONE. So your statement on QB is asinine.

Next, your comment about linebackers is a joke. We lose our two top linebackers and you say we're automatically better now? What a joke.

Your other points about the O-Line being better is true(how could they be worse?) and the D-Line being better is a "probably better". Elam will continue to be better and our very young DEs are at least older with more experience.

Please stop claiming we are automatically better at positions like QB and linebacker when you don't have a clue that is even close to being true.

I said we would be at least as good at QB, as to the rest of your thoughts on my post you have no better idea than anyone else as to how good or bad we will be.

The transfers at LB will be better against the run than "our 2 top linebackers" that we lose,the O line will have players moving to their more natural positions there will b more depth

The tone of your entire post is juvenile,I would be happy to match my knowledge of UK football or football in general against yours anytime,however I think it is best if we don't respond to each others posts in the future.

 

[HedleyLamarr]

Looking ahead to next year's schedule, nine opponents were 2015 ranked in the top 70 by Sagarin, with UK at 81 and Vandy at 82. Four of those opponents will have new head coaches. Only two cupcakes next year. Ten very competitive games. Seems like a tall task to expect a big improvement, with uncertainty at QB and elsewhere, against a much tougher schedule. Six wins and a bowl would definitely set you up for a huge 2017.

 

[Blue Decade]

My view of the season is not quite as dire as yours,if the coaching upgrades pay off as most believe we will see that quickly

The QB will improve ,Barker didn't show much but he has no direction to go but up,don't sell the JUCO guy short yet and gran and Hinshaw will invent a better QB than we had last year

The LB positions will be better from day 1 with the transfers and a year under the collective belts of those who logged time last year

The OL will be better with additions and player movement to their more natural positions

The secondary should be as strong or stronger than last year

The D line could be a problem but there are pieces there if they can put them together

As to the schedule SC,Mizzou,Vandy games can be won if we don't beat ourselves,Miss St in Lexington is not out of the question. The OOC games should be wins

Lastly if Stoops has learned anything he will be better and he has better help that hopefully will all be on the same page. If he is going to be taken seriously as a head coach he has to get on the bowl map this year. He has recruited well due in part to going from 2 wins to 5 wins in year 2.If he hangs on to this class in tact then he has dodged the potential setback that this year dealt him.He did lose some ground but the staff changes bought him a little more time,without one or more wins he doesn't have any more cards to play.

The recent upgrades on our coaching staff are positive. There, we agree. But the coaches can't block and tackle. The players have to do that. We have too many holes on our roster at his point, and the biggest 1 is quarterback. I watched Barker closely in November. Drew has a nice build, and a decent - not great - arm. But he had no idea what he was doing. None. The game is moving too fast for him. He doesn't recognize the defense. He keeps throwing into coverage because he is fooled and hurried. Very susceptible to pressure. He can't see secondary receivers. These things happen to young quarterbacks. Some day, Drew might become a successful quarterback. I don't discount that possibility, but he didn't show me anything in November and I don't think he is close. It's a huge step up in competition from Connor High School to the SEC. Listen to what Gran and Hinshaw are saying. They are bringing in Steve Johnson to play. Not to be the back-up. What does Johnson bring to the table? According to Gran, accuracy and good feet. He has a nice build. But Johnson's other offers were Arkansas State, Eastern Michigan, Lamar, Morgan State. That list is weak for an SEC quarterback, no way around it. So we should be realistic. You say I am too pessimistic about 2016. But I listen to your reasoning, and it just doesn't add up. While I see an opportunity for our offensive line to improve, I think that will be gradual. Our entire starting defensive line from September graduated. That's a big problem. Our star middle linebacker also graduated. You keep saying our linebackers will be better from day 1, but that's a fantasy. Our secondary might improve, but it is very young back there and that's a problem. So it's 1 thing to say that Stoops has to go to a bowl this year. It's another thing to actually get to a bowl. I look at our 2016 schedule, and I just don't see it. Only being honest here. If you say that 2017 is starting to shape up pretty well, I wouldn't argue with that. But 2016 looks like another struggle to me, because the schedule is significantly tougher and we don't have a quarterback. Things are going to get worse before they get better.

