Our football team after 5 games

[Blue Decade]

I said in June that I expected 4-5 wins this year. I still expect 7-8 wins in 2017. My concerns were based on our offensive tackles and defensive front 7. Because all along, it was obvious. Then Meant left, and Baker and Barker got hurt. Last night, we played the nation's top-ranked team in their own house. We covered the spread and didn't get any other players hurt. Cry all you want, but that is not a bad thing in Tuscaloosa. Alabama has the best defense in the SEC. Steve Johnson, in his 2nd SEC start, still drifts to his left out of the pocket when he feels pressure coming. This results in hard hits, sacks, fumbles. But it's a fundamental mistake that inexperienced quarterbacks make, and can be fixed. Johnson is still 15 pounds too light for top SEC action, and took a beating last night. If an opponent puts pressure on Johnson, our offense quickly becomes 1-dimensional. Our tackles were exposed again. Landon isn't ready yet, but will eventually be a good player. With Johnson, we are a read-option running team that uses the run to set up our passing game. If we can't run the football, we won't win those weeks. Defensively, we are still a mixed bag. Our play upfront against the run is gradually getting better. But if we don't have a pass rush, our defensive backs can't do it all by themselves. No defensive secondary looks good when the quarterback has all day to throw. That's where our football team is now. It is what it is. Complain if you want.

For the present, Kentucky's only realistic chance for a 2016 bowl is tied to beating Vandy, Mississippi State, Missouri consecutively. I never believed this is a bowl year. I predict we win 1-2 of our next 3 games. The Vandy game will be a low scoring game, but we ought to beat Vandy in Commonwealth Stadium. Mississippi State will be interesting because Mullen has had Stoops' number, but it's another home game. We will not beat Missouri in their house because Missouri has a solid defense and a very good quarterback. But young players are stepping up. Snell, Conrad, Richardson, Stenberg, Bunchy, Young, Carter, Allen, Daniel, Baity, Edwards, McKinniss. Some people post on emotions. When possible, I try to post facts. Kentucky is redshirting Rose, Hoak, Jackson, Looney, Cross, Walker, Robinson, and Hoskins should be coming in. 19 incumbent starters plus both kickers will return in 2017. These facts tell me that our football team will take a step forward in 2017. I am also hopeful that Stoops now knows Eliot must go.

 

[How Blue Can You Get?]

I said in June that I expected 4-5 wins this year. I still expect 7-8 wins in 2017. My concerns were based on our offensive tackles and defensive front 7. Because all along, it was obvious. Then Meant left, and Baker and Barker got hurt. Last night, we played the nation's top-ranked team in their own house. We covered the spread and didn't get any other players hurt. Cry all you want, but that is not a bad thing in Tuscaloosa. Alabama has the best defense in the SEC. Steve Johnson, in his 2nd SEC start, still drifts to his left out of the pocket when he feels pressure coming. This results in hard hits, sacks, fumbles. But it's a fundamental mistake that inexperienced quarterbacks make, and can be fixed. Johnson is still 15 pounds too light for top SEC action, and took a beating last night. If an opponent puts pressure on Johnson, our offense quickly becomes 1-dimensional. Our tackles were exposed again. Landon isn't ready yet, but will eventually be a good player. With Johnson, we are a read-option running team that uses the run to set up our passing game. If we can't run the football, we won't win those weeks. Defensively, we are still a mixed bag. Our play upfront against the run is gradually getting better. But if we don't have a pass rush, our defensive backs can't do it all by themselves. No defensive secondary looks good when the quarterback has all day to throw. That's where our football team is now. It is what it is. Complain if you want.

