Help Me Understand. I Thought We Had The Best & Most Talent Ever?

[Kampus Korner]

I confess I’m just a fan who saw his first UK game 63 years ago. I’m not a football coach. My knowledge about football is derived from playing the sport as a youth, reading about it, attending games, watching games on TV, talking to former coaches and others who I consider to have much more football acumen than me. Given this base of knowledge, such as it is, it is my clear understanding from what has been shared publicly about Stoops’ recruiting success that this year’s team is supposed to be the deepest and most talented UK team since Stoops became the coach, if not since the Bear coached UK. Have I been laboring under a grossly erroneous understanding? If not, help me understand why this year‘s team appears to play at best like the first Stoops‘ teams and at worst like the teams coached by John Ray? I’m seriously seeking your words of wisdom.

 

[UKAlum84]

Words of wisdom:

You're Correct.

 

[UKAlum84]

And I dont mean that as a joke. Its apparent something is wildly wrong with this team, right now.

 

[ukalum1988]

John Ray was before my time but the team’s performance last night was very reminiscent of Stoops first team in 2013. But at least the 2013 team had the valid excuse of having a talent depleted roster. The team last night had no heart, no energy, no nothing.

To the OP’s point, Bill Curry had some really bad teams as well, and we are not that bad…..yet.

 

[Short-Dawg-69]

Just look at the talent Texas AM got and has.
We may not be as talented on paper as them but basically I think our problem maybe the same as them.
Basically player development.
Our new OC and Oline coach need to step back and regroup and regather theirselves.

UK has the talent it’s Stoops job to ensure those player have coaches in place to prep and develop that talent to the fullest.

Never overlook any SEC team or any team for that matter.

 

[bthaunert]

My thoughts:

1. Our QB, RB, WR and TE’s combined have a ton of talent. Best ever? Who knows. .

2. The lack of protection by the O Line and the lack of pressure on the QB prove that winning in the SEC is won at the line of scrimmage. Potentially our least talented group combined on the OL and DL that we’ve had in awhile.

We are still a decent team capable of winning games, but the weakness in the lines make it razor thin.

 

[mrschwump]

I confess I’m just a fan who saw his first UK game 63 years ago. I’m not a football coach. My knowledge about football is derived from playing the sport as a youth, reading about it, attending games, watching games on TV, talking to former coaches and others who I consider to have much more football acumen than me. Given this base of knowledge, such as it is, it is my clear understanding from what has been shared publicly about Stoops’ recruiting success that this year’s team is supposed to be the deepest and most talented UK team since Stoops became the coach, if not since the Bear coached UK. Have I been laboring under a grossly erroneous understanding? If not, help me understand why this year‘s team appears to play at best like the first Stoops‘ teams and at worst like the teams coached by John Ray? I’m seriously seeking your words of wisdom.

I don't know about wisdom but I do know this much: If these guys aren't focused and prepared they'll struggle. Any college athlete will. Part of that is on the coaches of course but a lot of it is on the player. Don't know if the Ole Miss game lingered, probably did, a lot of UK guys didn't look like they knew what they were doing. The opening trick play was a huge mistake, wherever the blame lays. The TV guys said UK was trying to be "too cute" with that play. It just put them behind the 8-ball from the get-go. We can only hope they'll go into the next game with more prep and focus. They've dug themselves a mighty deep hole.

 

[rolaid]

It’s so simple - it’s a LOS league and our Oline is the absolute worst in the conference and Dline not much better

 

[UKWildcats1987]

The other teams we play have talent as well and most have better line play. The best talent ever at UK may not mean much playing in the SEC as it is vicious competition.

 

[mrschwump]

The other teams we play have talent as well and most have better line play. The best talent ever at UK may not mean much playing in the SEC as it is vicious competition.

Think sometimes people forget UK's opponents are on scholarship and have coaching staffs too.

 

[Rockfly78]

If your lines aren’t stout then your skill player talent really doesn’t matter that much. Our line play is not where it needs to be.

