Where are all the Louisville Cards posters that love getting on this site to bash the 'CATS? I think one said that UK was "wallowing" in the depths of the SEC! Oh contrare... our heads are up above the depths of SEC darkness The Blue is going to beat the Vols next week!

 

And speaking of wallowing... what did the 'Cards do yesterday with UCONN?

THEY LOST!:clap:

 

Ok I will be that person. People yeah this was a great great great win for the program. But if we end up losing to UT, then we finish SEC play with only 3 wins in the conference in a year that honestly the SEC is sorta down compared to past years overall. I am sorry but this is not something to get to excited about and say we are getting over the hump. This year more teams have just come down to us, than us coming up to them. How many wins did we have in conference in Woodson's senior year? Was it still just three or did we get to four? So is this program still really getting better, or is staying at the same level ground we been at for the last 4 years now? I mean this is a serious question I want my fellow UK fans to think about. Are we really getting better, or did we benefit from the SEC coming down to us some this year. I know I have said this before and I will say it again, and I am ready for all these comments to bash me. However I really do believe this program has reached its peak under Brooks. I see a team that has basically stayed at the same level for the last 3 or 4 years, and I see a team that probably will just stay at this same level with him. So if people are happy with the 3 or 4 wins max in the SEC then fine. However if you want to see even more for this program, then I think this program would be better off going in a different direction than what we are once Brooks does retire. Because I am not saying firing him, this guy can stay here as long as he wants for the work that he has done here, which has been amazing. However if we truly want to see this program take that next step, then we should want the program to go outside and find a different coach once he retires rather than Joker, or else we probably well just stay at this same level IMO.

Ok I will be that person. People yeah this was a great great great win for the program. But if we end up losing to UT, then we finish SEC play with only 3 wins in the conference in a year that honestly the SEC is sorta down compared to past years overall. I am sorry but this is not something to get to excited about and say we are getting over the hump. This year more teams have just come down to us, than us coming up to them. How many wins did we have in conference in Woodson's senior year? Was it still just three or did we get to four? So is this program still really getting better, or is staying at the same level ground we been at for the last 4 years now? I mean this is a serious question I want my fellow UK fans to think about. Are we really getting better, or did we benefit from the SEC coming down to us some this year. I know I have said this before and I will say it again, and I am ready for all these comments to bash me. However I really do believe this program has reached its peak under Brooks. I see a team that has basically stayed at the same level for the last 3 or 4 years, and I see a team that probably will just stay at this same level with him. So if people are happy with the 3 or 4 wins max in the SEC then fine. However if you want to see even more for this program, then I think this program would be better off going in a different direction than what we are once Brooks does retire. Because I am not saying firing him, this guy can stay here as long as he wants for the work that he has done here, which has been amazing. However if we truly want to see this program take that next step, then we should want the program to go outside and find a different coach once he retires rather than Joker, or else we probably well just stay at this same level IMO.

The announcers made a great point last night. Especially about Cobb and Locke. The UK recruiting staff is remarkable at finding gems here and there, and Phillips and Brown have been impressive in what they get out of the talent they receive.

 

Who are you going to find that could recruit better than those recruiting at UK now?

Where are all the Louisville Cards posters that love getting on this site to bash the 'CATS? I think one said that UK was "wallowing" in the depths of the SEC! Oh contrare... our heads are up above the depths of SEC darkness The Blue is going to beat the Vols next week!

 

And speaking of wallowing... what did the 'Cards do yesterday with UCONN?

THEY LOST!:clap:

I think the locker rooms at RayJay have flat screens, so the Cards probably watched UCONN beat Notre Dame. :sssh:

 

They did lose, though.

The announcers made a great point last night. Especially about Cobb and Locke. The UK recruiting staff is remarkable at finding gems here and there, and Phillips and Brown have been impressive in what they get out of the talent they receive.

 

Who are you going to find that could recruit better than those recruiting at UK now?

 

My next question is, I guess people think that this is the best the UK football program can do in the SEC is just about 3 wins a season? Maybe I am in the minority then in thinking that UK could do even better than that. Coach Brooks and staff have done a great job to getting this program to where it is now from what he had when he took over. However I just don't see us really still going up, I see us as a program that has reached its highest level under these coaches and will be about the same every year with them. I just think this program has a chance to be even more.