For the present, Kentucky's only chance for a 2016 bowl is tied to beating Vandy, Mississippi State, Missouri. I never believed this is a bowl year. I predict we win 1-2 of our next 3 games. The Vandy game will be a low scoring game, but we ought to beat Vandy in Commonwealth Stadium. Mississippi State will be interesting because Mullen has had Stoops' number, but it's another home game. We will not beat Missouri in their house because Missouri has a solid defense and a very good quarterback. But young players are stepping up. Snell, Conrad, Richardson, Stenberg, Bunchy, Young, Carter, Allen, Daniel, Baity, Edwards, McKinniss. Some people post on emotions. When possible, I try to post facts. Kentucky is redshirting Rose, Hoak, Jackson, Looney, Cross, Walker, Robinson, and Hoskins should be coming in. 19 incumbent starters plus both kickers will return in 2017. These facts tell me that our football team will take a step forward in 2017. I am also hopeful that Stoops now knows Eliot must go.

The fact you are missing though is that rs freshman still dont play at most sec schools...at ky, theyre the reasoning you are using to say we' ll be better...so your facts are being presented with spin.

 

[akaukswoosh]

We covered the spread and didn't get any other players hurt. Cry all you want, but that is not a bad thing in Tuscaloosa.
I fully agree.

 

[Dakota25]

Yeah UK will win again on November 11th when the basketball team plays their first game. Before then not so much.

 

[EliteBlue]

I kinda agree. It really wasn't a had showing. And if you take away the scoop and score it's 27-6. Take away both fumbles and its 27-9 or 27-13. That actually is a step forward. We need to continue to limit mistakes but the defensive line played fairly well.

I would have felt a little better is we could have stuck one TD on the board at least. The tip ball to Conrad in the redbone would have been huge.

 

[Blue Decade]

The fact you are missing though is that rs freshman still dont play at most sec schools...at ky, theyre the reasoning you are using to say we' ll be better...so your facts are being presented with spin.

That ridiculous. How do you figure that I am missing that? This was not a spin post. I am predicting 4-5 wins. Tell me, how is that spin? It's just an accurate assessment, even if it doesn't give comfort to our most negative posters.

 

[Blue Decade]

I kinda agree. It really wasn't a had showing. And if you take away the scoop and score it's 27-6. Take away both fumbles and its 27-9 or 27-13. That actually is a step forward. We need to continue to limit mistakes but the defensive line played fairly well.

I would have felt a little better is we could have stuck one TD on the board at least. The tip ball to Conrad in the redbone would have been huge.

I wasn't trying to say it was a good night. LOL! We got our butts whipped. I'm still happy with my preseason prediction of 4-5 wins. I'm only saying that we were beaten last night by the top-ranked team in the country, in their house. No significant injuries last night. Under the circumstances, with a new quarterback, it was the best realistic outcome. Anyone who believes otherwise is foolish. The 3 most important games of our season coming up, and we learned some important stuff last night.

 

[JC CATS]

I said in June that I expected 4-5 wins this year. I still expect 7-8 wins in 2017. My concerns were based on our offensive tackles and defensive front 7. Because all along, it was obvious. Then Meant left, and Baker and Barker got hurt. Last night, we played the nation's top-ranked team in their own house. We covered the spread and didn't get any other players hurt. Cry all you want, but that is not a bad thing in Tuscaloosa. Alabama has the best defense in the SEC. Steve Johnson, in his 2nd SEC start, still drifts to his left out of the pocket when he feels pressure coming. This results in hard hits, sacks, fumbles. But it's a fundamental mistake that inexperienced quarterbacks make, and can be fixed. Johnson is still 15 pounds too light for top SEC action, and took a beating last night. If an opponent puts pressure on Johnson, our offense quickly becomes 1-dimensional. Our tackles were exposed again. Landon isn't ready yet, but will eventually be a good player. With Johnson, we are a read-option running team that uses the run to set up our passing game. If we can't run the football, we won't win those weeks. Defensively, we are still a mixed bag. Our play upfront against the run is gradually getting better. But if we don't have a pass rush, our defensive backs can't do it all by themselves. No defensive secondary looks good when the quarterback has all day to throw. That's where our football team is now. It is what it is. Complain if you want.

