I think 6-6 to 8-4 will be their record. I think they will go undefeated non-conference, but their in-conference schedule will be tough.

@ Louisville (W)*

NORFOLK STATE (W)

MIDDLE TENNESSEE (W)

WESTERN KENTUCKY (W)

@ Alabama (W)*

SOUTH CAROLINA (L)*

ARKANSAS (L)

@ Florida (L)

@ Mississippi State (W)*

GEORGIA (L)*

VANDERBILT (W)*

@ Tennessee (L)*

 

7-5 with stars being toss ups.

Just curious, how do you figure?

 

Just my opinion:

 

1. UL's defense was absolutely pororus last year, UK's wasn't much better, but UK returns the vast majority of their defense while UL will be completely green.Major edge UK.

 

2. Offensively, both teams have the same question marks at the skill positions. UL must replace Brohm with Cantwell, Cantwell, though, has at least seen a couple starts,but Cantwell also had top tier receivers to throw to and veteran lines to block for him. Slight edge at QB to UL. UL and UK both should be strong and experienced at RB, but from a production standpoint the trio of Dixon, Locke, and Smith was far more reliable than Powell and Stripling. Slight Edge UK. Both teams are severely depleted at WR. Push to slight edge UL. UL graduated the majority of their O-line, UK's O-line is very experienced and should be one of the teams major strengths. Major advantage UK. Overall Push to slight advantage UK.

 

3. Special teams are pretty even although UK has more experience returning, it is evened out by the shear lack of consistency they showed. Overall Push.

 

4. Coaching... as of right now based on the track record of last season, one would have to go with Brooks who has led his team to back to back bowl victories over Kragthorpe who took a team being billed as a National Title Contender and missed a bowl. Edge UK.

 

Thats why I say going in UK has to be a slight favorite on paper, but Papa John's balances it out.

4 - 8

Just my opinion:

 

1. UL's defense was absolutely pororus last year, UK's wasn't much better, but UK returns the vast majority of their defense while UL will be completely green.Major edge UK.

 

2. Offensively, both teams have the same question marks at the skill positions. UL must replace Brohm with Cantwell, Cantwell, though, has at least seen a couple starts,but Cantwell also had top tier receivers to throw to and veteran lines to block for him. Slight edge at QB to UL. UL and UK both should be strong and experienced at RB, but from a production standpoint the trio of Dixon, Locke, and Smith was far more reliable than Powell and Stripling. Slight Edge UK. Both teams are severely depleted at WR. Push to slight edge UL. UL graduated the majority of their O-line, UK's O-line is very experienced and should be one of the teams major strengths. Major advantage UK. Overall Push to slight advantage UK.

 

3. Special teams are pretty even although UK has more experience returning, it is evened out by the shear lack of consistency they showed. Overall Push.

 

4. Coaching... as of right now based on the track record of last season, one would have to go with Brooks who has led his team to back to back bowl victories over Kragthorpe who took a team being billed as a National Title Contender and missed a bowl. Edge UK.

 

Thats why I say going in UK has to be a slight favorite on paper, but Papa John's balances it out.

 

Stripling is no longer on the team. I'd have to have a UL fan's input on this one but I'd have to think that a healthy Bolen would be a big part of the UL backfield this season. Based on both team's losses I don't think you could call either team a favorite based on what each has returning but I think UL should be at least a touchdown favorite with the game being at UL and I do think the quarterback matchup is a much bigger edge to the Cards than what you are giving it.

Stripling is no longer on the team. I'd have to have a UL fan's input on this one but I'd have to think that a healthy Bolen would be a big part of the UL backfield this season. Based on both team's losses I don't think you could call either team a favorite based on what each has returning but I think UL should be at least a touchdown favorite with the game being at UL and I do think the quarterback matchup is a much bigger edge to the Cards than what you are giving it.

 

You are correct. Brock Bolen will be the starter this year. He is a very reliable and very productive back. And I agree with your QB arguement as well.

4. Coaching... as of right now based on the track record of last season, one would have to go with Brooks who has led his team to back to back bowl victories over Kragthorpe who took a team being billed as a National Title Contender and missed a bowl. Edge UK.

 

As has been stated, coming off UL's worse season in a decade, they were still only 1 game worse than UK. Given a year to get things closer to where he wants them, Krag has more of a grasp on "his" team than he did last year, and thus, a push IMO.

UL, possibly. But I have come to conculsion UK will never beat UT, even if the Vols fielded a 5 man team. UK would find a way to blow the game. I do not think they have beaten them since the Grant administration.

 

Unfortunatly you are correct about UT, unless proven otherwise.

You are correct. Brock Bolen will be the starter this year. He is a very reliable and very productive back. And I agree with your QB arguement as well.

 

 

Thanks, that's what I thought. To me that eliminates any advantage had between the two backfields as well. Bolen had almost as many carries as Locke and more than Smith or Dixon. EKU05 I don't know how you can say that UK's backfield is more reliable than UL's. Locke had a nice year as a change of pace back but has to prove that he can carry the load as a feature back. As for Dixon he missed 2 games due to injuries and was benched during at least 2 more with fumbling problems--hardly reliable. As for Smith he only managed 21 carries in 5 games--again hardly reliable. I'd have to call this matchup at best even but if Bolen stays healthy I'd give the edge to UL here as well.

It's called... Believe in Blue!

 

Part 2!!!!!!!!!!

Of course you can. :thumb:

 

UL will have the worst defense in the Big East this year.

UL will have the worst defense in the Big East this year.

 

Maybe so...Doesn't mean UK will beat them.

I'll break it down like this.

 

I think there are 3 games that UK should definately win: Norfolk State, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky.

 

I think the home field advantage will be enough for them to get wins over both Vanderbilt and Arkansas.

 

I don't think that they can beat Georgia, Florida or Tennessee this season.

 

Barring upsets that would put them at 5-3 with four games that I see as tossups in which either team could win. I think that UK will be slight to moderate underdogs against UL, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Alabama. The overall record will probably hinge on those games. With 3 of them being on the road I don't look for UK to do real well in those games. I'm going to pick UK to end Spurrier's hex, lose the other 3 and end up at 6-6.

I'll break it down like this.

 

I think there are 3 games that UK should definately win: Norfolk State, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky.

 

I think the home field advantage will be enough for them to get wins over both Vanderbilt and Arkansas.

 

I don't think that they can beat Georgia, Florida or Tennessee this season.

 

Barring upsets that would put them at 5-3 with four games that I see as tossups in which either team could win. I think that UK will be slight to moderate underdogs against UL, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Alabama. The overall record will probably hinge on those games. With 3 of them being on the road I don't look for UK to do real well in those games. I'm going to pick UK to end Spurrier's hex, lose the other 3 and end up at 6-6.

 

Very solid analysis. :thumb:

6-6 Music City Bowl