Great article on Spurrier in the Courier Journal today that addresses this issue. Did SPurrier make Florida or did Florida make Spurrier. Bozik seams to think Florida made Spurrier. People on here don't think Joker is the answer, well Spurrier when he went to the Redskins was considered one of the best in college football. He already had connections in Florida and he's sure not burning up the recruiting scene. UK is the northern most school in the SEC that also has an impact on recruiting. UK's brought in big names before and they faired much worse than Brooks.

Interesting and well written post. I've read all of the replies and I guess my initial answer overall is, who in the world knows how we take that next step. I'm always afraid our "next coach" isn't the right one. I don't have a ton of faith in Joker right now, I hope i'm wrong though. I will say that I do agree with our non-conference scheduling practices. I think until/if we get to a level where we consistently win 4 conf games, we have to have some built in W's. 6-6 with 2 conf. wins will always be better than 4-8. I can't help it, that is the way I feel. Kentucky as a whole doesn't play high quality HS football and that will always pose a problem. I don't know to take the next step, but i've enjoyed reading "mostly" rational posts for once.

 

I'll be in Columbia Saturday hoping to break one of the streaks that has negatively affected my adult life though! Go CATS!

OH, and by the way...I think Brooks has done a GREAT job! I'm not sure anyone can get us past this point though.

OH, and by the way...I think Brooks has done a GREAT job! I'm not sure anyone can get us past this point though.

 

I agree.

Not trying to get anyone to "admit" anything. My only motive is to pick people's brains here.

 

Good info above. I'll ask this: Do you think Newton and Mossakowski came to UK under the impression they'd get a much quicker oppo at playing time than they would at a football factory -- as in, now? Is playing Hartline now increasing the likelihood one or both will seek a transfer?

 

I don't really know why they came to UK. My guess is that it's a combination of Joker's recruiting ability, UK's recent success, playing in the SEC, and the opportunity to play early.

 

As for the second question, I don't think either guy will transfer or consider it this early. I think both probably realize that competing as a true freshman QB in the SEC would be a huge task, especially with UK's lack of playmakers outside of Cobb at WR and a shaky offensive line.

 

But, I do believe those guys will be expecting to play next year. If they don't, and have to sit behind Hartline again, there could be some trouble.

 

JMO

One thing I've learned watching USF go from nothing to where they are now, is the necessity of depth. Especially in the offensive and defensive lines. The O-Line made the difference between the QB Brian Brohm in 2006 and the Brohm of 2007. That's huge advantage that the big boys have. Depth is everything.

 

Speaking of Florida, those Smith and Petrino teams at UofL were built upon a base of Florida talent. Maybe not the QB, but the other skilled positions and especially the defense. More than 50% of the 06 Orange Bowl team had kids on it that called some city in Florida home. Petrino recruited Florida as well as any out of state coach ever has. There is no reason why Brooks or Phillips can't do this, too.

 

That's the glaring weakness at UK. We just don't have the depth up front. Even when the Cats have a strong starting unit, the drop to the second string is often significant. That's a big disadvantage in SEC play...aside from injuries that always happen, in any single game, our defensive line isn't as fresh late in games because we can't afford to rest them like other SEC schools can.

 

The loss of Jarmon is a good example. UK had nobody even remotely close to replacing him. That doesn't at other SEC schools. Losing him was a huge blow to the front four and the defense. He was no worse than the third best defensive player on the team.

 

Just gotta keep winning and keep recruiting and hope we can get there.

I don't really know why they came to UK. My guess is that it's a combination of Joker's recruiting ability, UK's recent success, playing in the SEC, and the opportunity to play early.

 

As for the second question, I don't think either guy will transfer or consider it this early. I think both probably realize that competing as a true freshman QB in the SEC would be a huge task, especially with UK's lack of playmakers outside of Cobb at WR and a shaky offensive line.

 

But, I do believe those guys will be expecting to play next year. If they don't, and have to sit behind Hartline again, there could be some trouble.

 

JMO

 

That seems to be putting a lot of faith in highly-touted 18- and 19-year-olds to rationally and objectively look at the big picture. They deserve a lot of credit for their maturity if it indeed does pan out that way. Still, though, I can't imagine at least one of them not transferring (maybe not after this year, but surely after next), since one necessarily will win the job at the other guy's expense.

