UL vs UK this season
- Thread starter BluZilla
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Getting back to the topic, which is UK vs UL next season, I'm picking UK. All of lulzville's good players are gone, and they get one good player for the defensive line. Sorry, not buying that they're going to be incredible when they lose a ton of their offensive production, and even more of their defensive playmakers. They added one. For their sake, hopefully no more domestic issues or gun violence issues come up, or that could sting them pretty badly.
Add in the offensive line that UK has built, and is continuing to build out of quality players who have really big bodies, as well as a ton of very good playmakers. I just expect UK to win. The team has improved all around since the end of last season, despite losing the players that we lost.
I don't see a scenario where Louisville improves after losing as much experience and production that they lost, with only one legit replacement for a defensive end.
Add in the offensive line that UK has built, and is continuing to build out of quality players who have really big bodies, as well as a ton of very good playmakers. I just expect UK to win. The team has improved all around since the end of last season, despite losing the players that we lost.
I don't see a scenario where Louisville improves after losing as much experience and production that they lost, with only one legit replacement for a defensive end.
That is stupid statement...We are not claiming to be the world beaters yet like your fan base is, but the disparity is disappearing fast and you know it...If not for the dropped ints against you and Fla. we would be talking a much different story here
I do believe Louisville will be better than some UK fans are giving them. However, I don't believe they will be anywhere as good as UofL fans think they will be. You just don't lose that much over a 2 year period and replace them with JUCOs & transfers without missing a beat. They have good talent, still. But QB and OL will determine how good they can be. I think they go 7-5. Maybe 8-4. I think we go 7-5 maybe 8-4. I think we beat them at Commonwealth. If we get any kind of CB play, our defense will be much improved.
All I know is Petrino took WKU and gave us a beating....
Until Stoops proves he can beat Petrino, I will not talk trash about UL football.
The loss to UL last season was one of the biggest choke jobs in UK football history.
Until Stoops proves he can beat Petrino, I will not talk trash about UL football.
The loss to UL last season was one of the biggest choke jobs in UK football history.
I think BP is a despicable dirt bag, but the man is a hell of a coach and that is why TJ hired him back going into the ACC and he was willing to listen to what little static they caught because the ul fan base could care less...
Freddie Maggard has stated more than once that the talent that Petrino inherited at wku was greater than MS was left at KENTUCKY...And I do think that at this point in time that BP is a more experienced HC...
You are wrong ...I do think that BP was blackballed in the ACC and ONLY TJ would touch him when nobody else in the country would...That said, he is still a hell of a coach...
You think last year's loss to UofL was one of the biggest choke jobs in UK football history??????? LOL!!!!! What an idiotic thing to say. You clearly haven't watched much UK football.
Can't be over 25-30 at the most...I think I have seen UK lose games in every form possible
UL's resurgence didn't start with firing Kragthorpe, it started with them hiring the biggest known cheater in the history of college recruiting. We all know how he did it at the U, that already has great talent all around them and the beaches, and some Card fans want to believe he was spueaky clean while talking four four stars into leaving home (along with over half of the class being from Florida) for a down and out program.
But of course neither he nor Charlie knew anything about any of that, Charlie recruiting (and signing) some of those same players from the same state. You still have to wonder why Charlie turned down a job like TU because even they (heaven forbid) couldn't stomach hurtt. And why jurich couldn't fire him when the truth became public, not that he didn't know all of it before.
But that fits in perfectly with jurich, bringing habitual criminal Willie in to get free living quarters in Kentucky for LIFE (jurich stopped the lobster deliveries though) along with taking any recruit or transfer that can play no matter their record. And of course he has the two adulterers and at least one abortionist on staff to teach his young men life's lessons.
What a joke city college has become, I used to actually root for them before they became Transfer U and jurich made a mockery of ethics in college athletics.
But of course neither he nor Charlie knew anything about any of that, Charlie recruiting (and signing) some of those same players from the same state. You still have to wonder why Charlie turned down a job like TU because even they (heaven forbid) couldn't stomach hurtt. And why jurich couldn't fire him when the truth became public, not that he didn't know all of it before.
