UK is in trouble this year, Brooks is still doing a great job but this is the year the cats step back 2 steps before taking three steps forward in the next couple of years. UK's offense is relying on Locke whose speed may never return (he was ran down from behind in a scrimmage a couple of weeks ago), a QB that is either average at best (Hartline), or a true freshman (freshman qb's never work out so well right out of the gate). Cobb will do his part to move the ball but the offense will still struggle consistently to score with no reliable WR's outside of him. The defense is a mess the defense line was suppose to be a strength but has quickly became a huge question/liability heading in to this season. This year just doesn't look good for the cats lack of depth and question marks are just going to be too much to overcome for UK this year and this game will be the start of it.

 

Miami 28

UK 14

I think you are wrong...simple as that.

The least you could do is some real research before you start judging the UK football team.

 

Give the guy a break.

 

I'm not trying to defend his opinion as I completely disagree with it but sometimes if you aren't close to the program or don't have the resources (except ESPN) then I can understand why he said that. If you live in another state I'm sure it could be hard to keep up with what type of team your favorite team is having if they are located elsewhere.

I just call it like I see it a healthy Locke is far and away UK's best rb, I hadn't seen the depth chart so that I didn't know.

 

Hartline was voted 3rd team all SEC at QB and everyone agrees right now that 3-10 in the SEC as far as QB's go is anyone's guess. On paper Hartline could be the third best but that's not saying a lot. UGA and Bama are breaking in career reserves for QB's this year, LSU is starting a true sophomore who uses his legs more than his arm, Auburn's QB's are terrible, so are UT's, South Carolina has been visiting teams secondary's paradise for the last few years, vandy's offense was like 107 in the country last year, and Arkansas is starting a transfer (who is my pick for 3rd best QB in the conference this year when it's all over). The QB situation in the SEC right now is far from settled and this is top to bottom the worst SEC QB's have probably ever been. Still two really good ones at the top but after that it's a huge drop off to number 3.

 

As far as Mathew's goes I don't know much about him so I'll give you the benefit and make it a wait and see approach on him. But many JUCO players turn out to be a bust every year and some turn out to be studs that no one saw coming, you can never tell with JUCO guys.

 

The defense lost Jarmon which everyone agrees was a huge loss. UK has no experience on the DE position (no DE on the roster has recorded a tackle according to espn.com,) the DT's are relying on JUCO transfers which are never a guarantee. That will put a lot more pressure on their secondary to produce. Chris Lowe who is the SEC blogger on ESPN ranked UK's secondary 10th in the SEC. The only blessing for the defensive line is UK has some good linebackers that could help clog up the middle, but if your linebackers can worry about nothing but the run that again puts more pressure on the secondary.

 

UK's kicking game was terrible last year and they will need significant improvement from them in my opinion to make up for what I see as huge holes in this years team. Anyone remember the almost MTSU disaster?

 

AND AGAIN I'm not saying UK isn't moving the right direction I really think this year is 2 steps back for 3 steps forward next year, I just don't see it this year.

Can we say "glass half empty"? Geez. Wasn't their special teams rated 4th last year? Quit while you are behind. :sssh:

Give the guy a break.

 

I'm not trying to defend his opinion as I completely disagree with it but sometimes if you aren't close to the program or don't have the resources (except ESPN) then I can understand why he said that. If you live in another state I'm sure it could be hard to keep up with what type of team your favorite team is having if they are located elsewhere.

 

Then why give all of this "in depth" stuff on the roster and back ups and what not? Just say you think they'll lose. It makes you look bad if you give all of this info and it's all wrong.

Then why give all of this "in depth" stuff on the roster and back ups and what not? Just say you think they'll lose. It makes you look bad if you give all of this info and it's all wrong.

I don't mind...he is on my list of people not to pay attention to. :puke:

While the defense isn't going to be as tough as last year's from the get-go, I'd argue that it could be better (barring injuries like Micah's current situation) at the end of the year. Jarmon was a HUGE loss, don't get me wrong, but I like what I hear of DeQuin Evans and think he can do a reasonable job at replacing Jarmon. Also on the D-line you have the experience that Corey Peters brings. Also, Trevard is arguable the best cover corner in all of CFB with a former starter in Paul Warford returning. Not making any predictions on the season as a whole, as this is all "on paper" but I like what I see. You've got talent and experience at all levels.