 

[docholiday51]

The recent upgrades on our coaching staff are positive. There, we agree. But the coaches can't block and tackle. The players have to do that. We have too many holes on our roster at his point, and the biggest 1 is quarterback. I watched Barker closely in November. Drew has a nice build, and a decent - not great - arm. But he had no idea what he was doing. None. The game is moving too fast for him. He doesn't recognize the defense. He keeps throwing into coverage because he is fooled and hurried. Very susceptible to pressure. He can't see secondary receivers. These things happen to young quarterbacks. Some day, Drew might become a successful quarterback. I don't discount that possibility, but he didn't show me anything in November and I don't think he is close. It's a huge step up in competition from Connor High School to the SEC. Listen to what Gran and Hinshaw are saying. They are bringing in Steve Johnson to play. Not to be the back-up. What does Johnson bring to the table? According to Gran, accuracy and good feet. He has a nice build. But Johnson's other offers were Arkansas State, Eastern Michigan, Lamar, Morgan State. That list is weak for an SEC quarterback, no way around it. So we should be realistic. You say I am too pessimistic about 2016. But I listen to your reasoning, and it just doesn't add up. While I see an opportunity for our offensive line to improve, I think that will be gradual. Our entire starting defensive line from September graduated. That's a big problem. Our star middle linebacker also graduated. You keep saying our linebackers will be better from day 1, but that's a fantasy. Our secondary might improve, but it is very young back there and that's a problem. So it's 1 thing to say that Stoops has to go to a bowl this year. It's another thing to actually get to a bowl. I look at our 2016 schedule, and I just don't see it. Only being honest here. If you say that 2017 is starting to shape up pretty well, I wouldn't argue with that. But 2016 looks like another struggle to me, because the schedule is significantly tougher and we don't have a quarterback. Things are going to get worse before they get better.

I agree,it will be a struggle and I hope Stoops is up to the task.The QB issue is a big concern and I have said in previous pots that Towles gave us a better chance to win last year than did Barker but the Barker and Johnson combination plus what Gran and Hinshaw bring to the table hopefully will allow us to at least hold our ground at QB

At LB the addition of Love and the players that do return and one or two surprises will make the unit as a whole better

Position movement plus the addition of some new players and the return of 4 of 5 bode well for the OL.Gran may well change the blocking scheme to aid them as well

On the DL,Elam will surely come into his own this year,the JUCO additions will help snd we return some players with some playing time under their belt

The schedule is what it is,SC,Mizzou,UGA and So. Miss have new coaches,Vandy is still Vandy and they come to Lexington. UF had everything go right last year,they may not be so lucky this season

My whole point is not pie in the sky.It is simply that we have decent chance to get to 6 wins,we had a decent chance last year and didn't get there. Overall i think our chance was better last year than it will be this year but it is doable.If Stoops only wins 4 or 5 this year he is likely done at UK,he may be here in 17 but he will be a lame duck.

We need to get to the 6 win level this season,Stoops will pull out all the stops he can to do it.

We haven't even talked about the WR,TE or RB positions where we should be strong.At this point none of us really 'know' anything about next season,I just don't see as much of an insurmountable task as you seem to see.

 

[WildcatofNati]

I said we would be at least as good at QB, as to the rest of your thoughts on my post you have no better idea than anyone else as to how good or bad we will be.

The transfers at LB will be better against the run than "our 2 top linebackers" that we lose,the O line will have players moving to their more natural positions there will b more depth

The tone of your entire post is juvenile,I would be happy to match my knowledge of UK football or football in general against yours anytime,however I think it is best if we don't respond to each others posts in the future.

Based on UofLWinsAgainYep's own posts, it's a lock that Barker is an upgrade over Towles, and it's rather disingenuous of him to call you out for saying it yourself. This guy did nothing all year except preach that Towles was the worst quarterback in football history.

 

[appaws]

I think at 5-7 people will be jumping off of bridges and calling for Stoops to be canned again, citing no improvement made. The irony of that is that we could be 5-7 next year and actually show decent improvement, just not in the win column. I admit that would be tough to swallow.

Let's just say I think the ceiling is lower for us next year because the schedule is more difficult. I think a legitimate argument can be made that even if a lot of things break our way, 6-6 would be the best we could hope for.

