UK Football 2020: Turning the Corner

[WVRed]

By popular demand, here’s a thread for UK football

[UKWhoDey]

Well, since we dont have a thread going, we might as well get one going boys.

Im pretty optimistic about this season TBH. I think we can win 9 or 10 regular season games. I know we have the "tough" road rotation this year with Florida, Tennessee and Louisville, but honestly Georgia is the only team on our schedule who you have to just chalk up as a loss.

OL, our secondary, hell our DL....I feel real solid about all of them. RB corp is obviously rock solid. How Terry has progressed is the big ? He looked pretty darn good his two starts last season before the horse collar. I dont think pick 9-3 is at all unreasonable, but Ill be bold and say 10-2.

C-A-T-S!

[marcshoe]

By popular demand, here’s a thread for UK football

It's gotten so rough that it goes in the Politics and Religion section, eh?

[UKWhoDey]

9/5 EASTERN MICHIGAN
9/12 @ Florida
9/19 KENT STATE
9/26 SOUTH CAROLINA
10/3 @ Auburn
10/10 EASTERN ILLINOIS
10/17 VANDERBILT
10/24 @ Missouri
11/7 @ Tennessee
11/14 MISSISSIPPI STATE
11/21 GEORGIA
11/28 @ Louisville

[WrongVerb]

RedEye, is that you?

[WVRed]

9/5 EASTERN MICHIGAN
9/12 @ Florida
9/19 KENT STATE
9/26 SOUTH CAROLINA
10/3 @ Auburn
10/10 EASTERN ILLINOIS
10/17 VANDERBILT
10/24 @ Missouri
11/7 @ Tennessee
11/14 MISSISSIPPI STATE
11/21 GEORGIA
11/28 @ Louisville

Four automatic wins:
EMU
Kent State
Vanderbilt
Eastern Illinois

Toss Ups (should be wins)
South Carolina
Mississippi State
@Missouri

Toss Ups (less likely)
@Tennessee
@Louisville

Three losses:
@Florida
Georgia
@Auburn

I’m going with 7-5 or 8-4. How Terry progresses is critical and if Joey Gatewood is eligible is going to have a major impact moving forward.

[BobRoberts]

By popular demand, here’s a thread for UK football

I'm not a UK fan, but I think they are heading in right direction.

The problem is they play in the SEC.

[WVRed]

Whoops. Read UKWhoDeys response in the UK basketball thread and thought I was in the Tavern.

[WildcatFan]

It's gotten so rough that it goes in the Politics and Religion section, eh?

https://www.kentucky.com/latest-news/fa2h37/picture243317371/alternates/FREE_768/LEX_200605UKFootballMarcas0(3)

[WildcatFan]

I'm not a UK fan, but I think they are heading in right direction.

The problem is they play in the SEC.

Fortunately the SEC East has fallen way behind the West. It's not inconceivable for the Cats to get to an SEC title game at some point in the next three years.

And get mollywalloped by Alabama.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Fortunately the SEC East has fallen way behind the West. It's not inconceivable for the Cats to get to an SEC title game at some point in the next three years.

And get mollywalloped by Alabama.

They'd have to win vs. Georgia AND Florida AND Tennessee in the same year.

[WildcatFan]

They'd have to win vs. Georgia AND Florida AND Tennessee in the same year.

As long as they beat Florida and Tennessee, they'd have a chance. Georgia has to play Auburn every year from the West while Kentucky just has Mississippi St. If it's one of those seasons when UK gets MSU and Arkansas while Georgia gets Auburn and LSU, it's conceivable for Georgia to beat Kentucky and still finish 5-3 or something.

[oneupper]

Here I was thinking this would be about Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, etc.

[dabvu2498]

As long as they beat Florida and Tennessee, they'd have a chance. Georgia has to play Auburn every year from the West while Kentucky just has Mississippi St. If it's one of those seasons when UK gets MSU and Arkansas while Georgia gets Auburn and LSU, it's conceivable for Georgia to beat Kentucky and still finish 5-3 or something.

Errr... Florida has to play LSU and UT is matched up with Bama. UK would perpetually have the good end of that stick.

