Do the conference championship games become optional or obsolete? Regardless of the outcome, both Texas and UGa were in the playoffs. Anyone believe Kirby thinks getting a bye week was worth losing his starting QB and his punter? If Georgia sits out, they play potentially one more game but with Beck healthy.

17 games for a college team is too many, imo. For the B10 and SEC, the conference championship game meant almost nothing (one can make a good argument that Oregon at #1 has a tougher draw than if they'd lost their championship game) except another chance of losing a key player. The last game of the NFL season sees a lot of backups play if there's nothing riding on a win. For the other conferences, at least this year, the conference championship game did mean something. Will the B10 and SEC allow teams to skip it?

** Kent State EDGE rusher Kameron Olds reported an offer from Kentucky tonight. Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, LSU, and Virginia have all offered Olds in addition to Kentucky. He had 42 tackles, six sacks, and seven TFL on the season as one of the better edge rushers in the MAC.

** In addition to Tulane's Darian Mensah, we have heard of interest in Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter. The question with Mensah is whether the NIL would be right. Apparently there is some real interest from Salter but we aren't saying that's the direction they're moving in right now. Just a name to know.

** Chad Simmons reported that Kentucky is one of the schools in play for Syracuse cornerback Marcellus Barnes. We have since heard there is interest there. Not sure how far along it is but definitely a target at this point.

** There are several interior offensive line options we have heard would be interesting but not all of them in the portal. Just a good reminder that there are a lot more names that are going to come out and when they do we will be in a position to mention things as they happen. But a lot of guys are making decisions behind the scenes.

** UNC center Austin Blaske played the entire season and logged a 66.4 PFF grade. He was at UGA before he went to UNC and played in 15 games there in Athens. He could be an interesting option.

** We're hearing that Western Carolina tackle Derek Simmons is likely to take an official visit to Kentucky. It has since been reported that will be Dec. 16. Working on the date for that but that is a good sign as he's pretty coveted. Climbed up level by level, year by year in college to date. I can tell you that right now it looks like he will not be the only offered portal OT visiting that weekend but more on that later.

** USC WR Kyron Hudson could very well be a player of interest in the portal for Kentucky. He had 38 receptions for 462 yards and three scores this year for the Trojans. Had good games against LSU and UCLA.

** Malachi Coleman is a receiver from Nebraska I heard could be worth paying attention to. He's 6'5 and Kentucky is definitely looking for size on the outside. He was a Rivals100 prospect and the No. 1 player in the state of Nebraska coming out (No. 60 overall in the Rivals100) a couple of years ago. However, at this time I think he's just an eval guy, not a top target as of yet. Not sure he is fluid/explosive enough.

** Chad Simmons reported that Kentucky is one of the schools in play for Syracuse cornerback Marcellus Barnes. We have since heard there is interest there. Not sure how far along it is but definitely a target at this point. Will profile some of these guys at greater length as time frees up.

** We have also confirmed Kentucky's interest in South Alabama cornerback Jordan Scruggs. PFF gave him a stellar 80.3 grade this season including a 79.9 coverage mark and he was also solid in run support.

** Nevada OT Isaiah World is going into the transfer portal and he is going to be a sought-after player. I would expect Kentucky to be involved but others as well. Locking up a guy or two like that early would help the forecast a lot.

🤦‍♀️

I don't believe Georgia was the best team on that field today, but they played like I want Kentucky to play and that's to win, what a gutsy performance by Georgia, they are champions in my book!

I know today is the first official day the portal opens. Just wondering if there is some place to get a complete list of outgoing and incoming players for UK?

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Had a good FR year

How many times does a situation like the one with Stoops happen? Coach has peaked and is on downhill slide. Pretty much everyone sees it, but the coach won't do the right thing and step down. So, what is it that prevents him from doing the right thing? Is it purely greed; he doesn't want to give up the money. Is it ego; he can't admit he just isn't getting it done anymore. Is it over-confidence; he believes he can fix it. Is it just the competitive spirit; he still wants to try to win. Is it some combination, or something different? Most of these characteristics are beneficial to a coach. But, they aren't good when the coach is at the end of the road and refuses to admit it.

What specifically is it with Stoops? I have a hard time believing that he still thinks he can do anything else to elevate the football program at UK. So is he simply just wanting to hang on to the money? Does he really believe he can get this train back on the track? Is there no one in his inner circle with the balls to tell him it is time to step down?