But that fits in perfectly with jurich, bringing habitual criminal Willie in to get free living quarters in Kentucky for LIFE (jurich stopped the lobster deliveries though) along with taking any recruit or transfer that can play no matter their record. And of course he has the two adulterers and at least one abortionist on staff to teach his young men life's lessons.
What a joke city college has become, I used to actually root for them before they became Transfer U and jurich made a mockery of ethics in college athletics.
What you going to do UL when 333# Jacob Hyde comes out of our bqackfield to block you?
Here we go.... This is not only possible, but I think probable.... Especially, the UL beat down... The tide has turned and UL will take a few years of whippings....
So, you're saying that you think that UL will beat UK at Commonwealth? Nice avatar, it makes you want to ride a motor cycle.....
I think the gap definately has closed in regards to recruiting the last 3 years. It will be interesting to see how it plays out on the field this season. The one consistant thing about this game, it's a rivalry game and anything can happen regardless of the two teams records come season end. Looking forward to seeing the remodeled CWS.
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Coach Stoops keeps it real. He is not afraid to tell recruits that his team will not be very good. Hence such high recruiting classes including current class ranked as high as number nine
At first glance:
1. Louisville's running back corps looks pretty good, but...
2. Louisville's offensive line to me is a gaping question mark; I'd rather have pedestrian running backs and a very good offensive line myself
3. Louisville potentially returns three players who played significant roles at QB last year...
4. ...all three played major roles in big wins...and the same could be said in losses especially at UVa and Clemson
5. I don't care what anybody says, to me the wide receiving corps is a question mark, but...
6. James Quick being slid inside to a slot looked like a major positive in the Spring
7. Louisville had heavy losses in the secondary where for the second year in a row they lost their safety tandem to the NFL and both corners, but...
8. Josh Harvey-Clemons at safety coupled with Shaq Wiggins at corner bring positional experience as starters in this defensive scheme from Georgia and stem the three hardship losses; Harvey-Clemons should have a bearing on run support...for a year. A year from now we'll be talking about his contract numbers as a First or Second round draft pick.
9. Whatever Louisville lacks or has lost, they return an outstanding front seven. The linebacking corps is deep and experienced with Burgess, Keith Kelsey and Keith Brown, the defensive tackles led by Sheldon Rankins and Deangelo Brown are as well and the insertion of Davonta Fields bridges the loss of Mount and Mauldin. Louisville should be very difficult to run against.
1. Louisville's running back corps looks pretty good, but...
2. Louisville's offensive line to me is a gaping question mark; I'd rather have pedestrian running backs and a very good offensive line myself
3. Louisville potentially returns three players who played significant roles at QB last year...
4. ...all three played major roles in big wins...and the same could be said in losses especially at UVa and Clemson
5. I don't care what anybody says, to me the wide receiving corps is a question mark, but...
6. James Quick being slid inside to a slot looked like a major positive in the Spring
7. Louisville had heavy losses in the secondary where for the second year in a row they lost their safety tandem to the NFL and both corners, but...
8. Josh Harvey-Clemons at safety coupled with Shaq Wiggins at corner bring positional experience as starters in this defensive scheme from Georgia and stem the three hardship losses; Harvey-Clemons should have a bearing on run support...for a year. A year from now we'll be talking about his contract numbers as a First or Second round draft pick.
9. Whatever Louisville lacks or has lost, they return an outstanding front seven. The linebacking corps is deep and experienced with Burgess, Keith Kelsey and Keith Brown, the defensive tackles led by Sheldon Rankins and Deangelo Brown are as well and the insertion of Davonta Fields bridges the loss of Mount and Mauldin. Louisville should be very difficult to run against.
