AP says no bowl game for UK

[jnewc2]

The associated press came out with their bowl projections, and they're projecting 12 of the 14 SEC teams to make bowls (with us and Vandy being the only schools not to make a bowl).

I can't say that I'm surprised that we're getting no respect nationally, since we haven't really done anything win-wise to deserve recognition (and it doesn't help that the expectations within our own fanbase, oddly enough, seem to largely be okay with a 3 or 4-win season--even with so many key parts improving from last season).

But barring some major key injuries, I just see no scenario where we don't improve on last year's win total. To me, 7 wins sounds about right for what should be a noticably improved team.

I mean, I guess there could be a crazy situation where the team is noticably improved and we somehow find a way not to improve our record, but that seems a little far-fetched considering that last year's team was two plays away from 7 wins, and we have 8 home-games this year (among other things which point toward an improved record).

All of that being said, for some unknown reason, there will still be many in our own fanbase to expect (and be okay with) 3 or 4 wins and a last-place finish. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that we receive almost zero respect nationally considering that it's our own fanbase who continues to have the lowest expectations of all. We can't expect the national media to project improvement for a program when that school's own fanbase is happy with a losing-record in year three of a coach's tenure.

Here are the AP's SEC bowl projections:


College Football Playoff Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Auburn

College Football Playoff semifinals: Ohio State vs. Baylor (Orange Bowl); Notre Dame vs. Auburn (Cotton Bowl)

Sugar Bowl: Georgia vs. TCU

Citrus Bowl: Wisconsin vs. LSU

Peach Bowl: Alabama vs. Clemson

Outback Bowl: Nebraska vs. Arkansas

Liberty Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss

Music City Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Tennessee

TaxSlayer Bowl: Minnesota vs. South Carolina

Belk Bowl: North Carolina State vs. Missouri

Birmingham Bowl: Memphis vs. Mississippi State

Texas Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Texas

Independence Bowl: Miami vs. Florida

 

[BlueRaider22]

I think we do make a bowl game this yr, but it's not like I would be terribly shocked to go 5-7 again. I would be disappointed, but not overly shocked.

I certainly understand why others predict us not to make one though. As long as they don't predict something crazy......like a 2 win season or something (then I would instantly question their logic).......but preseason predictions mean absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things.

 

[BigBlueFanClub]

Until we start winning these media darlings will continue on preseason us in last place. I would too...its the safe bet right now.

 

[Blue Decade]

The only things that would keep us from winning 6 games this year would be an upset loss to LALA in the opener, or significant injuries to key players like Towles, Boom, Hatcher, Forrest, Stamps. As long as we take care of business in the opener, I think we have a better chance of winning 7 games than 5.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

The associated press came out with their bowl projections, and they're projecting 12 of the 14 SEC teams to make bowls (with us and Vandy being the only schools not to make a bowl).

I can't say that I'm surprised that we're getting no respect nationally, since we haven't really done anything win-wise to deserve recognition (and it doesn't help that the expectations within our own fanbase, oddly enough, seem to largely be okay with a 3 or 4-win season--even with so many key parts improving from last season).

But barring some major key injuries, I just see no scenario where we don't improve on last year's win total. To me, 7 wins sounds about right for what should be a noticably improved team.

I mean, I guess there could be a crazy situation where the team is noticably improved and we somehow find a way not to improve our record, but that seems a little far-fetched considering that last year's team was two plays away from 7 wins, and we have 8 home-games this year (among other things which point toward an improved record).

All of that being said, for some unknown reason, there will still be many in our own fanbase to expect (and be okay with) 3 or 4 wins and a last-place finish. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that we receive almost zero respect nationally considering that it's our own fanbase who continues to have the lowest expectations of all. We can't expect the national media to project improvement for a program when that school's own fanbase is happy with a losing-record in year three of a coach's tenure.