It also makes me laugh a little because in 2013, Vanderbilt had just the kinda season we’re talking about... Beat Georgia, UT, UF... And finished 4-4 and 4th in the East.

[adkindo]

I think the SEC East is on the upswing....I expect it to be much stronger in the near future compared to the recent past. Georgia is not going anywhere, while UF and Tennessee appear to be making strides to reclaiming their position in the SEC

[WVRed]

I think the SEC East is on the upswing....I expect it to be much stronger in the near future compared to the recent past. Georgia is not going anywhere, while UF and Tennessee appear to be making strides to reclaiming their position in the SEC

The problem with UK football is that while Stoops has tremendously improved the program, no matter how much he improves it, it will never be enough to get over the hump. Everyone else keeps improving too.

Georgia is at the top of the pyramid right now but Florida will be the team that knocks them off if it does happen. Tennessee is paying two former head coaches to go away but they will spend to get back to the top. Kentucky at best is fighting in the middle tier in the East with South Carolina and Missouri. Vanderbilt will always be a doormat unless Derek Mason becomes James Franklin overnight.

[UKWhoDey]

How is Louisville under "less likely" in your mind WV? Weve beaten them a combined 101-23 the last 2 seasons and won 3 of the last 4. UK has the bulk of our roster returning. Did UofL find some eligibility for Lamar Im not aware of? We are going to absolutely embarass them this year. I honestly expect a better game from Vanderbilt with Masons job being on the line, thats not blue tinted hyperbole either. UofL has some seeeerious work to do before we can take them serious again.

[Bourgeois Zee]

The problem with UK football is that while Stoops has tremendously improved the program, no matter how much he improves it, it will never be enough to get over the hump. Everyone else keeps improving too.

Georgia is at the top of the pyramid right now but Florida will be the team that knocks them off if it does happen. Tennessee is paying two former head coaches to go away but they will spend to get back to the top. Kentucky at best is fighting in the middle tier in the East with South Carolina and Missouri. Vanderbilt will always be a doormat unless Derek Mason becomes James Franklin overnight.

Disagree slightly.

Moving forward, the Gators and Vols are probably going to be superior over the course of a decade-long stretch, but Kentucky will be competitive. It would not shock me if the Cats ended up knocking off both clubs in, say, one season out of ten. (Or perhaps two out of ten.)

Basically, I think it will end up being the basketball rivalry in reverse-- a blue blood advantage in the win column, but respectable, tough, hard-fought games nearly all the time.

That puts Kentucky on its own level ahead of Missouri and South Carolina (who UK's beaten in 10 of the last 11 meetings combined) and Vandy.

This season, btw, may well see that Blue Moon. Kentucky returns the best offensive line in the SEC-- and it's not particularly close. Two guys grade out as All-SEC 1st Team (and deserve All-American hype), and the rest are big, agile, effective, and experienced. UK loses three starters on both sides of the ball and a bit of quality depth, but, overall, the talent level has never been as high as it is this season in Lexington.

The running backs will be good. Both lines should be outstanding. QB pressure should be constant. The LB corps are very good, and a coverage squad that was among the nation's best is back almost in its entirety (and adds top-flight talent). The QB is experienced.

They need Wilson to emerge as a near All-SEC performer to have a special season, but, if you squint, it's certainly possible. He has all the tools.

The schedule is set up nicely, though most of the tough games are away from home.

My guesses at the games:

Near Automatic Wins (But This Is Kentucky): 4
Eastern Michigan (This type of team has proven difficult in the past, but first game should see experience and talent trump underdog.)
Kent State (More talented team at home is a pretty easy call.)
Eastern Illinois (Easiest game on schedule, perhaps. Clearly at a talent disadvantage to Cats.)
Vanderbilt (Kentucky wins almost all talent, depth, and experience match-ups. At home helps make this non-competitive.)

Momentum Says Cats: 4
South Carolina (Cats won five of last six. At home.)
at Missouri (Cats won last five. May be closer than Cats' fans would like.)
Mississippi State (Less sure about this, but Cats won last two at home.)
at Louisville (UK clearly better, more talented the past two seasons. Profile to be same this year.)

