Thoughts from a doubtful man

[TTU/UK fan]

I cant believe I am saying it, but we have a great shot at 6 wins now.

This isnt because the team has gotten much better, it has to do with how crazy the SEC is. And how pitiful the rest of our schedule performed this week. I wish Stoops luck in getting to 6. I dont think he is a very good coach. But I dont think he needs to be to beat atleast 3 of the teams left on our schedule.

Just my thoughts. I didnt think 6 wins was possible. But from what I have seen, any team left on our scheudle could either beat us by 40 or we beat them by 40. Thats how weird these teams are week-to-week. Impossible to predict.

Its very UK football-esque that the most positive looking week for our bowl game hopes is a bue week.

 

[ulismyman]

Austin Peay cant beat us by 40

 

[Robcatt24]

I'm not very confident in Stoops' head coaching ability, but then again, I've always believed UK football doesn't need to be in the business training coaches on the job.

But I will say this, if UK makes a bowl game, after the Southern Miss and Florida debacles, and losing their starting QB, then I'll feel a lot better about Stoops.

What will give me even more confidence in Stoops, is if he goes out gets a veteran DC to replace Eliot. That will show me he has the necessary balls to make a tough decision like firing a friend when it is what needs to be done.

But lets make that bowl game first.

 

[TTU/UK fan]

Austin Peay cant beat us by 40

Thanks man, I was so confused.

 

[Blue Decade]

I'm not very confident in Stoops' head coaching ability.

LOL! Then why did you start another thread to predict that Kentucky will beat 2 out of Louisville, Tennessee, Georgia? Man, you can't stay consistent from 1 hour to the next.

 

[Anon1712931820]

So now that we seem to be improving the complainers have shifted to the "we might make a bowl but it isn't because of our players and staff, but rather because everyone else sucks".

Gotcha. Hear you loud and clear guy.

 

[TXCatFBFan]

I'm not going to get sucked into false hope again. I've gotten way too worked up over this team's 2nd half of the season failures for the past two years. Until they prove they can get to a bowl...I will continue to watch them with skeptical mind.

 

[DACats86]

I'm not going to get sucked into false hope again. I've gotten way too worked up over this team's 2nd half of the season failures for the past two years. Until they prove they can get to a bowl...I will continue to watch them with skeptical mind.

That'll show them!

 

[Pike 96]

I'm not going to get sucked into false hope again. I've gotten way too worked up over this team's 2nd half of the season failures for the past two years. Until they prove they can get to a bowl...I will continue to watch them with skeptical mind.

This^^ the improvement is obvious, which is very encouraging. I went to the South Carolina game and completely expected to see us make their anemic offense look like a juggernaut and it didn't happen.

That said, just to many disappointments lately to get to optimistic yet. Come our and beat MSU and Mizzou and it's a brave new world.

 

[BBBLazing]

I'm not going to get sucked into false hope again. I've gotten way too worked up over this team's 2nd half of the season failures for the past two years. Until they prove they can get to a bowl...I will continue to watch them with skeptical mind.

I'm optimistic, but will always be slightly skeptical. That doesn't prevent you from being "cautiously optimistic."

 

[Mikey Likes It]

So now that we seem to be improving the complainers have shifted to the "we might make a bowl but it isn't because of our players and staff, but rather because everyone else sucks".

Gotcha. Hear you loud and clear guy.

It's our own unique form of progress as a fan base. Baby steps.

 

[Indy Cat]

I cant believe I am saying it, but we have a great shot at 6 wins now.

This isnt because the team has gotten much better, it has to do with how crazy the SEC is. And how pitiful the rest of our schedule performed this week. I wish Stoops luck in getting to 6. I dont think he is a very good coach. But I dont think he needs to be to beat atleast 3 of the teams left on our schedule.

Just my thoughts. I didnt think 6 wins was possible. But from what I have seen, any team left on our scheudle could either beat us by 40 or we beat them by 40. Thats how weird these teams are week-to-week. Impossible to predict.

Its very UK football-esque that the most positive looking week for our bowl game hopes is a bue week.[/Q


I think the Cats beat AP, have a shot at MIss St & Missouri. Those are the 3 games they need to win. I don't think they beat anyone else left on the schedule. (jmo based on following the Cats for over 60 years)

 

[BlueRattie_rivals]

LOL! Then why did you start another thread to predict that Kentucky will beat 2 out of Louisville, Tennessee, Georgia? Man, you can't stay consistent from 1 hour to the next.

Actually, you can believe both without fear of contradiction.

 

[1Blouman]

Agree with what the OP says except for we could beat any of them by 40. Maybe 10
but 40 not likely.

 

[tntuk]

So now that we seem to be improving the complainers have shifted to the "we might make a bowl but it isn't because of our players and staff, but rather because everyone else sucks".

Gotcha. Hear you loud and clear guy.

This. Such a joke.

 

[Cats_2010]

So now that we seem to be improving the complainers have shifted to the "we might make a bowl but it isn't because of our players and staff, but rather because everyone else sucks".

Gotcha. Hear you loud and clear guy.