Here are the AP's SEC bowl projections:


College Football Playoff Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Auburn

College Football Playoff semifinals: Ohio State vs. Baylor (Orange Bowl); Notre Dame vs. Auburn (Cotton Bowl)

Sugar Bowl: Georgia vs. TCU

Citrus Bowl: Wisconsin vs. LSU

Peach Bowl: Alabama vs. Clemson

Outback Bowl: Nebraska vs. Arkansas

Liberty Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss

Music City Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Tennessee

TaxSlayer Bowl: Minnesota vs. South Carolina

Belk Bowl: North Carolina State vs. Missouri

Birmingham Bowl: Memphis vs. Mississippi State

Texas Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Texas

Independence Bowl: Miami vs. Florida

I believe UK can get to 7, maybe even 8 regular season wins this season. Three of the OOC games will be, or should be wins the 4th against Louisville in my mind is a toss up. In conference I think Vandy and MSST are wins for 5. but on the other hand, I feel losses will come against UGA, UT, AU and Missouri for 4 L's. The remaining 3 tossup games of USC, UF and Louisville will determine the wins, 3-0 against them is possible, but 0-3 is also or any combination. But getting one 1 W gets UK in a bowl, which isn't bad considering where the program was 3 years ago.

 

[TBCat]

It's some what disappointing but understandable. They are making predictions totally off the name on the front of the jersey and not the team itself. We kind of do the same thing with basketball. Even with MSU getting Newman is anyone really taking them seriously in basketball? I'm not. I disagree with predictions of UK not making a bowl game but not everyone will see us that way. Progress is only obvious in the rear view mirror.

 

[WildCard]

Among the most ridiculous pre-season predictions are bowl match ups. Sure, maybe the playoff 4 but after that things can rearrange themselves very quickly. The "bad news" is, by bowl omission, that is a de facto prediction of 5 or less wins. That could happen I suppose but right now I just find it hard to believe that the Cats can't find 3 wins in the SEC + UofL part of the schedule. Last year's second half tailspin was disappointing but, when you look a little closer, understandable. I believe 5 of the last 6 opponents finished in the Top 25 and 4 games were on the road. I don't think the back half shapes up like that this year. But I think the real key to the season is those first 4 games and somehow I just feel the Mizzou game is the big one.

Peace

 

[bigbluegrog]

It's some what disappointing but understandable. They are making predictions totally off the name on the front of the jersey and not the team itself. We kind of do the same thing with basketball. Even with MSU getting Newman is anyone really taking them seriously in basketball? I'm not. I disagree with predictions of UK not making a bowl game but not everyone will see us that way. Progress is only obvious in the rear view mirror.

Absolutely agree with this. No doubt that name on the front of the jersey drives lazy predictions from the pundits!

 

[LordEgg]

those bowl predictions are ridiculous.

 

[Dakota25]

The projections don't mean anything. Just play the games and get at least six wins. I know the schedule is tough but getting six wins with it is more than attainable with the team we have. In other words those projections aren't going to keep us from going to a bowl game so ignore them, what will keep us is not getting atleast a .500 record.

 

[Gary4UK]

The associated press came out with their bowl projections, and they're projecting 12 of the 14 SEC teams to make bowls (with us and Vandy being the only schools not to make a bowl).

I can't say that I'm surprised that we're getting no respect nationally, since we haven't really done anything win-wise to deserve recognition (and it doesn't help that the expectations within our own fanbase, oddly enough, seem to largely be okay with a 3 or 4-win season--even with so many key parts improving from last season).

But barring some major key injuries, I just see no scenario where we don't improve on last year's win total. To me, 7 wins sounds about right for what should be a noticably improved team.

I mean, I guess there could be a crazy situation where the team is noticably improved and we somehow find a way not to improve our record, but that seems a little far-fetched considering that last year's team was two plays away from 7 wins, and we have 8 home-games this year (among other things which point toward an improved record).

All of that being said, for some unknown reason, there will still be many in our own fanbase to expect (and be okay with) 3 or 4 wins and a last-place finish. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that we receive almost zero respect nationally considering that it's our own fanbase who continues to have the lowest expectations of all. We can't expect the national media to project improvement for a program when that school's own fanbase is happy with a losing-record in year three of a coach's tenure.