I don't think Clemson beats them down. They lose their OC, Defensive Line, LB Corp, 3-4 Offensive Linemen. I would pump the brakes on that statement
very honest assessment. i would agree with all that.... except dont know enough about mount and mauldins replacements to give an honest assessment. but your front 7 will be pretty darn good. i dont understand all the hype around your wr's either. those guys couldn't move the ball til parker got back into the rotation last year and as you said, quick moving may help things but who's gonna take pressure off quick?
I expect Louisville to be about what they were last season, a good team with a winning record, but a clear cut below the elite (top 10), one that probably falls in the 20-40 range. A stiff defense that makes lots of plays, but when playing good teams, tires somewhat & gives up points, in part, because of a very average and inconsistent offense that has trouble consistently driving the ball, gaining field position, and keeping defense off the field.
Last year's biggest offensive problem was inexperience & health at QB spot, and losing its stud (Parker) days before the opener unexpectedly for the first half of the season. QB play should take a big step forward because of obvious reasons (experience, Petrino), and losing Parker is huge, but OLine is a major question, and I think will be what holds this unit down another season as being mediocre, which can be described as "bad" for a Petrino team. Defensively, some questions at CB, but a very strong front 7 should help in that regard. Defense won't be the problem for them, Grantham or no Grantham.
I think Kentucky has a few more questions to answer at this point, but that doesn't mean they'll be better or worse than the Cards. I admit, that although I still watch every play of every game that UK plays in (and not because of rival obsession, but because of genuine interest as an alum), youth sports demands & closed practices no longer allow me to follow the program as closely as I once did. But I do still follow, and read what I can, so I will offer my opinions here.
I think the Cats will be improved this year due to young talent gaining experience, and a young HC getting another year under his belt running a program.
I still believe the Cats have some questions to answer at several spots, but none more daunting than these 4:
1) can they successfully replace the one really good defensive strength from a year ago they lost....great QB pressure from the edge with Dupree & Smith?
2) can the secondary make a considerable move forward, especially considering the first question?
3) are there enough experienced playmakers in the LB corp to get the defense off the field, which is vitally important in a 3-4 scheme?
4) will QB play improve to a more consistent level?
I don't know the answers to these questions yet, but I'm much more confident in #4 being a yes than 1-3. If the answer to all 4 is yes, then I think a great season is possible, maybe 8+ wins, including a win over Louisville. If the answers to all 4 are no, then winning more than 4 or 5 becomes unlikely, and so does a win over Louisville. I some yes, some no, a record between 5-7 and 7-5, and a toss up game with Louisville.
A lot can happen between now and season's end. But as of now, I say the game is there for the taking for both schools.
Last year's biggest offensive problem was inexperience & health at QB spot, and losing its stud (Parker) days before the opener unexpectedly for the first half of the season. QB play should take a big step forward because of obvious reasons (experience, Petrino), and losing Parker is huge, but OLine is a major question, and I think will be what holds this unit down another season as being mediocre, which can be described as "bad" for a Petrino team. Defensively, some questions at CB, but a very strong front 7 should help in that regard. Defense won't be the problem for them, Grantham or no Grantham.
I think Kentucky has a few more questions to answer at this point, but that doesn't mean they'll be better or worse than the Cards. I admit, that although I still watch every play of every game that UK plays in (and not because of rival obsession, but because of genuine interest as an alum), youth sports demands & closed practices no longer allow me to follow the program as closely as I once did. But I do still follow, and read what I can, so I will offer my opinions here.
I think the Cats will be improved this year due to young talent gaining experience, and a young HC getting another year under his belt running a program.
I still believe the Cats have some questions to answer at several spots, but none more daunting than these 4:
1) can they successfully replace the one really good defensive strength from a year ago they lost....great QB pressure from the edge with Dupree & Smith?
2) can the secondary make a considerable move forward, especially considering the first question?
3) are there enough experienced playmakers in the LB corp to get the defense off the field, which is vitally important in a 3-4 scheme?
4) will QB play improve to a more consistent level?