Then why give all of this "in depth" stuff on the roster and back ups and what not? Just say you think they'll lose. It makes you look bad if you give all of this info and it's all wrong.

 

I missed a couple of people's order on the depth chart and it's all wrong? seriously? 90% of what I said is still accurate. Just because I don't drink the big blue kool-aid doesn't mean I don't know a little bit.

 

I also do live out of state, and everyone I had talked to about UK football was singing and praising about these two 4 star QB recruits coming in as the QB's that would save UK. So I assumed they would produce at least enough to get to number 2 on the depth chart. Even what I had read on my passing home visit Brooks seemed to be expecting a lot of the freshman QB's. So sorry I didn't know Fidler was number 2. As far as the DT's go I had read about it on espn days before I wrote that so I'm sorry I didn't know that either. Other than that I still believe UK is hanging their hats on a lot of JUCO's and that is dangerous no matter who you are!

I missed a couple of people's order on the depth chart and it's all wrong? seriously? 90% of what I said is still accurate. Just because I don't drink the big blue kool-aid doesn't mean I don't know a little bit.

 

I also do live out of state, and everyone I had talked to about UK football was singing and praising about these two 4 star QB recruits coming in as the QB's that would save UK. So I assumed they would produce at least enough to get to number 2 on the depth chart. Even what I had read on my passing home visit Brooks seemed to be expecting a lot of the freshman QB's. So sorry I didn't know Fidler was number 2. As far as the DT's go I had read about it on espn days before I wrote that so I'm sorry I didn't know that either. Other than that I still believe UK is hanging their hats on a lot of JUCO's and that is dangerous no matter who you are!

 

Evans and Matthews is the only JUCO's that have a chance to produce...:confused:

I certainly understand that thought, but I think you will see a completely transformed Mike Hartline this season. Andre Woodson did the same thing from his sophomore to junior year. Im not saying Hartline will be as good as Dre, but I will say that he will be a very very capable quarterback and will lead this team very well.

 

Maybe, I'm a UF fan, and don't particularly like UK football, but I watched enough of them last year and I think Cobb or Newton should have gotten the nod. I saw a lot out of Cobb I liked last season, I thought he had the potential to be the best Quarterback in the SEC by his Junior or Senior season. I'm not sold on Mike, but that's why they play the game.

Evans and Matthews is the only JUCO's that have a chance to produce...:confused:

 

and they are hanging a lot on those too. Especially Matthews on Offense.

But many JUCO players turn out to be a bust every year and some turn out to be studs that no one saw coming, you can never tell with JUCO guys.

 

Terrence Cody, TJ Houshmanzadeh, Colt Brennan, Chad Johnson, Steve Smith-Utah-LaGarrette Blount, Steve Johnson, Jimmy Williams-Virginia Tech-, Will Poole, David Irons, Reggie Nelson, LaVelle Hawkins, Jasper Brinkley, Omar Haughabook, Darius Passmore, and Matt Asiata have all either done well in FBS or are doing well right now.

Terrence Cody, TJ Houshmanzadeh, Colt Brennan, Chad Johnson, Steve Smith-Utah-LaGarrette Blount, Steve Johnson, Jimmy Williams-Virginia Tech-, Will Poole, David Irons, Reggie Nelson, LaVelle Hawkins, Jasper Brinkley, Omar Haughabook, Darius Passmore, and Matt Asiata have all either done well in FBS or are doing well right now.

 

I said many of them can be successful but more times than not they don't pan out. There are several example of ones that do well but you can make a list of huge busts every year in juco transfers.

I said many of them can be successful but more times than not they don't pan out. There are several example of ones that do well but you can make a list of huge busts every year in juco transfers.

 

Those were guys I had off the top of my head, give me some time and I'm sure I'll get you a nice list. I'll PM it to you though.

Hartline's numbers were very similar to Woodson's their Sophomore year. Hopefully, his numbers might be close to Andre's as a Junior. I doubt they will, but, Mike's production will be better because his receivers are a year older and better. He does not have the greatest of arm strength, but, he does everything else well. I put faith in this coaching staff because I have been around them and they do know what they are doing. That being said, Go Big Blue!!!!!

UK will win...by how much depends on how much Hartline has improved.