I love the UK Wildcats. I will never root for them to lose. And, I don't dislike Mark Stoops. I appreciate all he has done for UK. But, I hate to see him drive the program back down to the same depth it was when he took it over.

Just a simple overview for the board here. I am not saying this is the staff's view of it. This is just how I see it looking at the roster.

Here's what you could argue they need:

QB1 - Whether it's Cutter next year or not, you have to bring in someone to at least compete. The question is how much NIL can be committed to such a coveted position when you have so many other portal needs.

RB1 - Wilcox could be the guy if he stays but I don't think you can go into next year without adding someone else in the hopes he can elevate the rooom.

WR1 - Maclin may be a great WR1 next year and Gilmore is promising. Realistically, you probably won't get one of the top couple of most coveted guys, but maybe another guy like Maclin the previous year.

Other WR - The room has thinned out so much, you have to bring in someone who has size and can compete to play right away.

TE - Several transfers have thinned the room. There's early evidence they have interest in adding some help there, maybe a guy or two.

3 OL - Have to bring in at least three OL and maybe four. A couple of tackles and an interior guy. This is a coveted position. The top guys are so hard to get, will have to really evaluate well.

On defense I think it's a little harder to say because there are more younger guys who have played snaps and could be more ready to assume greater responsibilities, in the staff's eyes. What do you think about the offense and defense needs to feel good about having a healthy depth chart next season?

It is sometimes mind boggling for me to say 'old guys' about men in their early 20s....BUT...

Can you imagine a team full of freshen and young sophomores to be in a game like Gonzaga and hear the coach tell you to go in 1-3-1 / matchup/ man/ morph defense and just go 'yeah, let's go coach'????
You'd probably gave seen bodies all over the floor and guys tripping on each other.
The ability of these young (old) guys and their basketball IQ is really something I've seldom seen ANYWHERE. And at 67 years old I've watched a lot of college basketball.

That the SEC should play 10 games against league opponents. I have one question for Nick. Texas was probably the only SEC contender who didn't play 4 or more teams rated in the top 20 - how did that work out for the SEC yesterday Nick? I think it was actually not that unfair - except the byes and home team pairings. Hopefully they will keep the conference winners with bids - but not give them bye games for winning in a weak conference. Those teams deserve a chance - but if a team was not even ranked wins its conference championship - I can not see how you give them a bye and a potential easy chance to make the semi finals.

I can't understand that the Big boys didn't take into consideration that many conference season leaders could get beat in the conference championship games - it happened in the SEC too! Everyone kept saying that a regular season league champion who had a good year should not lose a bid to the playoffs if they lose the Championship game. That's why the 16 team playoff makes even more sense. Its funny, the same people who complained about doing a playoff of more than 4 teams are now mad about not getting selected in a 12 game playoff - lol! I think the playoffs will be a huge hit with fans when its all said and done!

After the conference championship games are over - then seed the teams as to where their records suggest. Let the top 8 host - that's the easy thing to do!

I'm not a South Carolina fan - but they should have made the playoffs! Yes, over Alabama! or Old Miss! It was a body of work and South Carolina was playing great at end of year and they were definitely officiated for one of the 3 losses - even the SEC office admitted it. The SEC office is complaining about having only 3 teams in the playoffs. A 16 team is the correct way to go. I've said that from when they started talking about expansion - I think this year actually proves it. The SEC would have had 5 or maybe even 6 teams in if it had been a 16 team field also!

Go Big Blue!

I loved this one. So well done.

The ending...... Classic IMHO

SEC Shorts CFP War Games

Minnesota vs. IU for the IU sucks thread

I was always kind of skeptical about bringing him on board. Looking at his 2024 stats (41% comp, 3 TDs, 4 Ints, 3.7 YPC), he performed pretty much exactly how he was expected to, based on his two years at Rutgers. He was misused pretty consistently, but other than the one great pass he'd complete every so often, he just didn't look like an SEC QB to me. Still don't understand the constant rotation in for QB keeper play for much of the season - that could not have helped his stats, for sure. He's a good athlete but not quick/shifty enough running to put a lot of pressure on the defense and way too inconsistent throwing the ball to believe he's capable of driving the team down the field from the pocket. I also wasn't blown away at his ability to make the correct read on the RPO.

Being a KY kid, I hope he finds the right spot but I would speculate that he's bound for FCS. He's had 3 years in P4 conferences and hasn't given much indication that he's going to be much more than an average backup at this level. Best of luck to him. Hamdan didn't do him any favors but, ultimately, I don't believe he's good enough to start.