 

You could look at two different programs around this year. UL awhile ago had John L. Smith I think it was who did a good job turning that program around, but it took the next coach to get it really to the next level in Petrino. I don't think they would have done that with Smith. Look at UC Danotoni (sp.) did a very good job at getting that UC program back up. However it took Bruce Kelly to get UC over that next big step and to the next level. Do you think they would have with Danotoni? I don't think they would be where they are now if he was still coach, even though he was the guy who got that program going again. A coach could be a good coach at getting a program back to respectibility, however sometimes a program needs something else to get the program to the next level. I think UK could make that next step, if they did maybe look elsewhere once Brooks retires. Or at least leave the door open and look around instead of just giving it to Joker. If he was the best candidate for it, after interviews then fine. However if there is someone else that could possibly change things even more and get us over that next step in the SEC. Then I think they should at least try it.

My next question is, I guess people think that this is the best the UK football program can do in the SEC is just about 3 wins a season? Maybe I am in the minority then in thinking that UK could do even better than that. Coach Brooks and staff have done a great job to getting this program to where it is now from what he had when he took over. However I just don't see us really still going up, I see us as a program that has reached its highest level under these coaches and will be about the same every year with them. I just think this program has a chance to be even more.

 

You could look at two different programs around this year. UL awhile ago had John L. Smith I think it was who did a good job turning that program around, but it took the next coach to get it really to the next level in Petrino. I don't think they would have done that with Smith. Look at UC Danotoni (sp.) did a very good job at getting that UC program back up. However it took Bruce Kelly to get UC over that next big step and to the next level. Do you think they would have with Danotoni? I don't think they would be where they are now if he was still coach, even though he was the guy who got that program going again. A coach could be a good coach at getting a program back to respectibility, however sometimes a program needs something else to get the program to the next level. I think UK could make that next step, if they did maybe look elsewhere once Brooks retires. Or at least leave the door open and look around instead of just giving it to Joker. If he was the best candidate for it, after interviews then fine. However if there is someone else that could possibly change things even more and get us over that next step in the SEC. Then I think they should at least try it.

 

I am not going to bash anyone who supports the UK program. Heck, I am inclined to agree with you that Joker may not be the best fit to take the program to the level where Florida and 'Bama are now. For most of the game last evening, I was questioning his play calling, and not inserting Fidler to shake things up...

 

For now, I will take the win over Georgia and UK preparing for a win this week over UT. An 8 - 4 regular season is certainly a step in the right direction and I think that will help the team morale and help with the reruiting efforts. Baby steps...

I think the locker rooms at RayJay have flat screens, so the Cards probably watched UCONN beat Notre Dame. :sssh:

 

They did lose, though.

 

My bad... South Florida beat the cards. Although, Nortre Dame and UConn could beat them too!

My next question is, I guess people think that this is the best the UK football program can do in the SEC is just about 3 wins a season? Maybe I am in the minority then in thinking that UK could do even better than that. Coach Brooks and staff have done a great job to getting this program to where it is now from what he had when he took over. However I just don't see us really still going up, I see us as a program that has reached its highest level under these coaches and will be about the same every year with them. I just think this program has a chance to be even more.

 

You could look at two different programs around this year. UL awhile ago had John L. Smith I think it was who did a good job turning that program around, but it took the next coach to get it really to the next level in Petrino. I don't think they would have done that with Smith. Look at UC Danotoni (sp.) did a very good job at getting that UC program back up. However it took Bruce Kelly to get UC over that next big step and to the next level. Do you think they would have with Danotoni? I don't think they would be where they are now if he was still coach, even though he was the guy who got that program going again. A coach could be a good coach at getting a program back to respectibility, however sometimes a program needs something else to get the program to the next level. I think UK could make that next step, if they did maybe look elsewhere once Brooks retires. Or at least leave the door open and look around instead of just giving it to Joker. If he was the best candidate for it, after interviews then fine. However if there is someone else that could possibly change things even more and get us over that next step in the SEC. Then I think they should at least try it.