Well honestly, it's a little of both right now. The Teams we are playing this year are down somewhat from their usual levels but so is Florida who made us look like a high school team week #2. We look much better regardless of competition. Thought we played tough against Alabama and didn't embarrass ourself. We actually made plays, stops, and forced punts. Stuff we did little of against Florida.

The improvement is evident but so is the weakening of the teams on our schedule. If we don't pull 6 out then honestly not a good look on stoops at all at this point. If you can't beat SEC teams when they are down you certainly aren't beating them on their good years.

 

[docholiday51]

I think the Miss St game will give us a good read on where we are and if we have a shot to get to six wins.I'm not talking about the final score,we will know based on what we see early in the game,can we match the physical play that we will see.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

I'm gonna wait and see. If they beat MSU, then maybe. SEC West has bitchslapped the east so far this year though

 

[sluggercatfan]

That'll show them!

Sorry, I agree with him, but I will show up and cheer

 

[Bluetick2100]

I need a reason to believe.
Beat MSU, and there may a reason to believe.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

On the West vs. East note, here are the remaining 7 matchups.

10/22 MSU @ UK (let's say UK wins).
11/5 FL @ ARK (I love ARK in this spot).
11/5 VU @ AU (Again, gotta go with AU).
11/12 AU @ UGA (Pickum type game, but UGA has played awful)
11/19 Ole Miss @ VU (Ole Miss, like Vandy's grit but come on now).
11/19 FL @ LSU (Pick um type, but give me LSU at home in a close one)
11/15 Ark @ Missouri (I like Arkansas)

So UK looks like the SEC Easts best hope to beat the West. I see the East winning 3 of these 7 at best.

 

[Bluetick2100]

On the West vs. East note, here are the remaining 7 matchups.

10/22 MSU @ UK (let's say UK wins).
11/5 FL @ ARK (I love ARK in this spot).
11/5 VU @ AU (Again, gotta go with AU).
11/12 AU @ UGA (Pickum type game, but UGA has played awful)
11/19 Ole Miss @ VU (Ole Miss, like Vandy's grit but come on now).
11/19 FL @ LSU (Pick um type, but give me LSU at home in a close one)
11/15 Ark @ Missouri (I like Arkansas)

So UK looks like the SEC Easts best hope to beat the West. I see the East winning 3 of these 7 at best.

Gotta take FL over LSU

 

[Anon1712931820]

Well honestly, it's a little of both right now. The Teams we are playing this year are down somewhat from their usual levels but so is Florida who made us look like a high school team week #2. We look much better regardless of competition. Thought we played tough against Alabama and didn't embarrass ourself. We actually made plays, stops, and forced punts. Stuff we did little of against Florida.

The improvement is evident but so is the weakening of the teams on our schedule. If we don't pull 6 out then honestly not a good look on stoops at all at this point. If you can't beat SEC teams when they are down you certainly aren't beating them on their good years.

To be fair Florida was a combination of the suck that is DJ Eliot and an injured QB in Barker who tried to grit it out and obviously was not himself. An offense that goes 3 and out every time caused a defense that already was putrid to be gassed....well you know the results lol.

 

[shutzhund]

So now that we seem to be improving the complainers have shifted to the "we might make a bowl but it isn't because of our players and staff, but rather because everyone else sucks".

Gotcha. Hear you loud and clear guy.

They spin faster than Pitino.

 

[SanAntonioCat_rivals376502]

I think the Miss St game will give us a good read on where we are and if we have a shot to get to six wins.I'm not talking about the final score,we will know based on what we see early in the game,can we match the physical play that we will see.

I hear ya! MSU is the next "most important game" for CMS. Then, the next and the next as if 1% of this board will dictate Mark Stoops future. The fact of the matter is CMS will be here next season and very likely the year after.

 

[MrLair]

I'm not wavering. I think Stoops is a joke. He has the rest of the season to prove me wrong.

I'll eat my crow if it comes to it.

 

[sluggercatfan]

I hear ya! MSU is the next "most important game" for CMS. Then, the next and the next as if 1% of this board will dictate Mark Stoops future. The fact of the matter is CMS will be here next season and very likely the year after.

IF he is not winning he will not get six years...if so there will be another fan revolt it will make the joker tenure look tame , except this time the fans won't come back unless MB is gone too.

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

Honestly, there are 5 or 6 SEC teams that are very similar in that they could win or lose against the other 5 or 6. USC beats Vandy, UK beats USC, Vandy beats UGA, UK beats Vandy. Throw in Missouri, a 1 pt. loser at home to UGA, and MSU, who beat USC, and you have about 6 teams you could put in a bag, shake them up, and who knows who may fall out........ They are that evenly matched !

 

[GoCatsForever2k15]

I'm with the OP. Frankly the entire field of college football is so down that anything less than a playoff birth has to be considered a disappointment imo. And that's not because we're getting better, it's just that literally every other team besides us is just unbelievably awful

 

[morgousky]

Stoops is fools gold, whether or not he gets to 6 is irrelevant to me. 6 wins today is just for bowl revenue. You lost as many as you won. That's not impressive to me.

