Why Were We So Bad the First Two Games?

[UKWinsAgainYep]

I'm positive like everyone else right now regarding our last few games. I seriously appreciate what Coach Stoops has done with our Defense because we lack serious depth. He is getting the most out of a thin Defense with young talent.

In addition, I feel more comfortable with Coach Gran on offense than any offensive coordinator I can remember at UK in the past twenty years.

I want Coach Stoops to succeed because frankly, I like the guy and want long term stability at UK football.

It just bugs me and "concerns me".....How could we come out SO FLAT the first two games? I mean, we looked HORRIFIC on defense.

What did Coach Stoops do to turn this ship around the last few games?

I wish I was a fly on the wall during practices. I'm assuming that he is Coaching different and behaving different to get these different results?

Something has changed........And changed for the better......

What is it? What is your hypothesis?

 

[Lonesome Hippopotamus]

I know what you mean, for the most part.. but if you remember correctly the first half of the Southern miss game we were on FIRE! I mean torching USM. Then the second half came and we were stuck in the mud. It didn't help that we end the last season against our number one rival like that. I don't like to blame the kids, so I am going to say coaching and that is it. Specifically the D Coordinator. I think he is in over his head. It seems to me it is a charity job given to him by his buddy Mark Stoops and Coach is too nice of a guy to say, look buddy... time for you to take a hike.. you ain't cutting the coordinator position.

 

[thepip]

CMS

 

[CB3UK]

We were using thw same playcall signals against USM. That collapase has alrrady been explained. Florida never should have torched us like they did. Same for New Mexico State. When Stoops grabbed the reigns at halftime the defense only gave up 1 score. Its hard to forget all of that, but we as a fanbase need to focus on these next two winnable games.

 

[BigBlueTuckian]

Miss State, Missouri, and Georgia games will tell the tale. Everyone expected us to beat SC and Vandy at home, no one expected us to beat Florida and Bama on the road.

 

[tluck28]

Aside from Bama the first two games are the two best teams the cats have played. That's just how bad the east is this year.

 

[JPFisher]

Miss State, Missouri, and Georgia games will tell the tale. Everyone expected us to beat SC and Vandy at home, no one expected us to beat Florida and Bama on the road.

I didn't expect us to win either if I'm being honest.

 

[merrimanm]

It's called youth on defense and at QB. You have to have QB play to do well. Barker AND the defense did very well against USM in the first half. What happened? The team thought the game was won and took the 2nd half off. Your will do that to you. They had to learn that you have to play the entire game. Same thing with Florida. The kids we had playing in key roles were on the road in a crazy environment for the first time and got popped and they didn't know how to respond.

Also, Stoops taking over the defense was a big step as well.

 

[rabidcatfan]

So far, we've only had one unexpected loss - USM. So, everyone thought we'd be 4-2 right now and we are 3-3. If we were 1-5 then I'd say that this thing has sunk and we need to move on, but CMS has begun to right the ship. It's still listing to starboard, but it's beginning to roll back up and a win Saturday will right the ship completely because that puts us at 4-3, which isn't a terrible position to be in. We're going to beat Austin Peay, so that means we just have to win ONE of @Mizzou, UGa, @UT, or @UL to go to the first bowl game of the CMS era. None of those games, based on their recent play, are what I would consider "automatic losses". Now, if we lose to MSU Saturday, then I'd say our chances of getting to 6 wins is very unlikely, because if we can't beat them then it's not likely that we're going to manage TWO wins versus Mizzou, UGa, UT, or UL.

Regardless, our defense has improved by leaps and bounds and we have one of the most potent ground games in the SEC, so there is a chance of us going 6-6, 7-5, or even 8-4 if we're lucky, so the fact that we came out flat in the 2nd half of game one and ALL of game two can be forgiven if we can get to a bowl.

 

[cardinals1970]

Miss State, Missouri, and Georgia games will tell the tale. Everyone expected us to beat SC and Vandy at home, no one expected us to beat Florida and Bama on the road.

I agree that you will get a better idea where your defense is with these next 3 games.
South Carolina is 126th in total offense and Vandy is 128th and Bama 17th. Your next 3 games the offenses are much better than SC and Vandy. GA #73. Miss St. #74 and Missouri #24.

 

[UKUGA]

Barker being hurt (perhaps as early as the second half of Game 1, if not sooner?) didn't help either. Our offense could do nothing to give the defense rest for those six quarters (2nd half of G1 and all of G2).

 

[Anon1660081258]

It's called youth on defense and at QB.