In both of your examples, the coaching staffs were not fired, they left for greener pastures. In fact they left for the same job. Smith left Louisville for and was replaced by Dantonio at Michigan State. Nobody at either program said, "Lets find a new coach to take us to the next level." Give me a real example of that.

 

Under Brooks, Kentucky has become competitive in the SEC on a consistent basis. Yes it's 3 or 4 wins the past few seasons, but these recent wins over Georgia and Auburn, the upset of LSU in 07, and bowl wins over Clemson and FSU attract the attention of recruits. We don't draft players, we recruit them, so they have to want to come here. You can't fix a football team in one year like you can a basketball team. UK doesn't have the history and recruiting base like Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, etc., to do that. Not right now anyway. I don't want a flash in the pan conference title, then have the coach leave and UK fad back into oblivion.

 

Because of where UK started this resurgence, there will be an eb and flow to it's growth. They will come to a point, plateau, take a step back and surge forward. Last year was the step back, and I believe this year is beginning of the next surge forward to the next level. The Cats have been at or near the bottom of the conference for so long, it will take time to create a solid recruiting base to challenge for conference championships year in and year out. That time may be the next surge or the one that follows that. Could be 5 more years off. I'm willing to wait. I only hope Brooks can hang around long enough to complete the process before turning over to Joker.

 

BTW. I'm enjoying the journey.

In both of your examples, the coaching staffs were not fired, they left for greener pastures. In fact they left for the same job. Smith left Louisville for and was replaced by Dantonio at Michigan State. Nobody at either program said, "Lets find a new coach to take us to the next level." Give me a real example of that.

 

Under Brooks, Kentucky has become competitive in the SEC on a consistent basis. Yes it's 3 or 4 wins the past few seasons, but these recent wins over Georgia and Auburn, the upset of LSU in 07, and bowl wins over Clemson and FSU attract the attention of recruits. We don't draft players, we recruit them, so they have to want to come here. You can't fix a football team in one year like you can a basketball team. UK doesn't have the history and recruiting base like Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, etc., to do that. Not right now anyway. I don't want a flash in the pan conference title, then have the coach leave and UK fad back into oblivion.

 

Because of where UK started this resurgence, there will be an eb and flow to it's growth. They will come to a point, plateau, take a step back and surge forward. Last year was the step back, and I believe this year is beginning of the next surge forward to the next level. The Cats have been at or near the bottom of the conference for so long, it will take time to create a solid recruiting base to challenge for conference championships year in and year out. That time may be the next surge or the one that follows that. Could be 5 more years off. I'm willing to wait. I only hope Brooks can hang around long enough to complete the process before turning over to Joker.

 

BTW. I'm enjoying the journey.

 

 

:thumb::thumb::clap::clap: Excellent post Rat.

Was able to attend the game between the hedges. GREAT atmosphere and GREAT win for the cats!

Ok, Ok, I'm sorry for the joke about the dead dog. Actually my favorite breed of dog is the English Bulldog. However, the memorial service they showed was a bit over the top.

 

.

 

Not to the Georgia people, the UGA's are family down there and are thought more highly of than alot of people.

I have to be honest in that with some people I have ran across though he years I can understand. Kind of like the old saying that goes something like......"the more people I meet, the more I like my dog".

In both of your examples, the coaching staffs were not fired, they left for greener pastures. In fact they left for the same job. Smith left Louisville for and was replaced by Dantonio at Michigan State. Nobody at either program said, "Lets find a new coach to take us to the next level." Give me a real example of that.

 

Under Brooks, Kentucky has become competitive in the SEC on a consistent basis. Yes it's 3 or 4 wins the past few seasons, but these recent wins over Georgia and Auburn, the upset of LSU in 07, and bowl wins over Clemson and FSU attract the attention of recruits. We don't draft players, we recruit them, so they have to want to come here. You can't fix a football team in one year like you can a basketball team. UK doesn't have the history and recruiting base like Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, etc., to do that. Not right now anyway. I don't want a flash in the pan conference title, then have the coach leave and UK fad back into oblivion.