For the present, Kentucky's only realistic chance for a 2016 bowl is tied to beating Vandy, Mississippi State, Missouri consecutively. I never believed this is a bowl year. I predict we win 1-2 of our next 3 games. The Vandy game will be a low scoring game, but we ought to beat Vandy in Commonwealth Stadium. Mississippi State will be interesting because Mullen has had Stoops' number, but it's another home game. We will not beat Missouri in their house because Missouri has a solid defense and a very good quarterback. But young players are stepping up. Snell, Conrad, Richardson, Stenberg, Bunchy, Young, Carter, Allen, Daniel, Baity, Edwards, McKinniss. Some people post on emotions. When possible, I try to post facts. Kentucky is redshirting Rose, Hoak, Jackson, Looney, Cross, Walker, Robinson, and Hoskins should be coming in. 19 incumbent starters plus both kickers will return in 2017. These facts tell me that our football team will take a step forward in 2017. I am also hopeful that Stoops now knows Eliot must go.

Solid post. I agree with most of what you said. I'm not sure about beating Vandy after yesterday, but I will take it. I am in a wait and see attitude. Stoops needs to show me he can win these games he is suppose to and be competitive with UL, Ga, and Tenn. I liked the effort, heart and attitude they played with against Ala although they were soundly beaten

 

[Hjack]

I wasn't trying to say it was a good night. LOL! We got our butts whipped. I'm still happy with my preseason prediction of 4-5 wins. I'm only saying that we were beaten last night by the top-ranked team in the country, in their house. No significant injuries last night. Under the circumstances, with a new quarterback, it was the best realistic outcome. Anyone who believes otherwise is foolish. The 3 most important games of our season coming up, and we learned some important stuff last night.

Appreciated your good analysis of this year.

I am a football fan but never played, so my analytic ability usually comes down to who won, who lost.

I do think that our most important 'games' of the year are behind us, and namely the Southern Miss loss. That set the entire season for me. For all practical purposes, I believe that ended any hope of a bowl season.

My early prediction was 4-5 wins. I am now worried that 3 may be it, as I don't think we will beat Vandy, Miss. St., or Missouri. Won't even speculate about Georgia, UT, or UL.

I have been a big Stoops fan all along, but certainly thought we would be further along by now than this team shows.

 

[qwesley]

Have so very very little evidence this staff can scout/develop players and gameday coach them to 7-8 wins in the SEC. Hard to see hope at solving our weak QB play and inability to get at the other teams's QB, two vital CFB needs.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

7-8 wins next season eh? Is Stoops still gonna be the coach? Cause if so I'm not sure how anyone can feel confident about 7-8 wins. All our swing games will be on the road in Vandy, SC, and MSU (well we get Missouri at home). Then we play @UT and FL (2 automatic losses for UK), @ Southern Miss, Ole Miss, UL, @UGA.

1. FL 2. UT 3. @UGA 4. Ole Miss 5. UL 6. @ Southern Miss Those are 6 pretty tough games right there, and then you throw in 7. @MSU 8. @Vandy 9. SC. 10. Missouri.

We do have mighty Eastern Michigan and Eastern KY though. So basically the OP thinks we are gonna go 5-5 or 6-4 in the top 10 I listed. I suppose anything is possible, we shall see. Every next season is gonna be the "step up" season though for us. We've heard it for years.

