Expectations for Next Year

[lakercat]

I know we will likely lose Robinson and will lose Ali and Epps, but we have Levis coming back (who's a gamer - it's hard to make throws when defenders are constantly in your face) and Rodriguez should be back. Ox should be back healthy, and our secondary should get better. We do lose a lot on the front seven in Square, Pascal and McCall.

Schedule:

Miami (OH)
@Florida
Youngstown
Northern Illinois
@Ole Miss
South Carolina
Miss State
@Tennessee
@Mizzou
Vandy
Georgia
Louisville

I think 9-3 or 10-2 is attainable. I think anything worse than 8-4 would be considered a failure (7-5 or worse). Thoughts? I would love to win the East next year, because in 2023, we deal with Bama AND Georgia, and Florida and Tennessee appear to be on the way up with their recent hires.

 

[BigCat241]

Moving my post from another thread over here but,
The one thing that gives me pause about next season is how our division seemingly will improve. UT is going to be decent with Hooker and Tillman returning and then you also have USC with Rattler coming in that can make some noise. And then our cross division game being at Ole Miss is another really tough one. Just eyeballing it I like us at 8-4 or 9-3 next year.

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

Beat UT. That just sticks in our craw every other year.

 

[lakercat]

I would like to not have that "rotten egg" like we seem to do every year. (Tennessee in 18', South Carolina/Miss State in 19', Miss State in 21'). We need to stop being "one play away" against either Tennessee or Florida. Georgia will likely beat us, but I think we can win every other (but likely lose 1-2 more).

 

[jacobbleedsblue]

Moving my post from another thread over here but,
The one thing that gives me pause about next season is how our division seemingly will improve. UT is going to be decent with Hooker and Tillman returning and then you also have USC with Rattler coming in that can make some noise. And then our cross division game being at Ole Miss is another really tough one. Just eyeballing it I like us at 8-4 or 9-3 next year.

So, seeing that schedule, are you predicting we lose to: Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia?

 

[BigCat241]

So, seeing that schedule, are you predicting we lose to: Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia?

I'd go losses to Ole miss, Georgia, UT, and UF probably.

 

[gossie21]

I see Levis making a big jump with a full spring working on the system. Liam Coen with a full year calling plays under his belt.

My biggest question mark is rebuilding the O-line and d-backs. I have confidence both units will be addressed with the recruiting, depth and/or transfer portal. The future is bright. I’ll go with 10-2, but I’m optimistic for more. One thing is guaranteed…. The media will rank us preseason around 5th in the east.

 

[LouievileKat]

Miami (OH) - win
@Florida - Rebuild mode and I believe they play Utah week one - Win
Youngstown - Struggle Win
Northern Illinois - Win
@Ole Miss - no idea what they have coming back. Shoot out win
South Carolina - Coach Beamer forgets to velcro his shoe spends the whole game in disarray - win
Miss State - it's at our house, no cowbells - Win
@Tennessee - Mustard bottles are now bolted down in Neyland. - Win
@Mizzou - Harry Potter ran out of magic - win
Vandy - Win
Georgia - Georgia team bus gets lost on the way to the stadium - Win
Louisville - Annual running of the cats. - Win

Perfect 12-0 January 2nd way too early so not serious prediction

 

[chevyman 50]

I think losing Robinson will really hurt this team just like yesterday Ky would lose without him and other games we would have lost. Robinson is a great player.

 

[Jtf2217]

I voted 9-3 but like this year I see 11 if we can get the edge and a few more concerns tackled.

Miami (OH) W
@Florida. W (MESS)
Youngstown W
Northern Illinois W
@Ole Miss. Loses Matt corral.
South Carolina. W
Miss State. we get them at home but they are the team we just can't figure out.
@Tennessee. See miss ST
@Mizzou. W
Vandy. W
Georgia. Once again we play for rights to get to ATL and come up short.
Louisville. W.

Realistically. I'd say we drop. Some combo of FL,GA and TN and maybe Miss ST. I'll say we win 2-4 🏆

 

[jacobbleedsblue]

I'd go losses to Ole miss, Georgia, UT, and UF probably.

Are you aware that we beat Florida this year, and that their team is in full- blown rebuild?

 

[ghorn19]

7-9 wins.

We lose a TON of guys, so tough to predict

 

[BGCATFAN2012]

Wow that schedule screams 11 wins but who knows. Glad to see we are building back better so to speak.

 

[highlysuspicious]

Starts and ends with oline play. I have confidence interior play will be ok. Tackle not so much. Need Rosenthal back. Goodwin is going to take sometime. Big jump in competition for him. He has all the physical tools. Buford could be key at LT.