Stranger Things Have Happened: 3
at Florida (Lots of returning starters and talent makes this one a tough lift. The schedule helps Kentucky a bit, if no injuries.)
at Auburn (On experience, Kentucky has the advantage. AU a ton of talent, but it's Auburn, so talent leans that way. At Auburn.)
at Tennessee (UK should have won last season. This one is away. It's the most winnable of the three here. Lots of talent returns, but skill positions are questionable. Were this played in the first couple of games, I'd feel better about Kentucky's chances.)

Not Yet There: 1
Georgia (Lost a lot of talent, but clearly a tier or two above everyone in the East right now.)

That's 8-4, yet another solid bowl game, and arguably the best sustained run of Kentucky football ever.

[WVRed]

How is Louisville under "less likely" in your mind WV? Weve beaten them a combined 101-23 the last 2 seasons and won 3 of the last 4. UK has the bulk of our roster returning. Did UofL find some eligibility for Lamar Im not aware of? We are going to absolutely embarass them this year. I honestly expect a better game from Vanderbilt with Masons job being on the line, thats not blue tinted hyperbole either. UofL has some seeeerious work to do before we can take them serious again.

Two reasons:

It’s at Louisville

And Louisville is the betting favorite in that game at least for right now.

That said, Louisville is expected to turn the corner this year. Doesn’t mean they will. For all we know Scott Satterfield will be another Steve Kragthorpe. It’s all fluid and could change.

[Bourgeois Zee]

That said, Louisville is expected to turn the corner this year.

Kentucky returns far more talent-- and talent at premium positions. Kentucky also recruited better (and should see many of those recruits play large roles this season).

UK's offensive line v. Louisville's defensive line is a huge mismatch. The entirety of Louisville's defense was porous last season and didn't get much help. Their offense dominated against lesser opponents, but largely proved middling against tougher competition. Kentucky's defense will probably be the second toughest Louisville faces all year.

The clear advantage should go to Kentucky.

[WVRed]

Developing:

US Marshals, DEA searching Lynn Bowden’s home in Youngstown https://kentuckysportsradio.com/football-2/us-marshals-dea-searching-lynn-bowdens-home-in-youngstown/

[UKWhoDey]

Two reasons:

It’s at Louisville

And Louisville is the betting favorite in that game at least for right now.

That said, Louisville is expected to turn the corner this year. Doesn’t mean they will. For all we know Scott Satterfield will be another Steve Kragthorpe. It’s all fluid and could change.

Im not buying what youre selling. Maybe they give us a decent game, but UK is clearly head and shoulders above them right now. Their recruiting hasn't been that hot either quite frankly.

[UKWhoDey]

Kentucky returns far more talent-- and talent at premium positions. Kentucky also recruited better (and should see many of those recruits play large roles this season).

UK's offensive line v. Louisville's defensive line is a huge mismatch. The entirety of Louisville's defense was porous last season and didn't get much help. Their offense dominated against lesser opponents, but largely proved middling against tougher competition. Kentucky's defense will probably be the second toughest Louisville faces all year.

The clear advantage should go to Kentucky.

Bingo.

[WVRed]

Im not buying what youre selling. Maybe they give us a decent game, but UK is clearly head and shoulders above them right now. Their recruiting hasn't been that hot either quite frankly.

Again, I’m going by the (very) early Vegas lines. Once the season actually starts and we see where we (and they) are, I’m sure my opinion will change.

My concern heading into this season is who will inevitably go down to injury in training camp. Seems like it happens every year.

[UKWhoDey]

Again, I’m going by the (very) early Vegas lines. Once the season actually starts and we see where we (and they) are, I’m sure my opinion will change.

My concern heading into this season is who will inevitably go down to injury in training camp. Seems like it happens every year.

Nope. Lol Drink the blue kool aid. Betting against Vegas was extremely profitable for UK homers last year. I certainly cleaned up. UofLs win total might look impressive turnaround wise but the reality is their schedule was atrocious. And they looked equally atrocious against even middling competition. Missouri is a bigger potential upstart w/Drink coaching them now than UofL. We'll see.