Spot on. You might add youth on the coaching staff, if true that we lined up against USM using 2015 defensive signals. Is that an established fact? If so... well... dunno what to say for "DC".

 

[Johnfarrel]

Barker being hurt (perhaps as early as the second half of Game 1, if not sooner?) didn't help either. Our offense could do nothing to give the defense rest for those six quarters (2nd half of G1 and all of G2).

I believe Barker was the key. If the offense had continued strong in the second half of the first game, Kentucky would have won that game despite the defense lapse. Two second half touchdowns would have won the game even if USM had scored as much as it did. There has to be a reason for going from 5 touchdowns to 0 and I don't think it was all defensive adjustments by USM.

 

[mtn cat1]

I'm positive like everyone else right now regarding our last few games. I seriously appreciate what Coach Stoops has done with our Defense because we lack serious depth. He is getting the most out of a thin Defense with young talent.

In addition, I feel more comfortable with Coach Gran on offense than any offensive coordinator I can remember at UK in the past twenty years.

I want Coach Stoops to succeed because frankly, I like the guy and want long term stability at UK football.

It just bugs me and "concerns me".....How could we come out SO FLAT the first two games? I mean, we looked HORRIFIC on defense.

What did Coach Stoops do to turn this ship around the last few games?

I wish I was a fly on the wall during practices. I'm assuming that he is Coaching different and behaving different to get these different results?

Something has changed........And changed for the better......

What is it? What is your hypothesis?

In your analysis, I believe you answered your own ? . Ky was simply unprepared & lacked motivation to start the season! That delema continued until halftime of the NMS Game at which time Coach Stoops was forced to assume control of the defense!

Regratable, I believe this same problem existed the last half of last season & perhaps even beyond that!!! I further believe that this problem does not mean that our DC is lacking in knowledge but that he does lack the skill to impart that knowledge & to motivate our athletes!!!!!!

 

[docholiday51]

I believe Barker was the key. If the offense had continued strong in the second half of the first game, Kentucky would have won that game despite the defense lapse. Two second half touchdowns would have won the game even if USM had scored as much as it did. There has to be a reason for going from 5 touchdowns to 0 and I don't think it was all defensive adjustments by USM.

I think this is it in a nut shell,probably if we had scored one TD we win the game,we were also playing a couple of the wrong people on defense and they played too many snaps.

The good thing is that the players and coaches have moved on from that game but it is still a valid point to understand how much that game changed the season.We may yet overcome the poor start but what could have been and what was within our grasp puts many things in a whole new light

 

[Mike-D]

In your analysis, I believe you answered your own ? . Ky was simply unprepared & lacked motivation to start the season! That delema continued until halftime of the NMS Game at which time Coach Stoops was forced to assume control of the defense!

Regratable, I believe this same problem existed the last half of last season & perhaps even beyond that!!! I further believe that this problem does not mean that our DC is lacking in knowledge but that he does lack the skill to impart that knowledge & to motivate our athletes!!!!!!

Which all falls on Stoops. He's had the same DC for 4 years.

 

[merrimanm]

Spot on. You might add youth on the coaching staff, if true that we lined up against USM using 2015 defensive signals. Is that an established fact? If so... well... dunno what to say for "DC".

I believe someone said that Dawson said they were the same. My response to that though is if that was true, why didn't he exploit that in the first half?

 

[law1127]

I'll repeat that a source on staff,said the defensive scheme was too complicated and the players,because of the complexity,had to analyze instead of playing aggressively ! After the Florida game,Stoops took over the DC position from Eliot,assigned a quality control staff member,to take over the press box position and communication,resulting in a vastly reduced role for Eliot. The results from these changes are much more aggressive,effective defense. Eliot is a nice guy,maybe a good position coach,but does not have,at this time,have the demeanor with intensity necessary to be a effective DC. So the changes have been positive,with Stoops finally realizing that for him to be sucessful , he'd better takeover the defense.

 

[docholiday51]

I believe someone said that Dawson said they were the same. My response to that though is if that was true, why didn't he exploit that in the first half?

It took him that long to figure it out,if Barker doesn't turn it over in the 2nd half we win anyway

 

[ukgrad83]

Good coaches run their programs like dictatorships. The head man has to realize that although he can be friendly with the assistant coaches, he can't be friends with them. It's not about building consensus it's about getting the job done. I think MS didn't fully embrace that but now sees that sometimes he's going to have to chew out an assistant or two. Time will tell but I'm hoping he's finally accepting the role of head coach and that's why things are improving.