Hello HOB. I'll be following along with the CMP Show tonight and sharing all the main talking points here for those of you who may not be able to listen along live. Show is underway here at 6 ET. Stay tuned...

* Disappointed for Kerr needing surgery, but what a great film moment for our team to see what he did after breaking a bone in his foot, getting back on D and challenging a shot. Expect him back “sooner than later.” Says Kerr also gave a legendary pregame speech in the locker room, one of the best he’s ever heard. Can’t repeat most of it. 😂

* Jaxson Robinson was fantastic sliding into that backup PG role. Found it to be harder than expected, especially the defensive aspect, but did a nice job with it.

* Asked about whether the team needs a "go-to" bucket man or if the system creates the buckets... Pope says there are times in the game you'd like to put the ball in player A, B, or C's hands and let them go to work -- and we have actions for that -- but bottom line is we've got everything we need to get to where we need to go.

* Tom hasn't asked about Lamont Butler, unless I just completely missed it. (UPDATE: Butler topic comes up later. Tom says Lamont is doing better, but has not returned to the practice floor yet. But sounded upbeat about his progress.)

* Caller says he needs a dictionary to keep up with everything they're talking about through 9 games. Pope laughs. Says he's thought about having a moment during each show to discuss some of their terminology and explain them to the fans. "I'm gonna have the radio crew put out a glossary." Tom offers one: What's the "Pop Rule." It's from NBA legendary coach Popavich. You have 1.5 seconds to decide what you're doing when the ball hits your hands. It's inherent to what we do. It gets you actively thinking ahead during the game, anticipating their next move.

* On the Louisville rivalry... Can't recall much about those games they played back then, but he can remember what the arenas were like, the energy. Said he remembers competing against Samaki Walker... Says they love playing in games like these. They're really special, but we try to prepare the same way for every game. They're hoping to play their best game of the year on Wednesday against Colgate. Then they'll treat UofL the same way. We have to stay consistent in that all year long. I know that's boring and cliche to fans, but it's also true for a winning team.

* Shared a story about Bill Keightley when Pitino first arrived at UK. Said before they went out on the floor, Pitino couldn't find Mr. Wildcat. Was wondering what happened to him. Went back in the locker room, and he was sitting in the shower, on the floor in his suit, almost in tears, with a bottle of bourbon trying to take the stress off. It was at that point that Pitino learned how big this game was. LOL

* SEC has been "insanity." There's only a couple of teams that aren't receiving votes for the Top 25. It's going to be a beautiful year to go out and compete. Every game will be an absolute war.

no surprise

We drop to #5. Duke moves in front us with two losses and we beat them 🤣 🤣


Clemson # 16

Wild stuff to even think anout !!

The third matchup is between the number six seed, Elf, and the fourteen seed, The Grinch.

Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn't fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.

In this live-action adaptation of the beloved children's tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the bitter grump finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen).

Sorry if this has been discussed but I think he was paying Coach Pope a tremendous compliment.

I was fortunate to play on a state championship high school football team. Our coaching staff was outstanding. Players knew that even if the other team could match or slightly beat our talent, our staff would make in game and halftime adjustments. This gives players great confidence in the system.

Pope is so analytical. He understands not only the assignment, but how to correct his work before the assignment is due.

We don't need starter level minutes, but we need one of these guys to give us 10 minutes a game. Otherwise we're looking at all of Butler, Oweh, Chandler, and Brea playing 30mpg, or trying to get minutes from Almonor at the 3. We'd be really thin if we have any foul trouble. I'd rest Butler this Wednesday against Colgate and let Perry and Chandler back up Robinson, Oweh, and Brea. Give the freshmen all the minutes we can afford to and get them used to playing extended stretches in real competition.

How many drummers we have on here? Other than me and Bonzo.

What kit(s) do you have?

Self-taught or grew up playing/lessons?

Favorite styles to play?

My acoustic kit is on permanent loan to rudd's band (The Astronauts), because I can't really play them at my house (just too loud without a basement)

I was looking at some Roland e-drum kits, but the new Alesis Nitro Max mesh kit was a fraction of the price, and it came with a 12 inch snare, kick drum pad (and pedal) and it's expandable to 4 cymbals and another tom (in addition to the three toms that came with it) The module has bluetooth which is nice and upgraded drum sounds etc.

If you play, check in...