 

[Mojocat_rivals48469]

I said in June that I expected 4-5 wins this year. I still expect 7-8 wins in 2017. My concerns were based on our offensive tackles and defensive front 7. Because all along, it was obvious. Then Meant left, and Baker and Barker got hurt. Last night, we played the nation's top-ranked team in their own house. We covered the spread and didn't get any other players hurt. Cry all you want, but that is not a bad thing in Tuscaloosa. Alabama has the best defense in the SEC. Steve Johnson, in his 2nd SEC start, still drifts to his left out of the pocket when he feels pressure coming. This results in hard hits, sacks, fumbles. But it's a fundamental mistake that inexperienced quarterbacks make, and can be fixed. Johnson is still 15 pounds too light for top SEC action, and took a beating last night. If an opponent puts pressure on Johnson, our offense quickly becomes 1-dimensional. Our tackles were exposed again. Landon isn't ready yet, but will eventually be a good player. With Johnson, we are a read-option running team that uses the run to set up our passing game. If we can't run the football, we won't win those weeks. Defensively, we are still a mixed bag. Our play upfront against the run is gradually getting better. But if we don't have a pass rush, our defensive backs can't do it all by themselves. No defensive secondary looks good when the quarterback has all day to throw. That's where our football team is now. It is what it is. Complain if you want.

For the present, Kentucky's only realistic chance for a 2016 bowl is tied to beating Vandy, Mississippi State, Missouri consecutively. I never believed this is a bowl year. I predict we win 1-2 of our next 3 games. The Vandy game will be a low scoring game, but we ought to beat Vandy in Commonwealth Stadium. Mississippi State will be interesting because Mullen has had Stoops' number, but it's another home game. We will not beat Missouri in their house because Missouri has a solid defense and a very good quarterback. But young players are stepping up. Snell, Conrad, Richardson, Stenberg, Bunchy, Young, Carter, Allen, Daniel, Baity, Edwards, McKinniss. Some people post on emotions. When possible, I try to post facts. Kentucky is redshirting Rose, Hoak, Jackson, Looney, Cross, Walker, Robinson, and Hoskins should be coming in. 19 incumbent starters plus both kickers will return in 2017. These facts tell me that our football team will take a step forward in 2017. I am also hopeful that Stoops now knows Eliot must go.

Imminently reasonable. But imminently reasonable isn't going to transform Kentucky football. For us to get there, we have to catch lightning in a bottle. What you describe is the arc that a good coach would follow. A, we don't yet know if Stoops is a good head coach - there's more evidence that he's a good DC and mediocre to bad head coach; and B, even if he good, he's pretty clearly not great - and great is what it's going to take.

Next follows the discussion of whether we will ever get a great coach, the odds of that, how smart it is to hit reset every 3-4-5 years to go after that elusive great coach, and other related issues....

 

[TBCat]

We covered the spread and didn't get any other players hurt. Cry all you want, but that is not a bad thing in Tuscaloosa.
I fully agree.

The spread was 38 points. I don't know if I've ever seen one that wide even for UK. We weren't favored by that much over New Mexico State.

 

[Tskware]

Appreciated your good analysis of this year.

I am a football fan but never played, so my analytic ability usually comes down to who won, who lost.

I do think that our most important 'games' of the year are behind us, and namely the Southern Miss loss. That set the entire season for me. For all practical purposes, I believe that ended any hope of a bowl season.

My early prediction was 4-5 wins. I am now worried that 3 may be it, as I don't think we will beat Vandy, Miss. St., or Missouri. Won't even speculate about Georgia, UT, or UL.

I have been a big Stoops fan all along, but certainly thought we would be further along by now than this team shows.

So far (with UT, Georgia and Louisville yet to play) ALL of Stoops teams have given up more yards per game than ANY of Joker's teams. Think about that sobering stat for a minute. And in year four, we are still struggling at O line and QB. Offensive skill positions (other than QB) do look a lot better under Stoops. But that is about it, from what I can tell.

 

[TBCat]

7-8 wins next season eh? Is Stoops still gonna be the coach? Cause if so I'm not sure how anyone can feel confident about 7-8 wins. All our swing games will be on the road in Vandy, SC, and MSU (well we get Missouri at home). Then we play @UT and FL (2 automatic losses for UK), @ Southern Miss, Ole Miss, UL, @UGA.

