I think Towles has shown the ceiling of what he can do. I think if it's really an open competition that Barker will beat him out. If he can't, than I think Kentucky football is in a lot worse shape than most think. JMO.

 

I don't. IMO, he's still learning the position. 3 different OCs now??? A sketchy SEC level Oline??? There too much turmoil there to say that either player has maxed their potential. It would be nice to see how they perform w/ some stability. Then we would get a fair read. This season is going to be just like last one. Feeling out the new offense, playing the best defenses in the country once the season starts.

He regressed after the Mizzou loss b/c he had about 1 sec to release the ball. It didn't get better as the season went on. No QB would have had a good season last year for UK. Their line regressed, their defense regressed, they just played bad. The lack of effort from the team makes me suspicious of what kind of impact Stoops is really having.

 

good point. They had a walk on freshmen starting on the o-line correct? though he did a fantastic job and will continue to improve.. still a walk on in SEC..

Morning, do you think it's decided before the season or 1-3 games in?

 

Hard to say, but I think they want to see a decent sample size from Barker with live game action. You can only get so much on your barometer from practice conditions where the QB doesn't get touched. I huge part of Barker's game cannot be simulated in practice conditions. His off season training and work with Tom House will pay big dividends as well.

He regressed after the Mizzou loss b/c he had about 1 sec to release the ball. It didn't get better as the season went on. No QB would have had a good season last year for UK. Their line regressed, their defense regressed, they just played bad. The lack of effort from the team makes me suspicious of what kind of impact Stoops is really having.

 

I would not call it a lack of effort but more like the schedule got significantly tougher when the top SEC schools were the opponent. The talent pool is getting better, but there is still a ways to go to be competitive week in and week out in the SEC.

Halfway through last season a lot of people thought Towles was the best QB in the SEC East. The whole team really struggled the second half of the year, but I feel like that had a lot more to do with lack of depth than with the QB.

I think Towles has a chance to have a really good year. Unless Barker clearly surpasses him before the season, I think Towles should be the guy.

I would not call it a lack of effort but more like the schedule got significantly tougher when the top SEC schools were the opponent. The talent pool is getting better, but there is still a ways to go to be competitive week in and week out in the SEC.

 

I agree that they played infinitely better teams to finish the season. By lack of effort, I'm talking about 2 players getting to the ball carrier, things like that.

I am with Towels as most probably know. I think it would almost be impossible for Barker to win 6 games this year.

 

Based on?

Based on?

 

I just think it would he miraculously for a rookie to do that for UK.

I'm just always of the belief that the guy who performs the best in practice (and games) plays. If Towles has been as bad as some would lead us to believe, what does that say about Barker?

 

It seems most thing Towles should be the starter because of experience and playing a full season against SEC teams. So if Barker is this close to possibly having Stoops start him over a guy with the experience, then what does that say about Barker. Seems to me if Barker had made it a tough decision that it is saying something positive about his play if he may beat out a guy with a full year experience and 4th year in college football.

You mean a pellet gun slinger feel? :lol2: Towles without question.. Maturity comes into play also

 

If maturity comes into play then Johnny football never wins the starting job his redshirt freshman season when he was competiting for the spot.

 

And no I am not saying Barker is going to go out to win the Hesiman like Johnny football did. However you play the guy who gives you the best chance to win. If Towles is that guy then you go with him, if its Barker then go with him. Many seem to think Towles is just because of experience but at the end of the day you go with who gives you the best chance.

If maturity comes into play then Johnny football never wins the starting job his redshirt freshman season when he was competiting for the spot. And no I am not saying Barker is going to go out to win the Hesiman like Johnny football did. However you play the guy who gives you the best chance to win. If Towles is that guy then you go with him' date=' if its Barker then go with him. Many seem to think Towles is just because of experience but at the end of the day you go with who gives you the best chance.[/quote']

 

Some of stuff on here would make it seem like Barker is the next big thing in college football. For people like me who saw him play, he ain't throwing against Boone County this year.

I just think it would he miraculously for a rookie to do that for UK.

 

Maybe, maybe not. One would think that Towles who is in his 4th year in college, amd a full year starting now would have easily been able to lock up the starting spot by now over someone who as you just said is a rookie. So to me that says two things, that is a negative about Towles play that he hasn't won the job yet. Or if it's not that then its a positive about Barkers play that even though Towles is in his 4th year and starting experience now, Barker still apparently is right with him in the competition. Which makes me believe that there wouldn't be a drastic difference in wins if Barker gets the nod over Towles.

 

However we don't know how Barker would do under the lights until it happens. Which is why I think Towles will get the nod but be on a short leash so they could see what Barker could do.

Im not really convinced Towles regressed over the second half of the season. Did his numbers struggle? Yeah, but compare the first half of the schedule to the second half of the schedule and that is all the explanation needed. Would Barker have done any better last year? It is impossible to tell, but i have my doubts. What Towles did gain over the second half of the year last year was experience against top notch defenses. That alone puts him ahead of Barker at this point.

It seems most thing Towles should be the starter because of experience and playing a full season against SEC teams. So if Barker is this close to possibly having Stoops start him over a guy with the experience, then what does that say about Barker. Seems to me if Barker had made it a tough decision that it is saying something positive about his play if he may beat out a guy with a full year experience and 4th year in college football.

 

Maybe I'm misreading your post but Pat only has 2 years on Drew. He's starting into his 4th year while Drew is starting into his second.

Some of stuff on here would make it seem like Barker is the next big thing in college football. For people like me who saw him play, he ain't throwing against Boone County this year.

 

I saw both him and Towles play in high school as well. Both were very impressive. The fact that Towles hasn't locked it up yet does say something. It's either Towles play is still inconsistent or Barker has stepped up his play to where they have made it tough on the coaches. Because you would have thought Towles would have easily locked it up by now.