There are just so many intangibles though...and that always leaves room for optimism. I would really love to go to my first bowl game, and I already have to visit family in Ft. Meyers for Christmas...

 

[Anon1713320623]

Have to make a bowl.

 

[fromthe25ydline]

I feel there are several key signs to improvement.

1) how does QB competition play out? Barker will either impress or the unknown Johnson beats him out with better athleticism.
2) how much does the OL improve with added personnel? Scary thing is that staff believes more escape ability at QB is needed.
3) does Elam lose enough weight to become factor in the middle of a young Defensive line?
4) do new linebackers jump the curve and play like veterans?
5) do special teams improve? Missing is the ability to flip the field with better ST play
6) will a veteran corp of WRs begin catching the ball consistently and take pressure off of new QB?

I'm not worried about the secondary nor am I concerned about the RBs. Those two groups are team strengths. Disappointed in year 4 of Stoops' regime that those two groups are only solid positions.

6 wins + bowl bid are all I require for success. Expectations have been tempered by the poor in-game coaching. Still can't believe that Vandy beat us last year. SMH. Win that game and a large amount of criticism never arises.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

Minimum is 6 wins. Getting to 7 wins whether it's in the regular season or winning a bowl game is important. Having a winning record is important. We need to break the losing record streak.

 

[Dallas-Wild]

Need to get to 6 and a bowl....I for one am anxious to see what recruiting would look like with a bowl victory.

 

[docholiday51]

Need to get to 6 and a bowl....I for one am anxious to see what recruiting would look like with a bowl victory.

It seems difficult for some to see this,it is a milestone that Stoops must get to if he is going to be a factor at UK for any length of time. If he does then recruiting takes a jump like we haven't seen here in a long time. We pi$$ed away a chance to do that last year,he can't do that again this year.It won't be as easy as last year but still doable.

 

[theoledog]

The question of "success" is one that gets floated annually... I don't put a lot of emphasis on the W-L record as over the long haul .500 seasons are few... I cannot argue that 6 wins, or MORE, wouldn't be successful!!! For me, I look for other markers.... Better QB play, less drama, more tackles behind LOS, less 3 and outs, noticeable growth in our HC, less drops by WO's, a win the second half of the season, point margin in losses less, etc. I'll take improvements such as those and hope that 6 or more wins is the result because of them....

I'm dissapointed in the past two season's outcome like everyone... We just folded the second half of both seasons... I can imagine the same records over the last two years being viewed with more positivity, had we configured the wins differently... But that's just the way i look at it....

With year #3 behind us it appears to me the mantra going forward is "do-over"... Pay no attention to those three years... We be gett'n chit together now!.... Beats me... Hell if I know how it turns out.... One thing for certain I think UK is doing a great job winning the spin game.... I don't have a problem giving Stoops another 3-4 years.... But if I don't wanna buy the spin, that's just business....

 

[Glenn Fohr]

Gotta be 6 and a bowl, no matter how tough the schedule is.

 

[greginky1957]

I would like to see the term "successful" defined. If you consider 6 wins and a bowl game as successful then that is the magic number. For me 6 wins is essential and totally attainable. We have improved our staff a lot in this off-season and we were one of, if not THE youngest team in the country this year. We have more experience and more depth now, not a giant leap forward, but it helps. Everyone is talking about the staff improvement with Gran, Hinshaw and a WR coach as yet to be named, but the name I keep seeing overlooked, who I think can and will have a great impact on our 2016 success is Mark Hill. I think that with improved strength that we will edge ever closer to becoming an SEC caliber team. We are getting closer each year and those who say that Stoops must win 6 games this season or seek new employment are way off base in my book. 2017 is the key year to me. I do think that we are capable of winning more than 6 games this year, but i will take a bit of a perfect storm scenario to do it, we need a little luck to go along with our physical improvement. Maybe get a break or 2 along the way and I think we have an outside shot at 7 victories. I don't think it is likely to happen, only that it is possible. We are getting more experience and depth. I do think that 6 wins is essential to maintain and improve our recruiting momentum, that is how I am going to define successful, continued improving recruiting and I really feel that 6 wins are a must in order to maintain that, any more than that and I think that our recruiting will get even better. Football in the Commonwealth is getting ready to be fun and I really hope that it starts this coming year. Go Big Blue!!!