1. FL 2. UT 3. @UGA 4. Ole Miss 5. UL 6. @ Southern Miss Those are 6 pretty tough games right there, and then you throw in 7. @MSU 8. @Vandy 9. SC. 10. Missouri.

We do have mighty Eastern Michigan and Eastern KY though. So basically the OP thinks we are gonna go 5-5 or 6-4 in the top 10 I listed. I suppose anything is possible, we shall see. Every next season is gonna be the "step up" season though for us. We've heard it for years.

I'm baffled by people that think we shouldn't be expected to win this year but next year is the golden year. The teams we should beat but didn't were at home this year. They will be on the road next year. The home games we get next year are the teams that it doesn't matter where we play them. I can easily see a 2 win schedule next year if South Carolina improves any at all.

 

[Blue Decade]

I'm baffled by people that think we shouldn't be expected to win this year but next year is the golden year. The teams we should beat but didn't were at home this year. They will be on the road next year. The home games we get next year are the teams that it doesn't matter where we play them. I can easily see a 2 win schedule next year if South Carolina improves any at all.

Be baffled if you must be, but it really isn't that complicated. Everyone here knows where you stand on Stoops. Your reasoning about the schedule is premature and circumstantial. With 19 starters and both kickers coming back, with a deeper and more experienced defensive front 7, and with experienced quarterbacks back, we WILL have a much better football team in 2017. That doesn't necessarily mean our 2017 team will win. But we OUGHT to win. If was Barnhart, I would judge Stoops based on whether he maintains recruiting momentum and signs another legitimate SEC recruiting class this year, and whether he gets a much more experienced team to a decent bowl in 2017. I think the case for this approach is responsible. That's just me, but the logic is reasonable and patient, rather than emotional and impulsive.

 

[Blue Decade]

7-8 wins next season eh? Is Stoops still gonna be the coach? Cause if so I'm not sure how anyone can feel confident about 7-8 wins. All our swing games will be on the road in Vandy, SC, and MSU (well we get Missouri at home). Then we play @UT and FL (2 automatic losses for UK), @ Southern Miss, Ole Miss, UL, @UGA.

1. FL 2. UT 3. @UGA 4. Ole Miss 5. UL 6. @ Southern Miss Those are 6 pretty tough games right there, and then you throw in 7. @MSU 8. @Vandy 9. SC. 10. Missouri.

We do have mighty Eastern Michigan and Eastern KY though. So basically the OP thinks we are gonna go 5-5 or 6-4 in the top 10 I listed. I suppose anything is possible, we shall see. Every next season is gonna be the "step up" season though for us. We've heard it for years.

I think I already know where you stand on Stoops. But it's unlikely (not impossible) that he will be fired this year. Nobody knows how good every SEC team will be in 2017. But based on returning starters and more experienced quarterbacks, our team will very likely be better. That makes a lot of sense to me. If it doesn't make sense to you, we can watch the games and see what happens. So far, I have been right about 2016.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Be baffled if you must be, but it really isn't that complicated. Everyone here knows where you stand on Stoops. Your reasoning about the schedule is premature and circumstantial. With 19 starters and both kickers coming back, with a deeper and more experienced defensive front 7, and with experienced quarterbacks back, we WILL have a much better football team in 2017. That doesn't necessarily mean our 2017 team will win. But we OUGHT to win. If was Barnhart, I would judge Stoops based on whether he maintains recruiting momentum and signs another legitimate SEC recruiting class this year, and whether he gets a much more experienced team to a decent bowl in 2017. I think the case for this approach is responsible. That's just me, but the logic is reasonable and patient, rather than emotional and impulsive.

The good news if we have everyone back next year...the bad news is..we have everyone back next year.

The problem with your logic is that the better teams we play next year will still be better, even if they lose a lot. They always are. It's just how that works with better recruits year in and year out. The other problem is coaching. They have better coaches than we do for the most part. You factor in better players, and better coaches ,with a lot of the more winnable games on the road, and more of the tougher games at home against teams we never beat...not hard to make a reasonable and patient point on why to expect more of the same next year.