Here are the AP's SEC bowl projections:


College Football Playoff Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Auburn

College Football Playoff semifinals: Ohio State vs. Baylor (Orange Bowl); Notre Dame vs. Auburn (Cotton Bowl)

Sugar Bowl: Georgia vs. TCU

Citrus Bowl: Wisconsin vs. LSU

Peach Bowl: Alabama vs. Clemson

Outback Bowl: Nebraska vs. Arkansas

Liberty Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss

Music City Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Tennessee

TaxSlayer Bowl: Minnesota vs. South Carolina

Belk Bowl: North Carolina State vs. Missouri

Birmingham Bowl: Memphis vs. Mississippi State

Texas Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Texas

Independence Bowl: Miami vs. Florida

I can say that I'm surprised to be one of two SEC teams predicted to stay home this year.... I think the AP will have egg on their face, but will anyone remember, or care? No! Not unless we really put the heat on them for picking against us.... If we make it to a bowl game this year, we should go viral on their sorry butts.... Their so called experts... BBN could do that too..... Just one good egg... I would like to throw one good egg and hit that reporter on the head.... No damage just a little egg in the face....

 

[Poetax]

I can say that I'm surprised to be one of two SEC teams predicted to stay home this year.... I think the AP will have egg on their face, but will anyone remember, or care? No! Not unless we really put the heat on them for picking against us.... If we make it to a bowl game this year, we should go viral on their sorry butts.... Their so called experts... BBN could do that too..... Just one good egg... I would like to throw one good egg and hit that reporter on the head.... No damage just a little egg in the face....

They have a win win with this story, if they goes their way, they're right, if it goes the other way, it makes a great story and they blow it up like they knew it was going to happen all along. With the media.........you never know.

 

[BigBluePhantom]

I don't think the fans have anything to do with it. If anything, you got more fans on here saying 7 or 8 than you do 5 or less. It comes down to winning on the field. We have not had many winning seasons since the Bear left and none since Brooks left.

AP has a group of writers who they use a consensus of to determine their predictions. I guarantee that the consensus only has us winning 4 games even though most of those writers would say we win 5 or 6. Here is the reason.

Most writers are going to have us winning 3 OOC games plus Vandy. That is the 4 wins.

Most will also have us losing to Auburn, UGA and UT.

That leaves Mizzou, Miss St, Florida, USCjr and UofL. Some of the writers will pick us to win each of these games. We very likely win UofL plus one of the conference games to get us to 6 and into a bowl. However, when they tally up the votes against each of these opponents individually, the consensus comes out with UK on the short end each game.

This is just the way that numbers work. The good news is that the law of averages works in our favor this year. We should be a slight underdog in four games this year. The law of averages says that we should win at least one of those. I did not include UofL in the four because I think if we come into that game with 5 wins that we will be the favorite.

 

[SanAntonioCat]

Remember Mizzou entered the SEC with little or no chance to compete given some lean years in the Big 12.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

The associated press came out with their bowl projections, and they're projecting 12 of the 14 SEC teams to make bowls (with us and Vandy being the only schools not to make a bowl).

I can't say that I'm surprised that we're getting no respect nationally, since we haven't really done anything win-wise to deserve recognition (and it doesn't help that the expectations within our own fanbase, oddly enough, seem to largely be okay with a 3 or 4-win season--even with so many key parts improving from last season).

But barring some major key injuries, I just see no scenario where we don't improve on last year's win total. To me, 7 wins sounds about right for what should be a noticably improved team.

I mean, I guess there could be a crazy situation where the team is noticably improved and we somehow find a way not to improve our record, but that seems a little far-fetched considering that last year's team was two plays away from 7 wins, and we have 8 home-games this year (among other things which point toward an improved record).