 

[o_cobalt]

Part of me thinks that OP was trying to troll with the Kansas State logo and BIG 12 CHAMPS thing, but nobody bit. Good work, everyone.

 

[NoDef]

I know the schedule is tough but its usually the year that turns in more wins. We get our "winnable" games at home and play most of the "non-winnable" games on the road. Going to have to eventually win one that we shouldn't to make a bowl game.

 

[Lonesome Hippopotamus]

6 maybe.

 

[UKWinsAgainYep]

I said we would be at least as good at QB, as to the rest of your thoughts on my post you have no better idea than anyone else as to how good or bad we will be.

The transfers at LB will be better against the run than "our 2 top linebackers" that we lose,the O line will have players moving to their more natural positions there will b more depth

The tone of your entire post is juvenile,I would be happy to match my knowledge of UK football or football in general against yours anytime,however I think it is best if we don't respond to each others posts in the future.

Like others have said, you have no basis to say Barker will be just as good as Towles. That is totally insane at this point. I was no Towles fan-always thought he was overhyped and a nervous nellie on the field-but we have no proof whatsoever that Barker will be "as good" and surely not "better" than Towles at this point.

The linebacker comment of yours is truly insane. A bunch of non-proven players playing in the SEC for the first time doesn't usually turn out great.

Please explain why these two positions are an improvement or even up to par to the players we had last season.

Be real and only pump sunshine where it's deserved.

For example, our O-Line cannot be any worse and we are bringing in some good redshirts and quality true Freshmen. So we have to improve slightly there....Our secondary will be experienced and filled with more young talent than I've seen in my lifetime. Boom and company should be very productive with the running game. Our receivers could be one of the best groups in the SEC. Of course, I said that last year too about them.

 

[childe]

Four. As long as they're Florida, UT, Bama, & UofL. Otherwise, six.

 

[Oldtrainer_rivals]

From day one of Coach Stoops hire I've said it will take four years to reach 7 wins!

 

[docholiday51]

Like others have said, you have no basis to say Barker will be just as good as Towles. That is totally insane at this point. I was no Towles fan-always thought he was overhyped and a nervous nellie on the field-but we have no proof whatsoever that Barker will be "as good" and surely not "better" than Towles at this point.

The linebacker comment of yours is truly insane. A bunch of non-proven players playing in the SEC for the first time doesn't usually turn out great.

Please explain why these two positions are an improvement or even up to par to the players we had last season.

Be real and only pump sunshine where it's deserved.

For example, our O-Line cannot be any worse and we are bringing in some good redshirts and quality true Freshmen. So we have to improve slightly there....Our secondary will be experienced and filled with more young talent than I've seen in my lifetime. Boom and company should be very productive with the running game. Our receivers could be one of the best groups in the SEC. Of course, I said that last year too about them.

Love,Laster ,Hatcher,Ware and Allen will be as good or better than what we put on the field last year at LB.Kash Daniel will play from day 1.Forrest was good in coverage but struggled to make stops at or behind the LOS. the package of LB's that we put onthe field will be better and deeper than last year.

As for the QB position,much like you say about the OL,the play we got at the end of last year can't get much worse. I think Gran and Hinshaw will help that situation because of what they do on offense,play calling and blocking scheme.Towles could make the "Oh WOW" throws once in a while but not the simple accurate throws on a regular basis.

Overall the schedule is tougher but the team has more depth and better personnel so I'll continue to believe we have a chance to be better and get to the 6 win level,people can agree or disagree as they choose.If we are all still around next November we will know for sure.

 

[StubbornPenny]

6. We NEED to be 3-1 to start the season. And 4-2 really, losses at FLA and at BAMA. Then hopefully we can get a win at MIZZ, then crush Austin Peay and get our 6. A loss us USCJr or Vandy would essentially torpedo our chances of 6. Same with a loss to Southern Miss. It is not a favorable schedule.