[BobRoberts]

Fortunately the SEC East has fallen way behind the West. It's not inconceivable for the Cats to get to an SEC title game at some point in the next three years.



For what it's worth, here are Vegas's current odds:

Clemson – 11/4
Ohio State – 11/4
Alabama – 5/1
Georgia – 8/1
Florida – 12/1
Oklahoma – 16/1
Notre Dame –30/1
Oregon – 30/1
Penn State – 30/1
Texas – 30/1
Texas A&M – 30/1
Auburn – 40/1
LSU – 40/1

The SEC East has 2 teams in the top 5

[adkindo]

The problem with UK football is that while Stoops has tremendously improved the program, no matter how much he improves it, it will never be enough to get over the hump. Everyone else keeps improving too.

I get it. I will look at some video's and images of facility renovations and improvements @ WVU that costs tens of millions of dollars which will give me some confidence.....then I will see the massive new complex Florida is building or Georgia's new IPF, and realize we are treading water at best. It is a constant arms race (especially in football), and nearly impossible to catch up. WVU has spent and spent....and only climbed to around the middle of the B12 in facilities.....would be in the bottom 3rd of the SEC.

[WVRed]

I get it. I will look at some video's and images of facility renovations and improvements @ WVU that costs tens of millions of dollars which will give me some confidence.....then I will see the massive new complex Florida is building or Georgia's new IPF, and realize we are treading water at best. It is a constant arms race (especially in football), and nearly impossible to catch up. WVU has spent and spent....and only climbed to around the middle of the B12 in facilities.....would be in the bottom 3rd of the SEC.

I get why WVU jumped to the Big 12 but the death of the Big East was the death of WVU Football as you and other WVU fans knew it. Once that happened WVU had to find a home and the options available they didn’t fit culturally (ACC) or geographically (SEC, Big 12). Going to the AAC would have been a death sentence.

If you want to feel frustrated, look at recruiting. Kentucky is ranked 25th on 247. Looks great until you consider Georgia (1), Alabama (2), LSU (4), Texas A&M (6), Auburn (7), Florida (9), Tennessee (10), and South Carolina (18) rank ahead of them. Top 25 but 5th best in recruiting in their own conference.

Should mention everything will likely change come signing day but this has been the norm of Kentucky football.

[Kingspoint]

So, there's football in Kentucky, right?

[WVRed]

Well that sucked.

Hope Gatewood is ruled eligible soon. Terry Wilson doesn’t have Benny Snell or Lynn Bowden to bail him out. Three turnovers and two were by Wilson.

Don’t understand Eddie Gran not utilizing Kaviosey Smoke more either.

[WVRed]

RIP Coach Schlarmann. Kentucky won against Tennessee in the last game he coached in.

[UKFlounder]

Awful news about Schlarman

He played at Highlands snd had coached Campbfll County snd Newport as well.

Just terrible news snd a sad situation

[WVRed]

Heading into the final game of the season Kentucky is debating even accepting a bowl game.

Don’t really know how I feel about it. On one hand it would give them more practice especially for the younger players coming up.

OTOH, with covid ransacking the program the last two weeks, the passing of a coach midseason, and other internal turmoil namely directed at the offense I’d be happy if they called it a season and not play Saturday.

I’m just hoping they move on from Eddie Gran and Darrin Hinshaw.

[WVRed]

Eddie Gran and Darin Hinshaw officially let go by Kentucky:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30462738/kentucky-fires-oc-eddie-gran-qb-coach-darin-hinshaw

Like Gran as a person but it had to be done. Benny Snell and Lynn Bowden bailed him out the last two years and covered up the problems in play calling.

[cumberlandreds]

Eddie Gran and Darin Hinshaw officially let go by Kentucky:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30462738/kentucky-fires-oc-eddie-gran-qb-coach-darin-hinshaw

Like Gran as a person but it had to be done. Benny Snell and Lynn Bowden bailed him out the last two years and covered up the problems in play calling.

