as they seem after a big win. I wrote this a few weeks ago in regards to how the bad loss to Southern Miss. put the fanbase in bad tailspin. It was really just a bad 2 qtrs. Granted, it was an atrocious 2 qtrs. Since I've already written about fanbases swinging too far emotionally after a bad loss, I think tonight is a good time to be reminded of the 2nd part of that same principle.
This isn't an anti Stoops post. I wrote several times last week that I thought his time management at the end of the game was very good. The announcers made a statement and everyone hopped on the bandwagon, but the tape never lies.
Today was a huge win for Stoops and a huge win for UK. But, UK will continue having bad losses and big wins for the next few years. That's part of building a program in the SEC from shambles.
I like (and have liked for the last 2 years) the direction the program is going. For the naysayers who say the SEC wins are against Vandy, MSU, Mo & SC ... UK was an underdog in at least 2 of these games. (I don't remember the Vegas lines for Vandy & SC.) 2 of these games were on the road. Vandy has beat Ga. and SC is tough at home. Things only change in the SEC (or any league) when some teams are down and other teams take advantage of it. My guess is that the same people who say our wins are against bad SEC teams are people who did not expect UK to win those games. Some fans even seem upset that we won.
Hiring Gran was a great move by Stoops. Stoops has confidence in Gran which allows Stoops to focus in his specialty. Stoops and Elliott have good chemistry and nothing should change there. (This is assuming Elliott is okay with staying in this role.) I'm sure Stoops will continue to let DJ keep the coordinator title. I think Barker is the better quarterback and opens up more options for the offense and I don't think the first half against Southern Miss was a fluke. However, Johnson is a winner and forcing the offense to run more than they originally planned made the offensive line more physical. Most coaches will tell you that you can teach a run oriented lineman to pass protect, but getting a pass oriented lineman to run block takes time. Being forced to the run game has been a blessing in disguise. Our offensive line (once considered a weakness) is now aggressive and bulldozing SEC defenses. Seeing the coaching adjustments and player development from game 1 to today is very encouraging.
It will be interesting to see how UK plays with the bowl pressure off. (I'm assuming a win against AP.) It will be interesting to see how Stoops and staff coach with the bowl pressure off. Here's my guess. UK will be super aggressive the rest of the way. I expect more blitzing, on-side kicks, trick plays, fake field goals, energy, etc... He's playing with house money & momentum is a tremendous weapon when it's working in your favor. He may not venture too far from the script, but I expect some of the above as the season wraps up.
We weren't as bad as many were writing during the first 4 weeks. We're not as good as some think and are writing tonight. But, we're right where a program should be when you're trying to build something that's never happened before. I'm not forgetting some of our good years. I think Stoops and UK are trying to get beyond a few good years and build a program that can consistently win 8+ games. That doesn't happen overnight. I don't expect for it to happen next year. I do think getting bowl eligible becomes normal and getting to 7-9 wins on a consistent basis happens in the next 2-3 years.
This isn't an anti Stoops post. I wrote several times last week that I thought his time management at the end of the game was very good. The announcers made a statement and everyone hopped on the bandwagon, but the tape never lies.
Today was a huge win for Stoops and a huge win for UK. But, UK will continue having bad losses and big wins for the next few years. That's part of building a program in the SEC from shambles.
I like (and have liked for the last 2 years) the direction the program is going. For the naysayers who say the SEC wins are against Vandy, MSU, Mo & SC ... UK was an underdog in at least 2 of these games. (I don't remember the Vegas lines for Vandy & SC.) 2 of these games were on the road. Vandy has beat Ga. and SC is tough at home. Things only change in the SEC (or any league) when some teams are down and other teams take advantage of it. My guess is that the same people who say our wins are against bad SEC teams are people who did not expect UK to win those games. Some fans even seem upset that we won.
Hiring Gran was a great move by Stoops. Stoops has confidence in Gran which allows Stoops to focus in his specialty. Stoops and Elliott have good chemistry and nothing should change there. (This is assuming Elliott is okay with staying in this role.) I'm sure Stoops will continue to let DJ keep the coordinator title. I think Barker is the better quarterback and opens up more options for the offense and I don't think the first half against Southern Miss was a fluke. However, Johnson is a winner and forcing the offense to run more than they originally planned made the offensive line more physical. Most coaches will tell you that you can teach a run oriented lineman to pass protect, but getting a pass oriented lineman to run block takes time. Being forced to the run game has been a blessing in disguise. Our offensive line (once considered a weakness) is now aggressive and bulldozing SEC defenses. Seeing the coaching adjustments and player development from game 1 to today is very encouraging.
It will be interesting to see how UK plays with the bowl pressure off. (I'm assuming a win against AP.) It will be interesting to see how Stoops and staff coach with the bowl pressure off. Here's my guess. UK will be super aggressive the rest of the way. I expect more blitzing, on-side kicks, trick plays, fake field goals, energy, etc... He's playing with house money & momentum is a tremendous weapon when it's working in your favor. He may not venture too far from the script, but I expect some of the above as the season wraps up.
We weren't as bad as many were writing during the first 4 weeks. We're not as good as some think and are writing tonight. But, we're right where a program should be when you're trying to build something that's never happened before. I'm not forgetting some of our good years. I think Stoops and UK are trying to get beyond a few good years and build a program that can consistently win 8+ games. That doesn't happen overnight. I don't expect for it to happen next year. I do think getting bowl eligible becomes normal and getting to 7-9 wins on a consistent basis happens in the next 2-3 years.