 

[merrimanm]

It took him that long to figure it out,if Barker doesn't turn it over in the 2nd half we win anyway

If it took him that long to figure it out, then what was he doing?

 

[docholiday51]

If it took him that long to figure it out, then what was he doing?

Thinking"those signals?where have I seen those signals before?

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

Simple answer. Coaching. Spin it however you want, but coaching was the problem.

 

[cole854]

What did Coach Stoops do to turn this ship around the last few games?

The ship has turned around? You miss the 3 INT's Vandy dropped in the first half? You miss the 2 wide open receivers their QB missed on the last drive? A W is a W, but don't make it out to look like some sort of miracle has happened. They got very lucky and will need to play much better Sat.

 

[Vonburns1]

Many are blaming Stoops for a second half failure on O or game long on D against USM. The second half failure on O was all Barker. Two fumbles and one INT in five second half possessions are just unbelievable. The D was Elliot and was certainly indirectly Stoops. You had improvement on D ranking in each of the three prior years. Then first game - just awful and same for the next two games. Now Stoops has taken over and turned a sows ear into a silk purse. He can fire an O coordinator after one year. Can he fire a friend who he mentored? We shall see.

 

[Mikey Likes It]

I have no idea why we were so horrible against Florida, it seems we always just choke when we see Orange and Blue together. I think simplifying the defensive calls has really helped since early in the season so many guys were just flat out of position to make the play. Mainly though I was just posting to agree that Eddie Grans offensive play calling has been a breath of fresh air. I think he's called some masterful games, including the plays we didn't hit or just missed they were still fantastic calls.

 

[shutzhund]

I'm positive like everyone else right now regarding our last few games. I seriously appreciate what Coach Stoops has done with our Defense because we lack serious depth. He is getting the most out of a thin Defense with young talent.

In addition, I feel more comfortable with Coach Gran on offense than any offensive coordinator I can remember at UK in the past twenty years.

I want Coach Stoops to succeed because frankly, I like the guy and want long term stability at UK football.

It just bugs me and "concerns me".....How could we come out SO FLAT the first two games? I mean, we looked HORRIFIC on defense.

What did Coach Stoops do to turn this ship around the last few games?

I wish I was a fly on the wall during practices. I'm assuming that he is Coaching different and behaving different to get these different results?

Something has changed........And changed for the better......

What is it? What is your hypothesis?

Young players on defense learning what SEC football is all about, You can tell them but until they experience it talk is all there is.

The offense changed QB and his run threat plus a greater emphasis on the ground game has made a difference. For far too long have we been in love with the long passing game.

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

Vanda has little to no offense and UK won by 7 points. Same with SC. MSU is much better offensively than both of those teams. UK offense better get it together.

 

[Mikey Likes It]

Vanda has little to no offense and UK won by 7 points. Same with SC. MSU is much better offensively than both of those teams. UK offense better get it together.

Miss State is ranked 11th in the conference in offense. (Kentucky is 12th and Vandy is 13th) so I'm not expecting an explosion, but they are better than Vandy and South Carolina. I'm more concerned they like to run the QB. He's not a speedy QB but he could still give us fits.

 

[Poetax]

Miss State, Missouri, and Georgia games will tell the tale. Everyone expected us to beat SC and Vandy at home, no one expected us to beat Florida and Bama on the road.

After the first couple of games I'm not sure that "Everyone" expected us to beat anyone, lol.

 

[Poetax]

Miss State is ranked 11th in the conference in offense. (Kentucky is 12th and Vandy is 13th) so I'm not expecting an explosion, but they are better than Vandy and South Carolina. I'm more concerned they like to run the QB. He's not a speedy QB but he could still give us fits.

Let's hope that the defensive coaches and Stoops plan for this QB, it ain't rocket science when one player is that much of your total offense.

 

[docholiday51]

After the first couple of games I'm not sure that "Everyone" expected us to beat anyone, lol.

More like everyone expected us to beat no one:flushed:

 

[docholiday51]

Let's hope that the defensive coaches and Stoops plan for this QB, it ain't rocket science when one player is that much of your total offense.

Amen,I think Jones Ware and Allen will play big roles in how this one plays out,I like our chances

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

Miss State is ranked 11th in the conference in offense. (Kentucky is 12th and Vandy is 13th) so I'm not expecting an explosion, but they are better than Vandy and South Carolina. I'm more concerned they like to run the QB. He's not a speedy QB but he could still give us fits.