 

[Blue Decade]

I agree,it will be a struggle and I hope Stoops is up to the task.The QB issue is a big concern and I have said in previous pots that Towles gave us a better chance to win last year than did Barker but the Barker and Johnson combination plus what Gran and Hinshaw bring to the table hopefully will allow us to at least hold our ground at QB

At LB the addition of Love and the players that do return and one or two surprises will make the unit as a whole better

Position movement plus the addition of some new players and the return of 4 of 5 bode well for the OL.Gran may well change the blocking scheme to aid them as well

On the DL,Elam will surely come into his own this year,the JUCO additions will help snd we return some players with some playing time under their belt

The schedule is what it is,SC,Mizzou,UGA and So. Miss have new coaches,Vandy is still Vandy and they come to Lexington. UF had everything go right last year,they may not be so lucky this season

My whole point is not pie in the sky.It is simply that we have decent chance to get to 6 wins,we had a decent chance last year and didn't get there. Overall i think our chance was better last year than it will be this year but it is doable.If Stoops only wins 4 or 5 this year he is likely done at UK,he may be here in 17 but he will be a lame duck.

We need to get to the 6 win level this season,Stoops will pull out all the stops he can to do it.

We haven't even talked about the WR,TE or RB positions where we should be strong.At this point none of us really 'know' anything about next season,I just don't see as much of an insurmountable task as you seem to see.

I see what you did there. LOL! These discussions become too much trouble when other people misrepresent what has been said. No game or season is ever insurmountable, but I am sober in my assessments. I never said next season is an insurmountable task. I described where I disagree with your expectations. But we agree on a couple of things. The additions of Gran and Hinshaw are a good move. Frankly I am surprised that Stoops took so long to hire a quarterback coach. And I also agree that it would really be great if Stoops can win 6 games next year. But looking at the larger picture, I just don't see that happening. However, I am a good deal more optimistic about 2017, and I am patient enough to sit in my seat next fall and watch it unfold.

 

[Blue Decade]

Have to make a bowl.

Of course, Stoops must take our football program to a level where bowls and the extra month of practice that comes with them happen. But if you are saying that Stoops must get to a bowl this year, I don't see any evidence to support that. Stoops has a long term contract, and there is no true evidence that he is on the hot seat. While a minority of our fans will never be happy, and while November was a disappointment for all of us, Stoops is about to sign his best recruiting class!! As long as Stoops continues to recruit strong classes, Barnhart will support him. Stoops has only been here since 2013, and he inherited a weak roster from CJP. In 2015, all of Stoops' own recruits were freshmen and sophomores except for Timmons, Kemp, McClain, Wilson, Hatcher, Flannigan, Lewis, Robinson, Miggins, Bell. It's still a young roster, and that showed. But if Stoops keeps bringing in classes like 2014 and 2016, his program will move up to the next level. Some fans will argue that Stoops can't keep recruiting without a bowl. But that is demonstrably untrue. His 2014 and 2016 classes were recruited during losing seasons. High school players make their decisions based on whether they like the coaches and buy into the vision. That's why Young, Jackson, Daniel are signing. The biggest problem in the Stoops era has been the offensive line. His 2016 class goes a long way toward fixing that, but the new players will need time to develop. There are still some problems to solve. I don't see more than 4-5 wins coming out of our tough 2016 schedule. But 2017 looks much better to me. By then, most of our current problems will be much closer to being solved.

 

[sluggercatfan]

I feel there are several key signs to improvement.

1) how does QB competition play out? Barker will either impress or the unknown Johnson beats him out with better athleticism.
2) how much does the OL improve with added personnel? Scary thing is that staff believes more escape ability at QB is needed.
3) does Elam lose enough weight to become factor in the middle of a young Defensive line?
4) do new linebackers jump the curve and play like veterans?
5) do special teams improve? Missing is the ability to flip the field with better ST play
6) will a veteran corp of WRs begin catching the ball consistently and take pressure off of new QB?

I'm not worried about the secondary nor am I concerned about the RBs. Those two groups are team strengths. Disappointed in year 4 of Stoops' regime that those two groups are only solid positions.

6 wins + bowl bid are all I require for success. Expectations have been tempered by the poor in-game coaching. Still can't believe that Vandy beat us last year. SMH. Win that game and a large amount of criticism never arises.

#2...I think the OL, especially OT, will go from being the weakest unit on the team to having 3-4 solid pro prospects

 

[Blue Decade]

From day one of Coach Stoops hire I've said it will take four years to reach 7 wins!

