If UK loses to UofL...

[BigVMan23]

...in the same manner they have lost most of their games in this losing streak, lets say something like 38-10, and don't look very competitive, then has UK accomplished what they needed to this year?

 

Ok, at the outset of the season, 5 wins was going to be considered a success, with many people thinking they probably wouldn't do that. Well, they did it, and did it fairly early in the schedule. Since then, except for a close game to Miss State, they have looked pretty bad. I would dare say they have looked Joker-esq in his last season. They seem to have regressed. And quite frankly I don't see them beating UofL they way the two teams are playing.

 

So, even with 5 wins which is more than many people predicted, is that minimized by their play the past 5-6 weeks? Does this team have an identity, and if so what is it?

[Wireman]

...in the same manner they have lost most of their games in this losing streak, lets say something like 38-10, and don't look very competitive, then has UK accomplished what they needed to this year?

Ok, at the outset of the season, 5 wins was going to be considered a success, with many people thinking they probably wouldn't do that. Well, they did it, and did it fairly early in the schedule. Since then, except for a close game to Miss State, they have looked pretty bad. I would dare say they have looked Joker-esq in his last season. They seem to have regressed. And quite frankly I don't see them beating UofL they way the two teams are playing.

 

So, even with 5 wins which is more than many people predicted, is that minimized by their play the past 5-6 weeks? Does this team have an identity, and if so what is it?

 

Absolutely not. It will be a fail.

[Toothpick]

If UK beats U of L can we expect Stoops to get another contract extension is what I am wondering. Geez they jumped the gun. I think they have done a little more than I expected but it sure doesn't feel that way given it was all on the front end of the schedule

[ColonelCrazy]

If you told me before the season that Kentucky would get 5 wins, including a win over South Carolina, I would have said "I'll take it."

 

Their 5 wins came early, though, so expectations increased. I'm not upset that they've lost a few in a row, but the manner in which they've lost has been frustrating.

 

With that said, I keep resorting to my pre-season thoughts: 5 wins is progress.

[JDEaston]

Yes, it would be a success. They won the games they should and also picked up a win against South Carolina. in the previous two seasons they couldn't even win the games they should, much less pick up a couple of SEC wins.

[Irish Cat]

The main thing that UK needs to do this year was continue to accumulate talent and get young players onto the field to gain experience. With experience and having depth provided by capable backups, they will continue to take steps forward. Wins would be nice, but they can move the program into a better position than it was without wins. 2 SEC wins this year is as many as they had in the previous 3 years combined. It won't change overnight, but as long as recruiting continues they way it has been going, and these young players get some on the field experince, I have no doubts that they program will continue to improve.

[75center]

If you told me before the season that Kentucky would get 5 wins, including a win over South Carolina, I would have said "I'll take it."

 

Their 5 wins came early, though, so expectations increased. I'm not upset that they've lost a few in a row, but the manner in which they've lost has been frustrating.

 

With that said, I keep resorting to my pre-season thoughts: 5 wins is progress.

 

This.

[John Anthony]

Progress is being made but I don't think people realize how much change is needed. They beat a so so South Carolina team and everyone thought they were gonna advance to the SEC title game. The fans set themselves up for a let down, this is still a complete makeover project. Next year they prob beat SC or Florida and maybe 1 more SEC team and build from there.

[NKY Bandit]

A loss to Louisville only tells me that this team isn't quite ready to content in the crazy tough SEC. They are getting closer but depth continues to be a weakness that can only be addressed by time and more/better recruiting. The addition of Damien Harris would go a long way to add validity to the program and attract more talented kids. I'm afraid some guys (not Harris) are choosing UK because of immediate playing time and not being willing to wait 3 years to get snaps. The next step in the progression is the hardest of all- finding talented guys and convincing them they may have to sit a year or two.

[hidinout]

Dont mind losing in football, pretty much used to it ... but not being motivated and not playing hard and appearing generally CLUELESS on both sides of the ball and special teams is more than I can stomach.

[Jumper_Dad]

What the last few games have shown is that there is still a pretty big talent gap between UK and the rest of the SEC. With some breaks UK can play with 2/3rds of the league, without some breaks they struggle.

 

I find it hard to judge an entire season before it is over, but to answer the question posed, it depends on how they play. I would have taken 5 wins prior to the season and been happy with that this season. The loss at Mizzou unfortunately was a sign of things to come. D couldn't get stops in a physical game and O couldn't maintain drives, either big play to move the ball or punt.

[swamprat]

UK is suffering from lack of depth, now. Nothing more. That"s why they are losing the way they are. They"re worn out. Especially on the defensive side of the ball. I'm still impressed with what Stoops has done. I can't wait for next year.

[hidinout]

The excuse wagon is rolling hard on this thread . You don't get throttled the way they have , by being tired. In the first Q you are not tired ! Not to the extent to explain the total:poop: that we have witnessed the past 3-4 weeks . I'm all for stoops , all for giving him another year , but next season we sink to the levels we have the past 2 weeks I'll be all for rolling the dice with someone else -- this team has flat out quit the past two weeks and was maddening to attempt to watch at Missouri . All that isn't bring tired .

[PurplePride92]

I'm torn on the issue. I understand and get the problem with depth. At the same time this team seems to have packed it in on the season. I'll be shocked if they beat UL and I'll be shocked if they don't get blown out. At the same time, they have made progress this season and I expect them to be better next season.

 

I'll also add that when the season began if you had told me UK would have 5 wins, a victory over South Carolina and still a chance to be bowl eligible heading into the UL I'd have said you were nuts. They did make progress this year despite the way they are playing now.

[JDEaston]

The excuse wagon is rolling hard on this thread . You don't get throttled the way they have ' date=' by being tired. In the first Q you are not tired ! Not to the extent to explain the total:poop: that we have witnessed the past 3-4 weeks . I'm all for stoops , all for giving him another year , but next season we sink to the levels we have the past 2 weeks I'll be all for rolling the dice with someone else -- this team has flat out quit the past two weeks and was maddening to attempt to watch at Missouri . All that isn't bring tired .[/quote']

 

So your willing to toss a couch out the door without having a chance. That's the problem with Kentucky football as much as anything else. How do you expect to build a program that quick when its been in the gutter for years? It takes years of recruiting to overcome the obstacles Stoops has faced. Yet half of the so called fans are willing to boycot the program if they can't contend within a couple of years.