All of that being said, for some unknown reason, there will still be many in our own fanbase to expect (and be okay with) 3 or 4 wins and a last-place finish. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that we receive almost zero respect nationally considering that it's our own fanbase who continues to have the lowest expectations of all. We can't expect the national media to project improvement for a program when that school's own fanbase is happy with a losing-record in year three of a coach's tenure.

Here are the AP's SEC bowl projections:


College Football Playoff Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Auburn

College Football Playoff semifinals: Ohio State vs. Baylor (Orange Bowl); Notre Dame vs. Auburn (Cotton Bowl)

Sugar Bowl: Georgia vs. TCU

Citrus Bowl: Wisconsin vs. LSU

Peach Bowl: Alabama vs. Clemson

Outback Bowl: Nebraska vs. Arkansas

Liberty Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss

Music City Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Tennessee

TaxSlayer Bowl: Minnesota vs. South Carolina

Belk Bowl: North Carolina State vs. Missouri

Birmingham Bowl: Memphis vs. Mississippi State

Texas Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Texas

Independence Bowl: Miami vs. Florida

Why do you care what the AP thinks? Where is the folks who thinks we are gonna be a 4 win team and be estactic with that?

 

[why_not_kentucky]

I have come back down to earth and what was once an 7-8 win prediction is now 6. I would be very happy to see us win 7 games this season but i just do not see the Cats getting there yet. Now as for the 2016 season i'm going to say it now...We will win 8-9 games.

 

[buster3.0]

It would be a bad sign if UK can't even get to 6 wins this year.

They already have 3 built in wins. That means they have to go at least 3-6 in their remaining games. They should beat UL and Vandy, which means they have to go at least 1-6 against decent competition. Let's just say they lose to UL. Who knows, maybe UL is better than we think. That would mean getting 2 additional SEC wins beyond Vandy. OTOH, that does sound tough for UK given their recent records. UL is a very important game.

 

[NavyCat88]

Remember Mizzou entered the SEC with little or no chance to compete given some lean years in the Big 12.

While I will agree that not many thought Missouri would compete as well as they have in the SEC....their final B12 years were not so lean IMO: Missou went 12-2, 10-4, 8-5, 10-3, and 8-5 in their final five years with 5-straight bowl appearances going 3-2 in the post-season. Not too shabby. They stunk it up in their first year in the SEC-E (5-7) and then followed as 2X divisional champs---again, great work by Coach Pinkel.

 

[pickled cat]

We're going bowling , PERIOD!!! I'm seeing way too much depth and development to expect anything less and probably more. With our returning talent and new depth from a great group of redshirts, talented QB, Backs, & Receivers, and what I feel will be an improved DEEE this is going to be a surprisingly good football team!!! GBB!!

 

[Blue Decade]

Remember Mizzou entered the SEC with little or no chance to compete given some lean years in the Big 12.

Missouri did not have lean years in recent memory in the Big 12. When Missouri agreed to join the SEC, they were working on an impressive string of consecutive 10 win seasons over there. Gary Pinkel, Andy Hill, Craig Kuligowski form a veteran nucleus for 1 of the most hard nosed, productive coaching staffs in college football. I was never surprised that Missouri has done well in SEC football. That success will continue as long as Pinkel stays. The surprise has been Missouri's inability to compete in basketball. As for Kentucky, a lot of posters have it right. From the talking heads' point of view in the media, the win win is to predict that Georgia, Missouri, and South Carolina will rule the SEC East, with Tennessee and Florida chasing them. Because that's how it has been lately. If they are right, then they look like good prognosticators. If they are wrong, and Kentucky has a breakout season, well, that makes a great media story. Bottom line, Kentucky must win some SEC games to get any respect. And that is exactly what Stoops has been saying, too. But I am not discouraged. Unless Towles and Forrest get hurt, I see 6-7 wins and a bowl invitation coming this year.