I guess we'll see next year, but this year is far from over. Maybe Stoops can learn how to coach and win some games and we will get to 6 this year, but you don't think he will. I just don't think he will ever if not this year as the schedule set up wonderfully for him.

 

[K_TIME]

So far (with UT, Georgia and Louisville yet to play) ALL of Stoops teams have given up more yards per game than ANY of Joker's teams. Think about that sobering stat for a minute. And in year four, we are still struggling at O line and QB. Offensive skill positions (other than QB) do look a lot better under Stoops. But that is about it, from what I can tell.

It's getting harder and harder to ignore the plain statistics of how bad a job Stoops is doing. About the only defensive stat better under Stoops has been turnover margin...but all else are same or worse.

 

[WildCard]

BD, congrats on being very consistent on this point (i.e., improvement comes next year). [winking] You have expressed that scenario many times. You are "expecting" a 2 to 4 game improvement next season based primarily on "returnees". Returnees alone do not guarantee success. I think it much more accurate to say successful returnees (better) "guarantee" success. And anything less than a 6 win this year makes it hard to qualify the season as a success.

It is hard to mine this data out so I have only a 1 year sample of "improvement" based on previous record.

In 2015 there were only 19 P5 schools that improved by 2 or more games over their 2014 record. 12 of those 19 were schools that played at .500 ball in 2014. If this were a paying job I would try to plot returnees into those number. I'm not saying the Cats can't be a 7 or 8 game winner next year but it would seem playing .500 ball this year would better set the table to do so. JMO

Peace

 

[73Card]

Not trying to be a jerk but I don't understand how you take any positives from a loss, regardless who you are playing.
When Uk's roundball team loses, I don't see folks talking about a "good loss".

 

[Bluetick2100]

Probably a good post OP
No paragraphs just makes it to hard for us old farts to read.

Imagine the likes you would have if everyone took the time to decipher your post

 

[jnewc2_rivals30628]

Every single year once the season starts going down the drain we start getting more and more of these posts attempting to somehow rationalize our mediocre play by saying "well, before the season started I predicted 4-5 wins, so we're right on track and where I expected them to be!". I mean it literally happens every. single. year. EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. Funny enough it's always followed by "But next year I expect us to finally take the next step!".

 

[brianpoe]

But young players are stepping up. Snell, Conrad, Richardson, Stenberg, Bunchy, Young, Carter, Allen, Daniel, Baity, Edwards, McKinniss. Some people post on emotions. When possible, I try to post facts. Kentucky is redshirting Rose, Hoak, Jackson, Looney, Cross, Walker, Robinson, and Hoskins should be coming in. 19 incumbent starters plus both kickers will return in 2017. These facts tell me that our football team will take a step forward in 2017. I am also hopeful that Stoops now knows Eliot must go.

This last paragraph is the reason to fire the staff if a very solid turnaround does not happen this season.

These returning players and redshirts could provide a solid foundation for a new staff.

Why do we always wait until we are totally decimated?


What looks more promising?

Stoops 6-6 in his 5th year.

or

New coach 6-6 in his 1st year.


Which one would recruits be more excited about?

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

I guess I just don't see what you see. Stoops is in year 4 and the defense is on a record breaking pace of yards being allowed. I could understand if it was year 1 or 2. Year 4, No.
His recruits, his players, and his system. He's went through 3 OC's but still has the same DC. Simple, his friendship with Eliot is more important to him obviously. It must be because he is having to do his job and Eliot's.

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

Every single year once the season starts going down the drain we start getting more and more of these posts attempting to somehow rationalize our mediocre play by saying "well, before the season started I predicted 4-5 wins, so we're right on track and where I expected them to be!". I mean it literally happens every. single. year. EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. Funny enough it's always followed by "But next year I expect us to finally take the next step!".