I don't know the answers to these questions yet, but I'm much more confident in #4 being a yes than 1-3. If the answer to all 4 is yes, then I think a great season is possible, maybe 8+ wins, including a win over Louisville. If the answers to all 4 are no, then winning more than 4 or 5 becomes unlikely, and so does a win over Louisville. I some yes, some no, a record between 5-7 and 7-5, and a toss up game with Louisville.
A lot can happen between now and season's end. But as of now, I say the game is there for the taking for both schools.
This looks right to me. Whether the remining parts in the defensive backfield can plug the losses with the transfers will be seen. What kind of depth is there behind those starters (games is at the end of season, can they develop depth and avoid injury)? UK has same questions at corner. LBers look really good, and are all pro according to UL fans. The OLine really seems like it will be tested and remains a question mark. It was not great last year with two NFL draft picks.
WR is a question mark. Quick will be solid, but there are supporting roles that will be young and inexperienced. Have to wait and see.
There was a brief stretch where I thought the offensive line was decent--the stretch of B.C., FSU and Notre Dame--but the rest of the season I thought they were mediocre and under-performing as run blockers considering that there were three multiyear starters. They ran over ND, but ND was putting everybody but the Archbishop and two nuns at DT by that point in the year. I'd love for Jamon Brown and John Miller to have been redshirted so that we have them back instead of in the NFL, but Signing Day flips on the offensive line five years ago made burning those red shirts necessary.
UL's schedule is not tougher than last year. UL plays 4 teams. Auburn, Clemson, Florida St, and UK. Clemson has a ton of question marks and that game is at home, Florida St is replacing their QB. UL should easily win 9 games this season.
I see the matchup as being pretty good next yr. At this time I would call it a coin-flip game. Both teams have questionmarks but are on the rise. It's a home game which should help. I hope we lock up a bowl game berth before we play them.
But, if Cardhack's breakdown is accurate, then I really like our match-up.
-If the Cards don't have an established QB, WR questions, and a suspect o-line, I think at this time I would give the advantage to UK's defense.
-If the Cards defense is most suspect in the secondary, I think it favors UK as well. We are going to spread the ball a lot......we don't really have 1 main go-to WR but rather have a slew of guys who are going to share the ball. Then throw in our potential o-line strength and our definite RB strength and I feel UK has the advantage.
But, if Cardhack's breakdown is accurate, then I really like our match-up.
-If the Cards don't have an established QB, WR questions, and a suspect o-line, I think at this time I would give the advantage to UK's defense.
-If the Cards defense is most suspect in the secondary, I think it favors UK as well. We are going to spread the ball a lot......we don't really have 1 main go-to WR but rather have a slew of guys who are going to share the ball. Then throw in our potential o-line strength and our definite RB strength and I feel UK has the advantage.
I'm 41 years old and I've been watching my whole life.
The drop by McWilson, which cost us the game, was the biggest choke play I've ever seen at UK except for the interception Lorenzen threw vs. Florida when all he had to do was run out the clock and seal the victory in Lexington.
Yes, UK had multiple chances to win vs. UL last season. It was a horrible choke job. And for those making excuses for losing to that football powerhouse, WKU, well, excuses, excuses.....
Fact is, Petrino continues to beat us like a drum most years wherever he is.....That is reality. That WKU loss was awful and should have never happened at UK.
I've already predicted that UK should win this season's game vs. UL.
Were you out at the store buying bread during the LSU game?
I don't know that we have more questions just that we have 2 obvious questions. LB and cb. Lb's got better as the year went on and their problem was fixable and not one of ability. Cb's. Are the opposite.they just seem to be in over their head. We have some young guys that are gonna push the upperclassmen but cb will not be a strength til '16.
Petrino took over a team that had been solid and went to a bowl game. Stoops took over a program with Sunbelt level talent and a first year QB.
I can't wait to put the Petrino slurpers on here and the UL fans in their place this year. UK is gonna wipe that smile off of the entire Cardinal fanbase in November.
