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A Strange Feeling of Spare Time . . . .

Looking at my calendar for the next 30 days, I suddenly noticed the absence of the necessity for planning a Bowl trip.

And that’s not entirely negative: I’ll get to watch more bowls than I usually do, given that my brother and I drive to them, and miss those closely aligned with our travels.

Those trips to Orlando/Jacksonville and even Charlotte were pretty taxing on a couple of 60 year old guys in an SUV, but we did them on the cheap, in motels, with Kroger gas cards in hand, and coupons from chain restaurants.

The bowl streak was fun while it lasted.

And as to the Coaching situation, from this point forward, I am adopting the Alcoholics Anonymous philosophy: I must learn to accept that which I cannot change.

If I had a few million to spare, maybe I could make a real difference, but until that lottery lands, I am in the same boat as all (most) other Kentucky fans.

Those who have followed this forum for the last few years have known me as a Stoops’ fan . . . and statistically, until this season, I feel that “fanship” was well deserved. Perhaps my suggestion of re-naming New Circle Road “Stoops’ Loop” was a tad premature?!?

And now our situation “is what it is.”

Our recent recruiting haul, again, by measuring “Stars” is a tad above our pre-NIL level.

Stone Saunders looks like a real competitor with our Frosh phenom.

So, is there any real possibility of finding another 10 win season with Mark Stoops and staff?

I don’t know.

God knows we need to hit some O-line home runs in the Portal to have a shot, again.

But given that Stoops is the only Coach who has achieved it twice in his tenure, here, maybe he, the staff and players can rebuild the fire that once carried a three-star laden team to within a game of an East title, and a New Year’s Day spanking of Penn State.

Nothing is guaranteed. Our conference is a biatch, and scheduling will do is no favors, prior, perhaps than 2026 . . . and that ain’t a guarantee, as the likes of Vandy, Mizzou, Ole Miss, UF and USCe all seem to be stepping up their game, and I think we’ll see nine conference games in ‘26.

So I’m left with some hope: we still landed a Class that should be roughly equal to or better than half the conference. We kind of lucked into Levis for a magical season, and if the portal hurt us in 2023/24, we cannot deny that it “made” us in 2021.

And at a minimum, we’ll have a hell-of-home schedule in 2025, with both UT’s, Florida, and Ole Miss.

And I’ll be there if the Lord allows another season!!

FB Recruiting Portal Recruiting Notes

** Marshall LB Landyn Watson is officially visiting Kentucky later this week but it's reported he is first officially visiting Mississippi State.

** Jacksonville State LB Reginald Hughes announced an offer from Kentucky. The 6'2, 240-pound MLB will be at Colorado before Kentucky. He was a very productive player this year.

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** Can confirm a report from Zack Geoghegan that USC EDGE Sam Greene will be visiting this week. I will have more on him tomorrow.

** Believe OT Isaiah World, the player alluded to a while ago, will be visiting this weekend. He would be an important player to lock down.

Honest question- Could colleges

Start a new NCAA organization with bylaws? Members would join voluntarily and agree to abide by the rules of the org. Similar to a country club or civic organization.
Set up a fair compensation agreement that all agree to.

Don’t join if you don’t want. I bet 90% of all ADs and coaches would be willing to start over. It would take some work but could rectify this out of control nonsense.

Would a membership violate the SC decision?

Top 25 Highest Paid CFB Coaches

RankCoachSchoolTotal PayConf.School PayMaximum BonusBonuses Paid
(2023-24)
School Buyout
as of 12/1/2024
1Kirby SmartGeorgia$13,282,580SEC$13,003,000$1,775,000$275,000$118,083,333
2Dabo SwinneyClemson$11,132,775*ACC$11,008,575$1,500,000$175,000$60,000,000
3Steve SarkisianTexas$10,600,000*SEC$10,600,000$1,850,000$300,000$55,044,583
4Lincoln RileyUSC$10,043,418*Big 10$10,043,418---
5Ryan DayOhio State$10,021,250Big 10$9,946,250$1,550,000$250,000$37,276,042
6Mike NorvellFlorida State$10,000,000ACC$10,000,000$1,550,000$750,000$63,778,333
7Kalen DeBoerAlabama$10,000,000*SEC$10,000,000$1,175,000-$70,050,000
8Brian KellyLSU$9,975,000*SEC$9,975,000$1,325,000$100,000$61,738,333
9Mark StoopsKentucky$9,013,600*SEC$9,000,000$3,550,000$200,000$44,437,500
10Lane KiffinOle Miss$9,000,000*SEC$9,000,000$2,600,000$800,000$36,590,000
11Eliah DrinkwitzMissouri$9,000,000SEC$9,000,000$1,300,000$425,000$28,312,500
12Josh HeupelTennessee$9,000,000SEC$9,000,000$1,700,000$200,000$37,500,000
13James FranklinPenn State$8,500,000*Big 10$8,500,000$1,400,000$300,000$56,666,667
14Dan LanningOregon$8,200,000Big 10$8,200,000$1,875,000$450,000$45,366,667
15Brent VenablesOklahoma$8,152,000SEC$8,150,000$1,385,000$25,000$44,808,333
16Mario CristobalMiami (FL)$7,783,059*ACC$7,783,059---
17Mike GundyOklahoma State$7,750,000*Big 12$7,750,000$1,000,000$125,000$25,359,375
18Luke FickellWisconsin$7,725,000Big 10$7,725,000$1,450,000$0$40,186,667
19Jedd FischWashington$7,700,023*Big 10$7,700,023$1,550,000-$40,239,960
20Lance LeipoldKansas$7,500,000*Big 12$7,500,000$1,125,000$275,000$27,800,000
21Billy NapierFlorida$7,370,000SEC$7,120,000$1,600,000$100,000$26,704,167
22Jonathan SmithMichigan State$7,250,000*Big 10$7,250,000$1,785,000-$39,787,083
23Kirk FerentzIowa$7,000,000*Big 10$7,000,000$2,500,000$575,000$31,000,000
24Mike ElkoTexas A&M$7,000,000*SEC$7,000,000$3,800,000-$27,124,985
25Hugh FreezeAuburn$6,728,100SEC$6,725,000$3,300,000$300,000$20,312,500
  • Haha
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FB Recruiting Cats closing in on first portal commit?

Marshall LB Landyn Watson tells CI that he will officially visit Kentucky this Thursday, just a few days from now, and he has said he's looking to make a decision quickly.

Thumper in the middle who played the whole season at WLB for the Thundering Herd.

Cats' depth chart at linebacker needs an overhaul, he's played a lot of football.

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BB Recruiting Caleb Wilson

Nothing new to report here, just wanted to post that things are in a holding pattern. Kentucky’s to lose here in this recruitment. He’s had a great start to his high school season.

People have asked me on here for a comp - I used to say Brandon Miller because of the tools & up and down motor in HS, but the shooting hasn’t made it to where I was projecting it a couple of years ago. The closest UK comp I can come up with is Terrence Jones, like others have said (when his motor is running high). He’s got a frame to put on a lot of muscle, is capable of driving from the perimeter for thunderous dunks, and is capable of guarding a couple different positions defensively.

  • Poll
Best Christmas Movie - Final Four - Game 1

Best Christmas Movie

  • 4 - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

    Votes: 21 84.0%
  • 8 - Scrooged

    Votes: 4 16.0%

Welcome to the Final Four! Our movies have fought a long battle and are vying for the title of Best Christmas Movie.

Coming in at the eight seed is the Cinderella of the tournament, Scrooged. Their opponent is the number four seed Christmas Vacation. A true comedic battle.
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