Yea his play calling left a lot to be desired. It was time for a change.

[WVRed]

Yea his play calling left a lot to be desired. It was time for a change.

I don’t really know who I want. The names being floated don’t really excite me outside of maybe Cale Gundy and he hasn’t called plays.

[WVRed]

Four names being floated to replace Gran:

Joe Moorhead
Brian Brohm
Liam Coen (LA Rams QB coach)
Bush Hamdan (Missouri QB coach)

Moorhead is the big name on the list but I’d be shocked if he took it. Coen would basically be the Joe Brady type of hire.

Brohm would be my pick as it would help out significantly with Beau Allen’s development and would also help lock down in state recruiting even further.

[Assembly Hall]

Four names being floated to replace Gran:

Joe Moorhead
Brian Brohm
Liam Coen (LA Rams QB coach)
Bush Hamdan (Missouri QB coach)

Moorhead is the big name on the list but I’d be shocked if he took it. Coen would basically be the Joe Brady type of hire.

Brohm would be my pick as it would help out significantly with Beau Allen’s development and would also help lock down in state recruiting even further.

Lovie Smith?

[UKFlounder]

They hired Liam Coen, the assistant QB coach of the Rams.

His resume is eerily similar to Zac Taylor’s

[WVRed]

They hired Liam Coen, the assistant QB coach of the Rams.

His resume is eerily similar to Zac Taylor’s

It’s basically the Joe Brady effect.

It worked for LSU but they had an accomplished offensive coordinator and Brady had a completely different title.

A pro style offense though with Beau Allen as the QB of the future is promising.

[UKFlounder]

I hope so.

I wonder what O-line coaches they’re looking st and if they’ll have a special teams coach this year.



It’s basically the Joe Brady effect.

It worked for LSU but they had an accomplished offensive coordinator and Brady had a completely different title.

A pro style offense though with Beau Allen as the QB of the future is promising.

[WVRed]

I hope so.

I wonder what O-line coaches they’re looking st and if they’ll have a special teams coach this year.

Stoops hints at South Carolina’s Eric Wolford as next OL coach: “I have a guy in mind. … It’ll happen”

https://kentuckysportsradio.com/football-2/stoops-hints-at-south-carolinas-eric-wolford-as-next-ol-coach-i-have-a-guy-in-mind-itll-happen/

[adkindo]

Projections are we may have a good ole' Hatfields and McCoys narrative bowl with WVU playing UK in the Liberty Bowl! That could be fun.....and we all know who won that battle. ;)

https://resize.hswstatic.com/w_796/gif/Hatfield-McCoys.jpg

[WVRed]

Projections are we may have a good ole' Hatfields and McCoys narrative bowl with WVU playing UK in the Liberty Bowl! That could be fun.....and we all know who won that battle. ;)

https://resize.hswstatic.com/w_796/gif/Hatfield-McCoys.jpg

Rumor is with Ole Miss losing Kentucky could be in play for the Gator Bowl.

[adkindo]

we will see, I did not check UK's options, but I saw many had WVU and UK in Liberty....then some had WVU and UT, so maybe those are the projections that put you guys in the Gator

[WVRed]

we will see, I did not check UK's options, but I saw many had WVU and UK in Liberty....then some had WVU and UT, so maybe those are the projections that put you guys in the Gator

ESPN has UK and Iowa in the Music City Bowl and CBS has the UK-WVU matchup.

[adkindo]

ESPN has UK and Iowa in the Music City Bowl and CBS has the UK-WVU matchup.

I just hope WVU ends up in the Liberty Bowl, because I have zero interest in the other options like the Frisco Bowl! Honestly, I would rather they opt out than playing in the Frisco Bowl.

Brett McMurphy (Stadium) has UK in the Gator vs. NC State and 247 has UK in the Music City Bowl vs. Wisconsin.

[cumberlandreds]

UK is playing NC State in the Tax Slayer Bowl on Jan 2.

[goreds2]

UK is playing NC State in the Tax Slayer Bowl on Jan 2. UK football has won their bowl game three straight years.