Counting from day 1 in 2013, that's going to take 5 years.

 

[docholiday51]

I see what you did there. LOL! These discussions become too much trouble when other people misrepresent what has been said. No game or season is ever insurmountable, but I am sober in my assessments. I never said next season is an insurmountable task. I described where I disagree with your expectations. But we agree on a couple of things. The additions of Gran and Hinshaw are a good move. Frankly I am surprised that Stoops took so long to hire a quarterback coach. And I also agree that it would really be great if Stoops can win 6 games next year. But looking at the larger picture, I just don't see that happening. However, I am a good deal more optimistic about 2017, and I am patient enough to sit in my seat next fall and watch it unfold.

Our discussion has been enjoyable(unlike a few other posters)I simply believe we will be good enough to get to the six win level next season. I believe that if we don't Stoops will have a difficult time remaining at UK long enough to turn the corner,I think next season is as close to make or break as you can get without being there. If we are in every game(maybe except Bama)with a chance to win but end up 5-7 again maybe he hangs on to the fans and the players and turns the corner in 2017.

As to positions,I believe the LB corps will be better overall and OL will be better.The defensive line is a question mark and will depend on JUCO's and relative newcomers.I think there are enough reasons to believe that we will be better than you seem to think.

 

[uksam21]

Why throw out Fla...we had a chance to beat them two yrs in row

The game is in Gainesville and they will get Grier back with Callaway and other talent. Welcome back to the annual beatings from the Gators.

 

[uksam21]

2016 SCHEDULE

SOUTHERN MISS W

at Florida L

NEW MEXICO STATE W

SOUTH CAROLINA W

Alabama Lol

VANDERBILT W

MISSISSIPPI STATE L (possible W)

Missouri W

GEORGIA L

Tennessee L

AUSTIN PEAY W

Louisville W


I don't think that would be out of the realm of possibilities, but that would put us at 7-5 (possible 8-4 with Miss St at home). With no major screw ups and winning against susceptible teams in USC and Mizzo we can make 6+ wins as long as Barker/Johnson preform and we have improvement in the defense.

Go Cats!

I am sorry but anybody predicting anything more than 4 wins with this season is delusional. This football team has quarterback questions and not to mention OL/DL problems. Plus, I think the jury is still very much out on the fact if our HC can even do the job.

 

[Robcatt24]

The game is in Gainesville and they will get Grier back with Callaway and other talent. Welcome back to the annual beatings from the Gators.

I believe Grier left Florida.

 

[ukalum1988]

The game is in Gainesville and they will get Grier back with Callaway and other talent. Welcome back to the annual beatings from the Gators.

I thought Grier was under a one-year ban from the NCAA for ingesting "illegal substances". At the end of the fall semester, I recall he left the UF campus altogether. Did I miss something otherwise?

 

[uksam21]

I thought Grier was under a one-year ban from the NCAA for ingesting "illegal substances". At the end of the fall semester, I recall he left the UF campus altogether. Did I miss something otherwise?

You are right sir, but come on who's predicting a win over Florida with this outfit?

 

[WildcatofNati]

The game is in Gainesville and they will get Grier back with Callaway and other talent. Welcome back to the annual beatings from the Gators.

Cardinal fan or basketball only fan?

They will NOT be getting Grier back, because Grier is transferring, and, even if he wasn't, he would still be suspended for the time period of the UK-Florida game.

 

[Ldgator]

Why throw out Fla...we had a chance to beat them two yrs in row

Because we haven't beaten them in 30 years. Wondered how long it would take before the first poster started talking about a Florida win, again. Florida will be better and it's in Gainesville.

 

[uksam21]

Cardinal fan or basketball only fan?

They will NOT be getting Grier back, because Grier is transferring, and, even if he wasn't, he would still be suspended for the time period of the UK-Florida game.

Excuse me I am a huge football fan and I amended my mistake.

 

[maysvilleky]

6 plus a bowl win are probably the minimum to keep the train moving in the right direction.

This!!!

 

[mebeblue2]

as hard as our schedule is gonna be, 6 wins would be a godsend
i look more at how competitive our team is as opposed to just wins

we all knew going into this that it would take 4-6 years for us to have real improvement