A running QB has long been kryptonite for UK. I watched the BYU game. Their QB has a cannon for an arm and is a very good runner. UK better buckle up for him.
I'm surprised they are ranked 11th, but I saw a good QB and a really good receiver.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Good coaches run their programs like dictatorships. The head man has to realize that although he can be friendly with the assistant coaches, he can't be friends with them. It's not about building consensus it's about getting the job done. I think MS didn't fully embrace that but now sees that sometimes he's going to have to chew out an assistant or two. Time will tell but I'm hoping he's finally accepting the role of head coach and that's why things are improving.

Nick Saban said when asked about a sideline "discussion" he had with LK..."that wasn't a discussion, that was an "*** chewing"!!!

 

[kevyboy20]

I believe a big role was not having any form of idenity on both sides of the ball.

 

[olblue]

I know what you mean, for the most part.. but if you remember correctly the first half of the Southern miss game we were on FIRE! I mean torching USM. Then the second half came and we were stuck in the mud. It didn't help that we end the last season against our number one rival like that. I don't like to blame the kids, so I am going to say coaching and that is it. Specifically the D Coordinator. I think he is in over his head. It seems to me it is a charity job given to him by his buddy Mark Stoops and Coach is too nice of a guy to say, look buddy... time for you to take a hike.. you ain't cutting the coordinator position.

Even though USM is a cupcake and Florida is rebuilding, they are a lot better than NM State, South Carolina and Vandy.

 

[WildCard]

Part of the subject line question is easy...FL is simply a better team. The nation's #2 defense stonewalled the nation's #103 offense and the nation's #50 offense scored repeatedly on the nation's #89 defense. In retrospect, the USM game is a head scratcher. The game featured Jeckyl and Hyde halves by both teams with USM coming out on top. But USM now stands at a somewhat puzzling 4-3.

Regarding "what" has since changed, I'm not sure. As discussed in another thread the Cats do seem to "look better" but are they actually "playing better"? I don't know.

The 4 games since FL have been as expected, wins as a favorite over NM St (-22), Vandy (-3) and SC (-2.5), a loss to highly favored AL (+35). Ignoring top ranked AL, the 3 wins were all at home and have come against opponents that are presently 2-4, 3-4 and 2-4 and ranked #184, #68 and #77 in the current Sagarin rankings. Most "improvement talk" is about improved defense but any such improvements have come against offenses currently ranked #43, #127 and #125. I think that level of offensive ineptness makes it hard to conclusively say the defense has improved.

So, with the exception of the USM game, IMO, the season has gone pretty much as expected. The next 2 games (maybe 3) against #54 MSU, #57 Mizzou and #50 ranked GA should be a better indicator of actual improvement. But in the larger sense I think the 2016 season is more about "meeting expectations" rather than "getting better". JMO.

Peace

 

[docholiday51]

Part of the subject line question is easy...FL is simply a better team. The nation's #2 defense stonewalled the nation's #103 offense and the nation's #50 offense scored repeatedly on the nation's #89 defense. In retrospect, the USM game is a head scratcher. The game featured Jeckyl and Hyde haves by both teams with USM coming out on top. But USM now stands at a somewhat puzzling 4-3.

Regarding "what" has since changed, I'm not sure. As discussed in another thread the Cats do seem to "look better" but are they actually "playing better"? I don't know.

The 4 games since FL have been as expected, wins as a favorite over NM St (-22), Vandy (-3) and SC (-2.5), a loss to highly favored AL (+35). Ignoring top ranked AL, the 3 wins were all at home and have come against opponents that are presently 2-4, 3-4 and 2-4 and ranked #184, #68 and #77 in the current Sagarin rankings. Most "improvement talk" is about improved defense but any such improvements have come against offenses currently ranked #43, #127 and #125. I think that level of offensive ineptness makes it hard to conclusively say the defense has improved.

So, with the exception of the USM game, IMO, the season has gone pretty much as expected. The next 2 games (maybe 3) against #54 MSU, #57 Mizzou and #50 ranked GA should be a better indicator of actual improvement. But in the larger sense I think the 2016 season is more about "meeting expectations" rather than "getting better". JMO.

Peace

A very good post that explains where we are in a nut shell,we will really know more after Saturday,close won't be good enough we need a win to say and show that there has been improvement. It is up to the players and coaches to take the next step.

 

[BIGBLUEQ]

A running QB has long been kryptonite for UK. I watched the BYU game. Their QB has a cannon for an arm and is a very good runner. UK better buckle up for him.
I'm surprised they are ranked 11th, but I saw a good QB and a really good receiver.

He is a big kid but he's not Prescott. He can run but he's is not very fast. If we can keep outside contain on him he isn't going to kill us running the football. Just MHO.