I can comment with a lot of confidence on Clemons and Wiggins. Clemons is a good player, he was never arrested he just couldn't pass the test UGA gives, he was never arrested in Athens. He never lived up to his recruiting ranking and unless he has gotten quite a bit bigger he is an ultimate tweener, 6'5" 215, too small for LB and a little slow for S, but he has some good instincts and can play. He would have played at UGA if he was still there, but I am not sure how much, he isn't what Pruitt wants in his secondary guys, too slow. But he can play and I wasn't happy to see him dismissed. Wiggins on the other hand, I thought he was a wasted scholarship when he signed and his play reenforced that as the year went alone. He is 5'9 weighs about 160 and runs a 4.8 40, he gave up the longest pass play in UGA history on a 3rd and 20+ from inside the 1 yard line, so a 99+ yarder that will never be broken. He wasn't going to play another snap at UGA and was told that by Pruitt, so he left.
But the surprising thing about UL's defense was how they quit on Grantham, in the 4th quarter they wanted no part of tackling Chubb, granted it couldn't be much fun tackling him, especially with the ranking they had against the rush. But the unfortunate thing for UK is all those kids who had fundamentals taught to them by Strong and company who ran out of eligibility are gone, replaced by kids who Grantham feels should know how to tackle and line up. Do a little hurry up and Grantham's defense's are running to get in position because he is so slow getting the play in, you saw that against us, we scored once when UL wasn't lined up, by plan. I was shocked to see UGA score the last one, but I guess Richt and Bobo wanted one more against Grantham, every UGA fan is so thankful to UL for hiring him.
We're definitely more talented than Louisville for the first time since 2011 looking at the rosters prior to the season. My breakdown is below:
QB - Big UK advantage. Towles is much better than any of Louisville's QBs and I would even take Drew Barker over any of their QBs. I have a feeling Will Gardner will be Louisville's starting QB by the end of the season after Bonnofon plays poorly. It was very bad news for Louisville that the Penn State QB transfer with a canon-arm was a total non-factor in their wide-open QB job this spring. However, Louisville does have much more depth and experience at this position than UK.
RB - Big UK advantage. Boom Williams is the best RB UK has had since Moe Williams. Louisville will be relying on a JUCO transfer and a talented true freshman who looks very doubtful to qualify (James Allen). Brandon Radcliffe is adequate at best and they have virtually no one under him on the depth chart that can play.
WR - Big UK advantage. Louisville lost 5 WRs from last season's team; whereas, UK lost only 2 solid WRs, but get back 2 solid WRs who medically redshirted this past season. Louisville is replacing their losses with 3 transfers; two of which were at the bottom of the depth chart at Tennessee and Texas A&M; and one of which is a UAB transfer. That is a major downgrade from Parker, Rodgers, and De la Cruz. UK has done a much better job recruiting this position in 2013 and 2014.
TE - Big Louisville advantage. Keith Towbridge and Charles Stanberry are a much better TE pair than UK's freshmen CJ Conrad and Daryl Long.
OL - Big UK advantage. I would rank Louisville's 2015 Oline as one of the worst in all of college football. They were terrible in 2014 and that was with two high draft picks and another 4-year senior starter. Charlie Strong did a terrible job recruiting this position and Petrino's lunatic OL coach ran-off a bunch of their soft Olinemen during the 1st spring there. Louisville's two returning starting Olinemen consist of a player Charlie Strong cut from the team last January (Epps) and a walk-on who played terribly last season (Hughly). UK returns 7 of its 8-man OL rotation from last season, 4 of which were redshirt freshmen. UK's Oline should be much improved and is much deeper than Louisville's.
DL - Big Louisville advantage. Louisville has one of the best 3-4 fronts in college football. I think Rankins is the best player on their team and is probably the best DL we will face all season. Udub transfer Pio Vatuvei played well last season and DeAngelo Brown is a huge run-stopper. They have a really nice 5-man rotation along the line. UK has two serviceable senior DEs and an elite NG in Melvin Lewis.