If he could win 6 and build on that, I'd be fine with it. But I don't see any way he could move that to 7,8,9 wins. If he wins 6 next year could be the same and he's probably go back to 3,4,5 win seasons for a while. We are putting this program back a decade or more sticking with this guy.

 

[GoCatsForever2k15]

Stoops is fools gold, whether or not he gets to 6 is irrelevant to me. 6 wins today is just for bowl revenue. You lost as many as you won. That's not impressive to me.

If he could win 6 and build on that, I'd be fine with it. But I don't see any way he could move that to 7,8,9 wins. If he wins 6 next year could be the same and he's probably go back to 3,4,5 win seasons for a while. We are putting this program back a decade or more sticking with this guy.

Excellent points, agree. If he got to 6 wins this year and/or next, there's absolutely no reason to think he could build on that. I mean, it's not like that would mean he'd shown improvement in the W-L column over his time at UK or anything. Frankly there's no reason to think he'd win a single game after next year even if he goes to a bowl game

 

[BBBLazing]

I'm with the OP. Frankly the entire field of college football is so down that anything less than a playoff birth has to be considered a disappointment imo. And that's not because we're getting better, it's just that literally every other team besides us is just unbelievably awful

Do you realize it is a zero sum game? The only goal is to be better than everyone else. If everyone sucks, and we win, are you really going to say we only won because everyone sucks? Alabama could say that every year. You are good if sucked. Our goal is not to be the best team in history, it is to be the best team this year.

You are one of the people that my dear mother would say "would ***** if they were hung with a gold rope."

 

[merrimanm]

LOL! Then why did you start another thread to predict that Kentucky will beat 2 out of Louisville, Tennessee, Georgia? Man, you can't stay consistent from 1 hour to the next.

It's a way to save face. If we go bowling, then they can play the we played crappy teams card. If we don't, then it is just more fuel for their fire to hate the staff.

 

[GoCatsForever2k15]

Do you realize it is a zero sum game? The only goal is to be better than everyone else. If everyone sucks, and we win, are you really going to say we only won because everyone sucks? Alabama could say that every year. You are good if sucked. Our goal is not to be the best team in history, it is to be the best team this year.

You are one of the people that my dear mother would say "would ***** if they were hung with a gold rope."

Too bad your dear mother never taught you about sarcasm

 

[BBBLazing]

Too bad your dear mother never taught you about sarcasm

Fair enough, my bad. You never know here.

 

[Bryo72]

So now that we seem to be improving the complainers have shifted to the "we might make a bowl but it isn't because of our players and staff, but rather because everyone else sucks".

Gotcha. Hear you loud and clear guy.

Nm

 

[sluggercatfan]

IF he is not winning he will not get six years...if so there will be another fan revolt it will make the joker tenure look tame , except this time the fans won't come back unless MB is gone too.

 

[Bryo72]

IF he is not winning he will not get six years...if so there will be another fan revolt it will make the joker tenure look tame , except this time the fans won't come back unless MB is gone too.

Yes we will....like curci, Claiborne, curry, Mumme, moriss, brooks, phillips, stoops....37yrs 8 coaches (in my tenure) we come back

 

[BlueRunner11]

Stoops is fools gold, whether or not he gets to 6 is irrelevant to me. 6 wins today is just for bowl revenue. You lost as many as you won. That's not impressive to me.

If he could win 6 and build on that, I'd be fine with it. But I don't see any way he could move that to 7,8,9 wins. If he wins 6 next year could be the same and he's probably go back to 3,4,5 win seasons for a while. We are putting this program back a decade or more sticking with this guy.

6 wins is the bar for some fans. Sure they'd love more but will always settle for 6. Others of us want to consistently compete for bigger and better things and have no reason to believe Stoops is even capable of the later.

 

[BBBLazing]

6 wins is the bar for some fans. Sure they'd love more but will always settle for 6. Others of us want to consistently compete for bigger and better things and have no reason to believe Stoops is even capable of the later.

I don't understand this mindset. He is playing par golf with every coach we've had since the 70's, but is recruiting better. Sure, he is learning on the job. Maybe sticking with him during this building time will cause him to show us some loyalty when we finally move into the middle of the pack in the SEC, and then move up to the top. We're getting better and so is he. I hear plenty of complaints, but I don't hear any solutions other than "hire Petrino" or "hire Briles." Are those guys going to recruit here? Before you say yes, remember that the reigning SEC Coach of the Year and at least one National Coach of the Year recipient could not recruit like this staff is. Everyone thinks that a name can recruit here, but it hasn't happened in my long life. I'm not settling, I'm just saying we are finally on the right track. Let's give it some time and let it develop. I think it is going in the right direction.

Everyone is pissed because UL is doing well, but that was a long process. From the Fiesta Bowl against Alabama, to bringing Tennessee in to kick their ***, to playing on Thursday and Friday night when no one did that, to slowly upgrading conferences in a designed progression. Let's take the time and build this program the way one should be built. There aren't quick fixes. Every example of a quick fix you will say will show that they fall as quick as they rise. Let's build it from the bottom up and develop a program that can be successful, and sustain that success.