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Why I changed my mind

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StubbornPenny

All-American
Nov 2, 2009
10,562
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I was as critical of Stoops as anyone early this season. The reasons were simple: the team did not appear to have any fight, and we were not executing plays (hell, we weren't even lining up right). Those are two cardinal sins in my football book. The team looked ready to fold for the year, and being a Kentucky fan, I assumed they would. Credit Stoops for holding it together, credit Gran and Hinshaw with tailoring their offense to something that fits our personnel, and credit Schlarman for getting his unit in line.

Here's what really has sold me. I assumed we had to have a gimmicky passing offense at Kentucky in order to compete. I was wrong! Our offensive line has matured into a monster. They don't just pass the eye test, they rank 5th nationally in in footballoutsiders.com ranks. Fifth! FIFTH!!!!! I am a proponent of building teams from the outside in, ESPECIALLY in college. Teams below us: Alabama (17th), Clemson (10th), Florida (80th), LSU (14th), Michigan (42nd), Notre Dame (45th), and USC (19th). I did not think I'd ever see the day where our OL would be ranked above any of those teams, much less ALL of them. This is crucial for the future. This is what building a powerhouse looks like. This isn't a 7-4 ceiling run 'n' gun foundation. This is the foundation to a skyscraper.

Extra credit goes to a special player by the name of Snell. Sometimes it takes one superstar to turn around the fortunes of a program. Couch almost did it in the late 90s. Cobb almost did it. It's Snell's turn now.

Overall, there was a lot to find wrong in the beginning of the season. There's a lot to find good right now.
 
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A

allabouttheUK

All-Conference
Jan 28, 2015
3,079
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StubbornPenny said:
I was as critical of Stoops as anyone early this season. The reasons were simple: the team did not appear to have any fight, and we were not executing plays (hell, we weren't even lining up right). Those are two cardinal sins in my football book. The team looked ready to fold for the year, and being a Kentucky fan, I assumed they would. Credit Stoops for holding it together, credit Gran and Hinshaw with tailoring their offense to something that fits our personnel, and credit Schlarman for getting his unit in line.

Here's what really has sold me. I assumed we had to have a gimmicky passing offense at Kentucky in order to compete. I was wrong! Our offensive line has matured into a monster. They don't just pass the eye test, they rank 5th nationally in in footballoutsiders.com ranks. Fifth! FIFTH!!!!! I am a proponent of building teams from the outside in, ESPECIALLY in college. Teams below us: Alabama (17th), Clemson (10th), Florida (80th), LSU (14th), Michigan (42nd), Notre Dame (45th), and USC (19th). I did not think I'd ever see the day where our OL would be ranked above any of those teams, much less ALL of them. This is crucial for the future. This is what building a powerhouse looks like. This isn't a 7-4 ceiling run 'n' gun foundation. This is the foundation to a skyscraper.

Extra credit goes to a special player by the name of Snell. Sometimes it takes one superstar to turn around the fortunes of a program. Couch almost did it in the late 90s. Cobb almost did it. It's Snell's turn now.

Overall, there was a lot to find wrong in the beginning of the season. There's a lot to find good right now.
Click to expand...

Excellent post. Welcome aboard!
 
S

StubbornPenny

All-American
Nov 2, 2009
10,562
9,892
0
UKvisitor said:
Too many here found seasons end with negative comments, too soon.
Click to expand...

I'll admit I thought it was over, and there was maybe a 10% chance at a bowl. Granted we've had a weaker SEC schedule than most, but whatever. You play the schedule you get, and you go win it. There'll come a time when your schedule looks weak because you're good.
 
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UKvisitor_rivals101449

All-American
Jan 3, 2007
18,099
8,602
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College football teams grow. (Well some of them) Stoops recruited well enough to get us here, and he has adjusted his coaching {in his 4th year} to make it happen for those recruits that stuck around. His personal involvement in the D is over due and greatly appreciated..
 
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UKvisitor_rivals101449

All-American
Jan 3, 2007
18,099
8,602
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I don't think any of the fans were fools. I think they thought history would prove them right. They had a good case. When is the season over?
 
Blueaz

Blueaz

Heisman
Jul 7, 2009
27,984
30,122
113
I really hope stoops has turned the corner. I'm still not 100% sold, but I'm back on the bandwagon.

I put my bet in on the money line for Kentucky this week. I just don't have the same confidence that I've had the last two weeks. Something, just doesn't feel right this week. I hope that it's just that we (I) are not used to seeing a back to back to back wins against SEC teams
 
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gjcollins79

Sophomore
Dec 19, 2006
2,411
144
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I'll step up and admit it. This team was Dead to rights. Toast. Smoked. 2-10 again. Fire Stoops. I'll contribute to the buyout. 30 straight to Florida and they could've won by 75 this year. Southern Miss? A SEC school losing to a directional university?

Something changed. Something got in these kids heads and they have played some of the best football I've seen Kentucky play in a long time. Lost to Alabama, but they didn't beat the daylights out of Kentucky. They beat the daylights out of UT.

I'm big enough to admit I was wrong and I am glad I was so wrong about this bunch. Benny Snell runs like he hates everything on the field except for those 10 guys wearing the same jersey as he does. If Boom Williams gets through the line, he's going long. Those receivers are good. The backup QB has proven to be serviceable. The defense has some holes in the front 7, but I'll contend the secondary is one of the best in the country. And we have a daggone good kicker. MacGinnis is going to be special.

So, do I think we'll beat UGa? Yeah, I do. Tennessee is an absolute dumpster fire and are very beatable. Austin Peay, bless their heart. UofL struggled mightily against UVa and dook, they are beatable.

So, Kentucky football sits in the first of November with a chance to win the SEC East. Did you ever think you'd read those words?


Did you ever think the Cubs would win a World Series again?
 
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EliteBlue

Heisman
Mar 27, 2009
16,751
20,269
0
I love that players and coaches within our conference are expressing how physical we've become.
 
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