Safety is another area we will experience growing pains. Who is going to be the next thumper ala west and corker?

 

[bluecoon1]

Getting UF early with a new staff is a plus and they also lost a lot of guys. Corral is gone at OM and they will have a drop off in their passing game. I think we can have a really good year if we pull off one of those wins and an excellent year if we could somehow win both.

 

[maroon79]

7-9 wins.

We lose a TON of guys, so tough to predict

you meant

Geez, UK has a ton of returning talent all over the place and in many places better talent than what we are accustomed to having for a UK Team

there are a couple of areas that are uncertain, but this ‘22 team seems to be legit

plus, UK has a top 10 recruiting class. Let’s see what they bring!!

we shall see

 

[K_TIME]

I need to wait until transfer Portal shakes out for Ky as well as other teams before you can make a rational prediction

like let’s be honest if UK doesn’t add pass rush off edge, another Wr and one more cover CB…thise are huge holes to fill with existing roster

 

[catagious]

The cool thing is that there is only one sure ‘L’. We are at a place we have never been.

 

[BlueRunner11]

I think losing Robinson will really hurt this team just like yesterday Ky would lose without him and other games we would have lost. Robinson is a great player.

No I was told on here repeatedly when debating on Wandale playing or sitting for this game, that one single player doesn’t make that big of a difference.

 

[Sparkaces1]

I need to wait until transfer Portal shakes out for Ky as well as other teams before you can make a rational prediction

like let’s be honest if UK doesn’t add pass rush off edge, another Wr and one more cover CB…thise are huge holes to fill with existing roster

I think we may have the pass rusher in either Wade or Fearby or the portal, Maggard acted like Wade could definitely contribute next year. Now the corner is huge, I feel pretty good about receiver. To me by far the biggest question is tackle, I mean if we lose that game yesterday this board would be in panic mode about tackle lol.

 

[vhcat70]

I don't have this choice, but given it, I'd want Paschal back over Levis. We badly need a pass rush.

 

[Kicking ass in the bluegrass]

The cool thing is that there is only one sure ‘L’. We are at a place we have never been.

I’m not predicting a W but Georgia is not a “sure” L, especially at home…we’ve played them competitively last few years…it was 14-3 in Lex 2 years ago

 

[ukwild#41]

Georgia is the only game where the opponent has more talent. Season will be defined by at Ole Miss, at UT, USC, and MSU. Florida will be way down and should be an easy win. 2-2 with the 4 swing games seems doable so I went with 9-3 but just like this season 11-1 and 10-2 are on the table. Floor should be 7-5.

 

[sluggercatfan]

I know we will likely lose Robinson and will lose Ali and Epps, but we have Levis coming back (who's a gamer - it's hard to make throws when defenders are constantly in your face) and Rodriguez should be back. Ox should be back healthy, and our secondary should get better. We do lose a lot on the front seven in Square, Pascal and McCall.

Schedule:

Miami (OH)
@Florida
Youngstown
Northern Illinois
@Ole Miss
South Carolina
Miss State
@Tennessee
@Mizzou
Vandy
Georgia
Louisville

I think 9-3 or 10-2 is attainable. I think anything worse than 8-4 would be considered a failure (7-5 or worse). Thoughts? I would love to win the East next year, because in 2023, we deal with Bama AND Georgia, and Florida and Tennessee appear to be on the way up with their recent hires.

Much tougher schedule with the road trips...this was the season. Bet players/coaches are kicking themselves over puke orange/MST games!

 

[sluggercatfan]

I think we may have the pass rusher in either Wade or Fearby or the portal, Maggard acted like Wade could definitely contribute next year. Now the corner is huge, I feel pretty good about receiver. To me by far the biggest question is tackle, I mean if we lose that game yesterday this board would be in panic mode about tackle lol.

JJ Weaver...anybody know the latest with Casey? If he stays in portal look for him to possibly end up at the U. Know he committed to Oregon because of the new Miami HC.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I know we will likely lose Robinson and will lose Ali and Epps, but we have Levis coming back (who's a gamer - it's hard to make throws when defenders are constantly in your face) and Rodriguez should be back. Ox should be back healthy, and our secondary should get better. We do lose a lot on the front seven in Square, Pascal and McCall.

Schedule:

Miami (OH)
@Florida
Youngstown
Northern Illinois
@Ole Miss
South Carolina
Miss State
@Tennessee
@Mizzou
Vandy
Georgia
Louisville

I think 9-3 or 10-2 is attainable. I think anything worse than 8-4 would be considered a failure (7-5 or worse). Thoughts? I would love to win the East next year, because in 2023, we deal with Bama AND Georgia, and Florida and Tennessee appear to be on the way up with their recent hires.