Excellent post.

 

[Deeeefense]

A one point win over a struggling UGA team at home, isn't a reason to conclude that we can't win at Mizzou IMO. That's a huge stretch. They were previously beaten soundly by West Virginia and were manhandled by LSU yesterday. They have two other wins over cupcakes. That doesn't make them some sort of juggernaut.

IMO that's a very winnable game for UK.

 

[rick64]

Figured 3-2 through the first 5 games. Which is where we should've been without the colossal meltdown against USM.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

A one point win over a struggling UGA team at home, isn't a reason to conclude that we can't win at Mizzou IMO. That's a huge stretch. They were previously beaten soundly by West Virginia and were manhandled by LSU yesterday. They have two other wins over cupcakes. That doesn't make them some sort of juggernaut.

IMO that's a very winnable game for UK.

It's a very winnable game. They are not that good a football team. Yes, they almost beat UGA, but UGA is not a very good team either right now. We have a long way to go before that game even matters though as beating Vandy and MSU for this coaching staff won't be easy.

I'm also not confident in Stoops' ability to win a big road game in the SEC to get that 6th win, but first things first with Vandy next week. Lose that and these other games are almost meaningless IMO.

 

[ukalum1988]

It's getting harder and harder to ignore the plain statistics of how bad a job Stoops is doing. About the only defensive stat better under Stoops has been turnover margin...but all else are same or worse.

Actually our turnover margin this year so far is one of the worst in the FBS.

 

[FiveStarBBN]

The only game UK lost that shouldn't have so far is USM. The schedule is ahead of us let's wait and see how the team looks in those games to form judgement.

 

[Hjack]

I'm also not confident in Stoops' ability to win a big road game in the SEC to get that 6th win, but first things first with Vandy next week. Lose that and these other games are almost meaningless IMO.

I'm afraid, since USM, the season and all the rest of the games became almost meaningless.

 

[ukalum1988]

I think I already know where you stand on Stoops. But it's unlikely (not impossible) that he will be fired this year. Nobody knows how good every SEC team will be in 2017. But based on returning starters and more experienced quarterbacks, our team will very likely be better. That makes a lot of sense to me. If it doesn't make sense to you, we can watch the games and see what happens. So far, I have been right about 2016.

I can think of $12 million rea$on$ why $toop$ won't get fired after thi$ $ea$on.

I hope I'm wrong but I can easily see a scenario where we finish 5-7 AGAIN, and then have to endure a stemwinding spin session from MB as to how Stoops deserves a fifth season (based on X's & O's, player development, etc), The buyout is the 800 lb gorilla in the room at the end of the season in that scenario.

I projected a 6-6 regular season, but that assumed a win over USM in the opener. I always want my beloved Cats to win every time they take the field, but I'm getting to the point where I want to see us go to a bowl game or just go 3-9 and blow this up and start over with a new coach.

 

[Shydog]

not to pick at your post but our kicker is a senior.

 

[WildcatofNati]

not to pick at your post but our kicker is a senior.

No, he's not. He's a fourth year junior.

 

[vhcat70]

The fact you are missing though is that rs freshman still dont play at most sec schools...at ky, theyre the reasoning you are using to say we' ll be better...so your facts are being presented with spin.

AL has 7 FR in two-deep of 44. You're right, they aren't most sec schools.

 

[Shydog]

No, he's not. He's a fourth year junior.

ok I will take your word for it,, the roster on here says SR, I assumed that was right, that's good news, a good kicker is so valuable!

 

[buckkiller]

I bet you 4 years undr Petrino and we are doing way way better!!

 

[BlueRunner11]

Our football team after 5 games...

Looks a lot like it did when Stoops got here 4 years ago unfortunately.

 

[WildCard]

I'm afraid, since USM, the season and all the rest of the games became almost meaningless.

Actually, the SC, Vandy, MSU and MO games became much more important. [winking]

Peace