 

Because of where UK started this resurgence, there will be an eb and flow to it's growth. They will come to a point, plateau, take a step back and surge forward. Last year was the step back, and I believe this year is beginning of the next surge forward to the next level. The Cats have been at or near the bottom of the conference for so long, it will take time to create a solid recruiting base to challenge for conference championships year in and year out. That time may be the next surge or the one that follows that. Could be 5 more years off. I'm willing to wait. I only hope Brooks can hang around long enough to complete the process before turning over to Joker.

 

BTW. I'm enjoying the journey.

 

If you look no where have I said should they fire Brooks. I have even said he should be able to stay as long as he wants. My problem is how we already have handed the job to Joker when he fires. I mean when Brooks does decide to retire, it is basically the same thing as those two guys leaving their programs on their own. So my examples for this was right on.

 

You basically answered my question in that fans I guess are just happy and settling for 3 or 4 win SEC seasons. You mention wins over Georgia, however what is one thing both of our wins over Georgia have in common? Both came in years that Georgia was down. So is it us coming up to them, or them just coming down to us? I think that is them coming down to us. The SEC overall this year is down compared to past years, and yet we still might only win 3 games in the SEC if we don't win this week. So is that production, or just still staying at this same level we been at? I mean how we are doing now compared, to what we were before 4 years ago is amazing. However seems like people have just settled for this. There is no reason why this program can't make that next step, and I don't see that next step coming if we just keep things as are then have Joker as coach.

 

You say that it takes years to be able to build a program and stay there. However in those two examples that I stated, UC and UL both were able to put top 10 teams together pretty quickly after they took over for the guys who left. Guys who probably honestly wouldn't have gotten them to that level. I mean they were able to make their programs into top programs, and if Petrino was still at UL they probably still are right now. I know you will say well they are not in the SEC which is true. However the team they have put together especially in UC would do very well in the SEC, and better than are UK team right. If UC was in the SEC they at worst probably would be the third best team, but IMO they would have had a very good shot to win the SEC this year if they were in it. I mean they were able to put a program together that is better than UK's right now, and would do better than us in the SEC. The whole argument about us being in the SEC for why it is so hard, is not a good argument. You could put together very good teams still just like UC did and UL did with Petrino. It took a different coach to get them to that next level, and I think the same could happen to UK if we don't tie ourselves to naming Joker coach. Go out and get the best guy available for the job, and might just find yourself a treasure. Also if a guy does well here at UK and has us contending for an SEC Championship, then I don't think we would have to really worry as much about losing the coach like they did. Because since we are in the SEC, and if the coach is doing well then he would have a good shot for the Title game then. If we can get that program to the next level, our chances of losing a coach like those guys aren't has high IMO. I just feel like people are settling for what we are right now, when I think we could be shooting for even more because it is possible. I just don't see it possible in our current direction, especially with Joker.

Not to the Georgia people, the UGA's are family down there and are thought more highly of than alot of people.

I have to be honest in that with some people I have ran across though he years I can understand. Kind of like the old saying that goes something like......"the more people I meet, the more I like my dog".

 

With apologies to Lewis Grizzard:

 

Bubba and Earl saved their money every year for Georgia season tickets. Primo seats, right on the 50 yard line.

 

They're watching the pregame a few weeks ago and out comes UGA, the Georgia mascot. UGA proceeds to sit smack dab on the 50 yard line, and as dogs are sometimes known to do, starts licking his, shall we say, private parts.

 

Earl says, "Bubba, look at that. Do you see what that dawg is doing?"

 

Bubba says, "Earl, I see it."

 

Earl says, "Bubba, I sure wish I could do that."

 

Bubba says, "Earl...that dawg would bite you..."

If you look no where have I said should they fire Brooks. I have even said he should be able to stay as long as he wants. My problem is how we already have handed the job to Joker when he fires. I mean when Brooks does decide to retire, it is basically the same thing as those two guys leaving their programs on their own. So my examples for this was right on.