Why should Robinson be back? He is a RSJR with a good many carries on his body. He is a very good back who's running style means he takes alot of hits. No idea what he will do but if anything he should get paid. Another year in college isn't going to make him faster and that is his lone weakness, imo.

 

[K_TIME]

I think we may have the pass rusher in either Wade or Fearby or the portal, Maggard acted like Wade could definitely contribute next year. Now the corner is huge, I feel pretty good about receiver. To me by far the biggest question is tackle, I mean if we lose that game yesterday this board would be in panic mode about tackle lol.

I have a hard time believing a true Fr will be ready for edge pass rusher in this league. Fearby is the size of some of our basketball players….he’s a ways away Keaton is bigger but I’m not sold for 2022

we have to get edge rusher from Portal

 

[LowCountryCat]

I would like to not have that "rotten egg" like we seem to do every year. (Tennessee in 18', South Carolina/Miss State in 19', Miss State in 21'). We need to stop being "one play away" against either Tennessee or Florida. Georgia will likely beat us, but I think we can win every other (but likely lose 1-2 more).

Yeah that 'one play' is the difference between 'good' and 'elite' which is Tier 1, where Georgia and Alabama reside.

Not sure our coach is elite level, though. He needs to take a step forward in order for us to.

 

[truebluewildcat]

11 wins and a big year for the offense, specifically Levis.

Next year needs to be a confirmation of what is essentially a new era for UK football which is transitioning from an older model to a new upgraded version that will be defined by offense.

I'm all for defense, we should have a good one...but it's a game defined by offense, specifically QBs/passing.

Old Tom Brady to the Bucs makes them an immediate Superbowl champ, and maybe 2 in a row. The hottest youngest defensive stud to the Bucs does not. It's that simple.

This offseason teams will be breaking banks, trading stars (probably from the defensive side) for old Aaron Rodgers, and okay Jimmy Garopolo...Why because running backs and DEs aren't taking teams to playoffs nor winning super bowls...QBs are.

Ole Miss overnight is a CFP contender...most folks far and wide probably couldn't tell you where Oxford is nor name anyone on the team except two people...Matt Coral...Lane Kiffin...offense...

UGA dominated Michigan, dog walked them and their stud DEs up and down the field, not with RBs but a QB...former walk on to boot...

CMS needs to give Coen complete autonomy to run the offensive side of the house and to let it rip.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I picked 8-4. We will lose to UGA and at Ole Miss will be tough and then we will lose to at least either FL or UT and maybe both.

We are going to new heights, but do not see this team anywhere close to actually winning the SEC East and taking that next step. If we beat 2/3 of UGA, UT and FL in the same season then maybe it happens. We haven't been able to do that yet unfortunately, come close, but that is moral victory territory.

 

[Rembrandt90]

I know we will likely lose Robinson and will lose Ali and Epps, but we have Levis coming back (who's a gamer - it's hard to make throws when defenders are constantly in your face) and Rodriguez should be back. Ox should be back healthy, and our secondary should get better. We do lose a lot on the front seven in Square, Pascal and McCall.

Wandale is a great player, and we will miss Josh Ali in Coach Coen's offense more than many people realize.

However, I am not worried about the skill positions. We have a lot of promising young playmakers, and more likely coming through the transfer portal. Tayvion Robinson, incoming from VA Tech, isn't Wandale but is a damn good player in his own right.

But the keys to 2022 will be retooling both lines and rebuilding our secondary. We have a good nucleus coming back, but incoming transfers will need to play a part. A year ago, Dare Rosenthal transferred in from LSU. We could lose Rosenthal to the draft, but we don't know yet. Yesterday, with Rosenthal not playing, it quickly became very obvious what a difference maker he has been.

We need OO back at 100%, and we need more quality depth on our DL. I am a bit concerned about the secondary because we lose so much back there, and because I'm not sure about the CB room yet. But I have to believe CB is another position to be impacted by incoming transfers.

 

[BigCat241]

Are you aware that we beat Florida this year, and that their team is in full- blown rebuild?

Are u aware they have beat us like 20 out of the past 21 times in Gainesville?

 

[jacobbleedsblue]

Are u aware they have beat us like 20 out of the past 21 times in Gainesville?

Man, I guess it just seems like you don't actually follow football that hard, which isn't a problem. I shouldn't let that get under my skin. Some of the rafters-mostly folks are so used to dumping on the football team that they almost seem irritated at the success, and they certainly don't understand how it's happening. I shouldn't get irritated about it and be hard on folks.
If this bowl game didn't boost confidence in next season, I don't know what to tell you. Plug a couple of key holes before the season starts, and we could really see something special. The schedule is actually pretty fantastic.