That's the glaring weakness at UK. We just don't have the depth up front. Even when the Cats have a strong starting unit, the drop to the second string is often significant. That's a big disadvantage in SEC play...aside from injuries that always happen, in any single game, our defensive line isn't as fresh late in games because we can't afford to rest them like other SEC schools can.

 

The loss of Jarmon is a good example. UK had nobody even remotely close to replacing him. That doesn't at other SEC schools. Losing him was a huge blow to the front four and the defense. He was no worse than the third best defensive player on the team.

 

Just gotta keep winning and keep recruiting and hope we can get there.

 

Those are good points 5wide. So has the Juco Mark Crawford played much at DT? I remember hearing about how much he was going to help.

I'm trying to keep this thread civil. Do you really want me to go look up the list of lowlights that "streak" has come at the expense of?

 

Be my guest.

I'm trying to keep this thread civil. Do you really want me to go look up the list of lowlights that "streak" has come at the expense of?

 

Texas State

Central Michigan

Louisiana Monroe

Clemson

Eastern Kentucky

Kent State

Louisville x3

Florida Atlantic

Florida State

Norfolk State

Middle Tennessee

Western Kentucky

East Carolina

Miami (Ohio)

 

16 straight is what I get. Three bowl wins and the win against Louisville 3 seasons ago. The rest are all games UK was expected to win.

 

But, that's part of the formula for building success at UK. You can't go out and play a brutal non-conference schedule on top of the conference and expect to make it to a bowl game.

 

And, FWIW, all of us UK fans aren't settling for the status quo. We just realize that building the program doesn't happen overnight. It is a process that takes time, and it will involve some ups and downs. They had a great run with Woodson that helped with recruiting, IMO. Now, they're struggling with Hartline, but the fact that they won a bowl game with him last year and have a chance to it that again is proof enough that the talent at UK is much better than previous years. Prior to Brooks tenure, four wins would have been a great season if we had a QB like Hartline with an offense like we have. And, the good news is UK has two solid QB prospects waiting to step up.

 

They just have to keep plugging along, winning games, winning bowl games, recruiting the best players they can get and then developing them once they get on campus.

 

There are two keys...1) identifying the 3-star prospects who are better than their rating and 2) developing the guys they do get and making them better.

 

If UK does those things, they'll keep getting better. It's not likely they'll ever reach the level of perennial favorite like Florida, but they can reach a level where they can consistently compete with those schools, and possibly win big on an up year when things break right for them.

 

The problem is, that doesn't happen in 3, 4 or 5 years at a school like UK in a conference like the SEC, and most people can't accept that. They want to transform into Florida overnight and apparently they believe that is possible.:idunno:

That seems to be putting a lot of faith in highly-touted 18- and 19-year-olds to rationally and objectively look at the big picture. They deserve a lot of credit for their maturity if it indeed does pan out that way. Still, though, I can't imagine at least one of them not transferring (maybe not after this year, but surely after next), since one necessarily will win the job at the other guy's expense.

 

Once again, Mossakowski had shoulder surgery within the past year. I'm sure he'd love to play this season, but he understands that it's just not an option. Him being redshirted is really the only option he has.

 

I'm sure Newton is a bit disappointed, but as I alluded to earlier, he and his father are intelligent people who have been great ambassadors for the University in their short time in Lexington. I'd imagine he's upset because he's athletic enough to contribute somewhere else on the field, but he knows his time will come.

 

 

Texas State

Central Michigan

Louisiana Monroe

Clemson

Eastern Kentucky

Kent State

Louisville x3

Florida Atlantic

Florida State

Norfolk State

Middle Tennessee

Western Kentucky

East Carolina

Miami (Ohio)

 

16 straight is what I get. Three bowl wins and the win against Louisville 3 seasons ago. The rest are all games UK was expected to win.

 

But, that's part of the formula for building success at UK. You can't go out and play a brutal non-conference schedule on top of the conference and expect to make it to a bowl game.

 

And, FWIW, all of us UK fans aren't settling for the status quo. We just realize that building the program doesn't happen overnight. It is a process that takes time, and it will involve some ups and downs. They had a great run with Woodson that helped with recruiting, IMO. Now, they're struggling with Hartline, but the fact that they won a bowl game with him last year and have a chance to it that again is proof enough that the talent at UK is much better than previous years. Prior to Brooks tenure, four wins would have been a great season if we had a QB like Hartline with an offense like we have. And, the good news is UK has two solid QB prospects waiting to step up.

 

They just have to keep plugging along, winning games, winning bowl games, recruiting the best players they can get and then developing them once they get on campus.

