Like that Eminem song from 8 Mile...Lose Yourself....this is the moment for UK Football. We have had so many things go the right way where if it all goes according to plan....we can compete for a title NEXT YEAR. Some of these things could change....but it's looking like a lot of things may fall in place...
1. Stoops, Marrow, & Coen look to be back again...staff continuity is important. This is a historic staff. Stoops is gonna be our all-time leader in wins next year. The team loves them. They're proven.
2. Coen's offensive system is real. I mean after hitting rock bottom in the passing game...we're now as dynamic as any team in the land. We won't just be good next year, we'll be explosive.
3. Returning talent on offense....Will Levis will be a darkhorse Heisman candidate and ALL-SEC player next year. His stats coming off a 9-3 team. Chris Rodriguez should be back. It's possible Wan'dale is back and is the BEST receiver and playmaker in the nation. Getting Rosenthal back? Flax, Burton, & Horsey? Then the young guns....Jutahn McClain, Barrion Brown, Dekel Crowdus, Dane Key, Magwood, Cummings, Rigg, Upshaw.....
4. And we still have a defense....OXendine will be back. We could have Wright, Weaver, Jackson, Jones, and Wallace all back. Rogers, Rybka, Fitzgerald, and Saunders....maybe McCall but not likely. Vito Tisdale is a stud. IF we just add 2 players in the portal at DB...that's a complete group. Maybe one more defensive end?
5. The schedule is never easy...it's the SEC....Ole Miss is tough, but Corrall isn't back. Miss State is at home this time. Florida isn't a sure thing. Mizzou, Tennessee, USCjr, and Vandy are all SEC opponents...but not murderers row and we are more talented than all of those teams, just fix the DBs and we're ahead of UT. Georgia will be at home. Louisville sucks.
6. Preseason hype....we'll be top 25 preseason. A lot of award winners...and starting high gets you respect and not hanging on at the end of the top 25 with this record....we'll have respect. It'll boost recruiting even more. Season tickets will skyrocket. Donations will come in...
Now things happen...someone will declare early. We may miss out on a recruit. Some injury will set us back. Etc. etc. But this is our year....a 9-3 "disappointing" (as some people claim) season where we'll return a bunch of talent....can only be better!
Levis and co. already have played ranked and with high expectations...they won't be shocked by the moment anymore. They played at #1 UGA in the game of the week. They played and faced big moments....beat UF and lost to UT. Faced road environments like Mississippi State, USC, Louisville where the crowds were rocking. Found ways to win games with crazy turnover numbers. These guys will be battle tested....
Experience. NFL Talent. Balanced offense with great line play...explosive wideouts and deep at tight end. Power run game, pass catching out of the backfield, a QB that can run it...and throw it. A talented defense with talent in the front 7....just needing a little help in the DB area. Even a new kicker that's possibly the best in the nation? 2nd year in the offense with full offseason of practice of Coen....
A long rant...but it just feels like the hype is real. Win the Outback/Citrus....finish 10-3....get a top 10 class...fill out a roster....and I'm telling you this....top 10 preseason won't be crazy....
1. Stoops, Marrow, & Coen look to be back again...staff continuity is important. This is a historic staff. Stoops is gonna be our all-time leader in wins next year. The team loves them. They're proven.
2. Coen's offensive system is real. I mean after hitting rock bottom in the passing game...we're now as dynamic as any team in the land. We won't just be good next year, we'll be explosive.
3. Returning talent on offense....Will Levis will be a darkhorse Heisman candidate and ALL-SEC player next year. His stats coming off a 9-3 team. Chris Rodriguez should be back. It's possible Wan'dale is back and is the BEST receiver and playmaker in the nation. Getting Rosenthal back? Flax, Burton, & Horsey? Then the young guns....Jutahn McClain, Barrion Brown, Dekel Crowdus, Dane Key, Magwood, Cummings, Rigg, Upshaw.....
4. And we still have a defense....OXendine will be back. We could have Wright, Weaver, Jackson, Jones, and Wallace all back. Rogers, Rybka, Fitzgerald, and Saunders....maybe McCall but not likely. Vito Tisdale is a stud. IF we just add 2 players in the portal at DB...that's a complete group. Maybe one more defensive end?
5. The schedule is never easy...it's the SEC....Ole Miss is tough, but Corrall isn't back. Miss State is at home this time. Florida isn't a sure thing. Mizzou, Tennessee, USCjr, and Vandy are all SEC opponents...but not murderers row and we are more talented than all of those teams, just fix the DBs and we're ahead of UT. Georgia will be at home. Louisville sucks.
6. Preseason hype....we'll be top 25 preseason. A lot of award winners...and starting high gets you respect and not hanging on at the end of the top 25 with this record....we'll have respect. It'll boost recruiting even more. Season tickets will skyrocket. Donations will come in...
Now things happen...someone will declare early. We may miss out on a recruit. Some injury will set us back. Etc. etc. But this is our year....a 9-3 "disappointing" (as some people claim) season where we'll return a bunch of talent....can only be better!
Levis and co. already have played ranked and with high expectations...they won't be shocked by the moment anymore. They played at #1 UGA in the game of the week. They played and faced big moments....beat UF and lost to UT. Faced road environments like Mississippi State, USC, Louisville where the crowds were rocking. Found ways to win games with crazy turnover numbers. These guys will be battle tested....
Experience. NFL Talent. Balanced offense with great line play...explosive wideouts and deep at tight end. Power run game, pass catching out of the backfield, a QB that can run it...and throw it. A talented defense with talent in the front 7....just needing a little help in the DB area. Even a new kicker that's possibly the best in the nation? 2nd year in the offense with full offseason of practice of Coen....
A long rant...but it just feels like the hype is real. Win the Outback/Citrus....finish 10-3....get a top 10 class...fill out a roster....and I'm telling you this....top 10 preseason won't be crazy....