 

[SMPLLFE111]

cats will not win the UofL game. Sorry to say as we need it but they are going to be stronger offensively than most are giving them credit.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Among the most ridiculous pre-season predictions are bowl match ups. Sure, maybe the playoff 4 but after that things can rearrange themselves very quickly. The "bad news" is, by bowl omission, that is a de facto prediction of 5 or less wins. That could happen I suppose but right now I just find it hard to believe that the Cats can't find 3 wins in the SEC + UofL part of the schedule. Last year's second half tailspin was disappointing but, when you look a little closer, understandable. I believe 5 of the last 6 opponents finished in the Top 25 and 4 games were on the road. I don't think the back half shapes up like that this year. But I think the real key to the season is those first 4 games and somehow I just feel the Mizzou game is the big one.

Peace

Yep, I've been saying it in almost every post. We MUST beat Missouri and I think they are very beatable. Missouri isn't a great team. They are a solid team rising to the top by good fortune and circumstance. Beat them and I think we win 7-8, lose to them at home and we'll be lucky to go 6-6. I firmly believe that is the most pivotal game of the season.

 

[Blue Decade]

cats will not win the UofL game. Sorry to say as we need it but they are going to be stronger offensively than most are giving them credit.

And you know this how? I give Kentucky, at least, a little better than a 50-50 chance to beat Louisville in Lexington this year. We almost beat them in Louisville last year. Whether or not they are as good as you think, Louisville lost a lot of key players. So it's pretty simple. Louisville is not invincible. The Cards lost some games last year, and they will lose some this year. Since Kentucky almost won the game in Louisville in November, if Kentucky is an improved team playing in Lexington this time, then Kentucky has a great chance to win. I disagree with you, I expect to win that game.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

UK plays in the toughest conference, annually has one of the toughest schedules, plays the 3rd best team in the ACC and ULL, a traditional pest to P5 schools ...

It is probably difficult for anyone outside the BBN to predict a bowl. They may be willing to talk about an upswing at UK, but when it comes to placing that belief into a prediction, it is far easier to stay entrenched in the past than it is to predict a change.

 

[CATFANFOLIFE87]

cats will not win the UofL game. Sorry to say as we need it but they are going to be stronger offensively than most are giving them credit.

It's lazy just to say that back it up with some logic. They lost their entire offensive line, 2 of their top 3 RBs, 5 of their top 7 WRs, their best TE, and they still don't know who will take the snaps for them.

The cards expect a bunch of first year JUCOs to pick up where 10 pros left off. How many JUCOs or transfers can you remember that hit the ground running in their first year? Even the best ones almost always have an adjustment year before they play to their potential. UL struggled to put points on the board last year with more depth and talent than they'll have this year.

I'm not predicting a total meltdown but it's foolish (or blind homerism) to think they'll be as good as they were last year on either side of the ball. Tell us why we'll lose and why they'll improve offensively after losing so much

 

[The Public Enemy]

UK plays in the toughest conference, annually has one of the toughest schedules, plays the 3rd best team in the ACC and ULL, a traditional pest to P5 schools ...

It is probably difficult for anyone outside the BBN to predict a bowl. They may be willing to talk about an upswing at UK, but when it comes to placing that belief into a prediction, it is far easier to stay entrenched in the past than it is to predict a change.

The Kentucky Schedule is Very Tough...if McElwaine can get the Gators to play to their talent level-(they had 8 NFL Draft Picks this past year, an indictment on Muschamp IMO) that is going to be a tall order even in Lexington...going to be very hard to win in Columbia, South Carolina against Spurrier and the Mississippi State Game is in StarkVegas. Also Pinkel is a hellva coach and has it rolling despite losing talent the past few years at Missouri and Louisville-(the 4th Best team in the ACC) isn't easy but you're at home.

 

[jauk11]

What?

Did I read that right, a UL fan says that UL is the fourth best team in the ACC?

Is reality starting to set in?

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Was the ACC the weakest of the P5 last year?

 

[The Public Enemy]

What?

Did I read that right, a UL fan says that UL is the fourth best team in the ACC?

Is reality starting to set in?