 

There are two keys...1) identifying the 3-star prospects who are better than their rating and 2) developing the guys they do get and making them better.

 

If UK does those things, they'll keep getting better. It's not likely they'll ever reach the level of perennial favorite like Florida, but they can reach a level where they can consistently compete with those schools, and possibly win big on an up year when things break right for them.

 

The problem is, that doesn't happen in 3, 4 or 5 years at a school like UK in a conference like the SEC, and most people can't accept that. They want to transform into Florida overnight and apparently they believe that is possible.:idunno:

 

Great post, and thanks for looking up the streak of non-conference opponents. I was way off when I said 26...indeed, the streak sits at 16.

 

Clearly, the streak does not consist of world beaters; however, you've got Louisville in there 3 times (which is great), a Clemson team who was preseason top 10, and a Florida State team that is highly respected.

 

Additionally, you've got an East Carolina team who has a lot of raw talent and wound up 2nd in their conference (I think.). Not too shabby.

Great article on Spurrier in the Courier Journal today that addresses this issue. Did SPurrier make Florida or did Florida make Spurrier. Bozik seams to think Florida made Spurrier. People on here don't think Joker is the answer, well Spurrier when he went to the Redskins was considered one of the best in college football. He already had connections in Florida and he's sure not burning up the recruiting scene. UK is the northern most school in the SEC that also has an impact on recruiting. UK's brought in big names before and they faired much worse than Brooks.

 

Why does that seem so easy for others to forget.

 

And, Joker is a great recruiter. And a very good offensive coordinator and play-caller, IMO. I love the pro-style offense they run. He's going to take some criticism right now because he's stuck with Hartline at QB and UK doesn't have the pieces around Hartline to make him look good, but they'll get a guy under center who can make some plays and the offense will turn around. We fans just have to be patient.

 

I also like the fact that Joker will be taking over when Brooks leaves. Nobody knows if it will work out or not, but he's earned the opportunity and it allows UK to maintain some continuity, which is crucial for a program of their stature. Again, they can't absorb change, in any form, like the traditional powers do. Heck, even those schools struggle sometimes with coaching change.

That seems to be putting a lot of faith in highly-touted 18- and 19-year-olds to rationally and objectively look at the big picture. They deserve a lot of credit for their maturity if it indeed does pan out that way. Still, though, I can't imagine at least one of them not transferring (maybe not after this year, but surely after next), since one necessarily will win the job at the other guy's expense.

 

Well, look at it this way Jim...they've already sat out one year. They've learned the offense, worked with the team, they're comfortable at UK and with the system. And, they're going to be competing with Michael Hartline. Why would they transfer? If they leave, they'll have to learn a new system, and compete against somebody else who has a head start on them...and they'll likely have to sit out another year.

 

It would make no sense for either of them to leave at this point, IMO. Why would you want to start over somewhere else and sit out another year, when you have a great opportunity to start as a redshirt freshman at UK? And, if they can't beat out Hartline, then they're likely going to be sitting on the bench at any other D-1 school.

Once again, Mossakowski had shoulder surgery within the past year. I'm sure he'd love to play this season, but he understands that it's just not an option. Him being redshirted is really the only option he has.

 

I'm sure Newton is a bit disappointed, but as I alluded to earlier, he and his father are intelligent people who have been great ambassadors for the University in their short time in Lexington. I'd imagine he's upset because he's athletic enough to contribute somewhere else on the field, but he knows his time will come.

 

 

 

 

Great post, and thanks for looking up the streak of non-conference opponents. I was way off when I said 26...indeed, the streak sits at 16.

 

Clearly, the streak does not consist of world beaters; however, you've got Louisville in there 3 times (which is great), a Clemson team who was preseason top 10, and a Florida State team that is highly respected.

 

Additionally, you've got an East Carolina team who has a lot of raw talent and wound up 2nd in their conference (I think.). Not too shabby.

 

East Carolina has produced some pretty good football players, including Chris Johnson. I think Alge Crumpler played there, but I'm not sure.

 

Any bowl win is a good win, IMO. ECU isn't as impressive on the resume as Clemson or FSU, but I'll take it. Especially in an offensively challenged year like last year.

The problem has, and IMO, will continue to be the lack of in state talent compared to other states. Ask Spurrier, there is no doubt that he can coach, but his success at S.C. has been pretty moderate. Just not enough in state talent.