 

You basically answered my question in that fans I guess are just happy and settling for 3 or 4 win SEC seasons. You mention wins over Georgia, however what is one thing both of our wins over Georgia have in common? Both came in years that Georgia was down. So is it us coming up to them, or them just coming down to us? I think that is them coming down to us. The SEC overall this year is down compared to past years, and yet we still might only win 3 games in the SEC if we don't win this week. So is that production, or just still staying at this same level we been at? I mean how we are doing now compared, to what we were before 4 years ago is amazing. However seems like people have just settled for this. There is no reason why this program can't make that next step, and I don't see that next step coming if we just keep things as are then have Joker as coach.

 

You say that it takes years to be able to build a program and stay there. However in those two examples that I stated, UC and UL both were able to put top 10 teams together pretty quickly after they took over for the guys who left. Guys who probably honestly wouldn't have gotten them to that level. I mean they were able to make their programs into top programs, and if Petrino was still at UL they probably still are right now. I know you will say well they are not in the SEC which is true. However the team they have put together especially in UC would do very well in the SEC, and better than are UK team right. If UC was in the SEC they at worst probably would be the third best team, but IMO they would have had a very good shot to win the SEC this year if they were in it. I mean they were able to put a program together that is better than UK's right now, and would do better than us in the SEC. The whole argument about us being in the SEC for why it is so hard, is not a good argument. You could put together very good teams still just like UC did and UL did with Petrino. It took a different coach to get them to that next level, and I think the same could happen to UK if we don't tie ourselves to naming Joker coach. Go out and get the best guy available for the job, and might just find yourself a treasure. Also if a guy does well here at UK and has us contending for an SEC Championship, then I don't think we would have to really worry as much about losing the coach like they did. Because since we are in the SEC, and if the coach is doing well then he would have a good shot for the Title game then. If we can get that program to the next level, our chances of losing a coach like those guys aren't has high IMO. I just feel like people are settling for what we are right now, when I think we could be shooting for even more because it is possible. I just don't see it possible in our current direction, especially with Joker.

 

UK has had 3 SEC road winning streaks in school history. This year is the first time since 1977.

 

So in 32 years, .... the SEC or none of its teams have ever been down before? UGA has been down before and they still usually found a way to beat us, especially at Athens.

 

Brooks was right about Belotti taking his place after he left at Oregon when many of their fans at the time questioned if that was the right move. Worked out pretty well there. I am comfortable with Joker being the heir apparent. He will succeed or fail on his own merit.

In both of your examples, the coaching staffs were not fired, they left for greener pastures. In fact they left for the same job. Smith left Louisville for and was replaced by Dantonio at Michigan State. Nobody at either program said, "Lets find a new coach to take us to the next level." Give me a real example of that.

 

Under Brooks, Kentucky has become competitive in the SEC on a consistent basis. Yes it's 3 or 4 wins the past few seasons, but these recent wins over Georgia and Auburn, the upset of LSU in 07, and bowl wins over Clemson and FSU attract the attention of recruits. We don't draft players, we recruit them, so they have to want to come here. You can't fix a football team in one year like you can a basketball team. UK doesn't have the history and recruiting base like Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, etc., to do that. Not right now anyway. I don't want a flash in the pan conference title, then have the coach leave and UK fad back into oblivion.

 

Because of where UK started this resurgence, there will be an eb and flow to it's growth. They will come to a point, plateau, take a step back and surge forward. Last year was the step back, and I believe this year is beginning of the next surge forward to the next level. The Cats have been at or near the bottom of the conference for so long, it will take time to create a solid recruiting base to challenge for conference championships year in and year out. That time may be the next surge or the one that follows that. Could be 5 more years off. I'm willing to wait. I only hope Brooks can hang around long enough to complete the process before turning over to Joker.

 

BTW. I'm enjoying the journey.

 

 

Great post!!! :thumb:

 

It is funny that IF UK were to beat UT and IF they finished #2 in the East, we will hear 'the SEC is down'.

 

I supposed in the past 32 years that many believe that the conference has never been down before. Still, UK managed to be near the bottom in those years. The fact is that the program is better than it was and it slowly moving forward one of the toughest football conferences in the country.

All of the SEC wins this year are on the road. Another great win, now go beat Tennessee.