In 2014 if you ranked them it was this regardless of Divisions:
1. Florida State
2. Georgia Tech
3. Clemson
4. Louisville

Going into 2015 it is likely going to be this regardless of Divisions:
1. Clemson
2. Florida State
3. Georgia Tech
4. Louisville

Plus you have to remember I am one of the few UofL Fans that feels it going to be tough to win in Lexington this coming year...I actually see the upgrade in talent for Kentucky but I still expect Louisville to win in a Dogfight-(but would not be surprised if UK won)...as for last year Game in Louisville I always felt UofL was 2 TD Better but UK gave a Herculian effort...but UofL overcame Plus Two in Turnover Margin, giving up two Defensive TD and a Blocked Punt that flipped Field Position and Louisville Dropping a Pick Six in their own right by Charles Gaines....

 

[The Public Enemy]

Was the ACC the weakest of the P5 last year?

The ACC still finished with 4 Schools Ranked in the Final Top 25 in all Polls with Florida State, Georgia Tech, Clemson and Louisville...going by CBS & ESPN Post Spring Football Ranking those 4 Schools are in their Top 25 for 2015....also, only the SEC had more NFL Draft Picks in the 2015 NFL Draft with the ACC finishing 2nd ahead of the Pac 12, B1G and Big XII....

 

[Caveman Catfan]

FSU tanked against Oregon. UGA smoked both UL and Clemson. TCU may have better than any team in the ACC. Ohio State and Bama were probably better than any team in the ACC.

Seems the best of the ACC would not have been the best in the other P5 leagues.

 

[The Public Enemy]

FSU tanked against Oregon. UGA smoked both UL and Clemson. TCU may have better than any team in the ACC. Ohio State and Bama were probably better than any team in the ACC.

Seems the best of the ACC would not have been the best in the other P5 leagues.

All I am saying is this....according to the NFL Talent Evaluators only the SEC had more players that was seen as NFL Ready for 2015 and those guys only go by pure talent and according to them the ACC had more talented players then the Pac 12, Big XII and B1G and their only job is to get players to win at the highest level of Football....also, You did leave out Georgia Tech winning at Georgia and Clemson smoking Oklahoma.

From NFL.com....you're a Strong Power League when you produce this many NFL 1st Rounders and overall Draft Picks...myself I will go with the opinion of Pro Football Evaluators:

The ACC and Pac-12 tied for the most first-round picks, with nine each. The SEC had seven first-rounders, the Big Ten had three and the AAC and Big 12 had two each. This was the first time in five years that the SEC didn't have the most first-rounders.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...nferences-with-54-players-taken-in-2015-draft

 

[weused2luvhim2]

In order to get some respect at some point we have to beat somebody we are not supposed too.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

All I am saying is this....according to the NFL Talent Evaluators only the SEC had more players that was seen as NFL Ready for 2015 and those guys only go by pure talent and according to them the ACC had more talented players then the Pac 12, Big XII and B1G and their only job is to get players to win at the highest level of Football....also, You did leave out Georgia Tech winning at Georgia and Clemson smoking Oklahoma.

From NFL.com....you're a Strong Power League when you produce this many NFL 1st Rounders and overall Draft Picks...myself I will go with the opinion of Pro Football Evaluators:

The ACC and Pac-12 tied for the most first-round picks, with nine each. The SEC had seven first-rounders, the Big Ten had three and the AAC and Big 12 had two each. This was the first time in five years that the SEC didn't have the most first-rounders.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...nferences-with-54-players-taken-in-2015-draft

I was talking teams. Not a compliment to te league to have that much talent, but not have the best teams.

 

[The Public Enemy]

I was talking teams. Not a compliment to te league to have that much talent, but not have the best teams.

FYI...You also left out Georgia Tech beating Mississippi State-(who spent over half the year at #1) and Virginia Tech beating Eventual National Champion Ohio State in Columbus...my point is the ACC is a Power League according to Sagarin finished with the Combined Divisions at 4th ahead of the B1G...just saying that they had a lot of Talent in 2014....