LB - Big Louisville advantage. Louisville has an elite pair of starting ILBs, although will have to replace their 2 starting OLBs who were drafted. 50/50 chance their big-time TCU Big XII defensive player of the year qualifies academically and enrolls in school, so this position will take a huge blow if he doesn't. UK is much improved at ILB, though Kelsey/Burgess are much better than Forest/Flannigan. UK has no depth at OLB and loses Dupree.
DB - Even. Louisville has the 2 Georgia transfers, but questions surround the other projected starters and 2nd teammers in their secondary. UK's top 3 CBs have been terrible the past 3 years, but at least they are now seniors with a ton of experience. I think the secondary is a major weakness for both teams.
K - Even. Wallace and McGuiness are both elite kickers.
P - Big UK advantage. Louisville's punter last season was atrocious. Landon Foster is just OK.
QB - Big UK advantage. Towles is much better than any of Louisville's QBs and I would even take Drew Barker over any of their QBs. I have a feeling Will Gardner will be Louisville's starting QB by the end of the season after Bonnofon plays poorly. It was very bad news for Louisville that the Penn State QB transfer with a canon-arm was a total non-factor in their wide-open QB job this spring. However, Louisville does have much more depth and experience at this position than UK.
RB - Big UK advantage. Boom Williams is the best RB UK has had since Moe Williams. Louisville will be relying on a JUCO transfer and a talented true freshman who looks very doubtful to qualify (James Allen). Brandon Radcliffe is adequate at best and they have virtually no one under him on the depth chart that can play.
WR - Big UK advantage. Louisville lost 5 WRs from last season's team; whereas, UK lost only 2 solid WRs, but get back 2 solid WRs who medically redshirted this past season. Louisville is replacing their losses with 3 transfers; two of which were at the bottom of the depth chart at Tennessee and Texas A&M; and one of which is a UAB transfer. That is a major downgrade from Parker, Rodgers, and De la Cruz. UK has done a much better job recruiting this position in 2013 and 2014.
TE - Big Louisville advantage. Keith Towbridge and Charles Stanberry are a much better TE pair than UK's freshmen CJ Conrad and Daryl Long.
OL - Big UK advantage. I would rank Louisville's 2015 Oline as one of the worst in all of college football. They were terrible in 2014 and that was with two high draft picks and another 4-year senior starter. Charlie Strong did a terrible job recruiting this position and Petrino's lunatic OL coach ran-off a bunch of their soft Olinemen during the 1st spring there. Louisville's two returning starting Olinemen consist of a player Charlie Strong cut from the team last January (Epps) and a walk-on who played terribly last season (Hughly). UK returns 7 of its 8-man OL rotation from last season, 4 of which were redshirt freshmen. UK's Oline should be much improved and is much deeper than Louisville's.
DL - Big Louisville advantage. Louisville has one of the best 3-4 fronts in college football. I think Rankins is the best player on their team and is probably the best DL we will face all season. Udub transfer Pio Vatuvei played well last season and DeAngelo Brown is a huge run-stopper. They have a really nice 5-man rotation along the line. UK has two serviceable senior DEs and an elite NG in Melvin Lewis.
LB - Big Louisville advantage. Louisville has an elite pair of starting ILBs, although will have to replace their 2 starting OLBs who were drafted. 50/50 chance their big-time TCU Big XII defensive player of the year qualifies academically and enrolls in school, so this position will take a huge blow if he doesn't. UK is much improved at ILB, though Kelsey/Burgess are much better than Forest/Flannigan. UK has no depth at OLB and loses Dupree.
DB - Even. Louisville has the 2 Georgia transfers, but questions surround the other projected starters and 2nd teammers in their secondary. UK's top 3 CBs have been terrible the past 3 years, but at least they are now seniors with a ton of experience. I think the secondary is a major weakness for both teams.
K - Even. Wallace and McGuiness are both elite kickers.
P - Big UK advantage. Louisville's punter last season was atrocious. Landon Foster is just OK.