 

[aikenite4uk]

I confess I’m just a fan who saw his first UK game 63 years ago. I’m not a football coach. My knowledge about football is derived from playing the sport as a youth, reading about it, attending games, watching games on TV, talking to former coaches and others who I consider to have much more football acumen than me. Given this base of knowledge, such as it is, it is my clear understanding from what has been shared publicly about Stoops’ recruiting success that this year’s team is supposed to be the deepest and most talented UK team since Stoops became the coach, if not since the Bear coached UK. Have I been laboring under a grossly erroneous understanding? If not, help me understand why this year‘s team appears to play at best like the first Stoops‘ teams and at worst like the teams coached by John Ray? I’m seriously seeking your words of wisdom.

You know, one of those "most talented" players is an elite level QB who was injured and didn't play. I do agree it appears perhaps the coaches overrated the O Line, or they over estimated how quickly they would jell.

 

[IFerg1969]

It’s so simple - it’s a LOS league and our Oline is the absolute worst in the conference and Dline not much better

How is a D line with so many 4 stars and even one 5 star player so bad? The line backers are supposed to be pretty good too. I know they’re conservative, but at the very least, this team should be stout against the run. I know White will be a hot head coaching name. But I’m sorry, they’ve feasted against bad teams but have just been okay against decent teams. I don’t get the fascination with him really.

 

[Cefiro]

Stoops is a good recruiter but a mediocre coach and a terrible in game decision maker.

 

[NCPurplecat]

O Line not SEC quality at this point. Line has Talent but needs work. Injuries on D with big hit at Safety has also hurt the team. O line took care of the Offense for a number of years but this year team needed a scheme that lowers the stress on the line and Pro Style blicking scheme does not do that. The lateral passes is an attempt to use the unique and fast talent at receiver but that is not sustainable without any down field ability. USC stacked the box with 8 and unlike Northern Illinois game UK did not exploit it with FY QB. Talent is still there but Missouri, Louisville and Vanderbilt now must wins that at least get a bowl game. MISS State and Tenn now opportunity games to beat ranked opponents. Not what we wanted but a packed Kroger Field will keep the grad transfers coming. A lot of the above was discussed by the announcers last night. At least Weaver came back.

 

[billoliver40]

It seems all issues begin with the lines.
Both of them. Instead of attacking, they seem to rock back and take it....or try to

Need some motivational fire of some type.

 

[RingoLucky]

There’s a few posters here that still think we do

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Got hosed in Ole Miss
Didnt have Levis v South Carolina

That was easy enough.

 

[KillerKat14]

Just look at the talent Texas AM got and has.
We may not be as talented on paper as them but basically I think our problem maybe the same as them.
Basically player development.
Our new OC and Oline coach need to step back and regroup and regather theirselves.

UK has the talent it’s Stoops job to ensure those player have coaches in place to prep and develop that talent to the fullest.

Never overlook any SEC team or any team for that matter.

Main difference between 2 teams is A&M don’t have a QB. UK on other hand has a first round pick QB and still can’t beat one of the worst teams in conference at home. I think Stoops has worried so much about getting better in passing gave that he forgot who this program is. I have to agree with Roman Harper this team is soft. We get beat physically in every game.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I confess I’m just a fan who saw his first UK game 63 years ago. I’m not a football coach. My knowledge about football is derived from playing the sport as a youth, reading about it, attending games, watching games on TV, talking to former coaches and others who I consider to have much more football acumen than me. Given this base of knowledge, such as it is, it is my clear understanding from what has been shared publicly about Stoops’ recruiting success that this year’s team is supposed to be the deepest and most talented UK team since Stoops became the coach, if not since the Bear coached UK. Have I been laboring under a grossly erroneous understanding? If not, help me understand why this year‘s team appears to play at best like the first Stoops‘ teams and at worst like the teams coached by John Ray? I’m seriously seeking your words of wisdom.

One of the things gs many fans overlook and not just UK fans is, every team has good players even Vandy. Plus look at the coaching changes over just the 10 years Stoops has been here, several are on their 3rd coach in 10 years. Teams are recruiting better, portal is helping with immediate fixes, shouldn't be any 3-4 rebuilds.

 

[Kampus Korner]

You know, one of those "most talented" players is an elite level QB who was injured and didn't play. I do agree it appears perhaps the coaches overrated the O Line, or they over estimated how quickly they would jell.

I know Levis was out injured and that he’s a prime time player but this supposedly talented team even struggled against supposedly much less talented teams when Levis was in the game. I think most of us believed this year’s team would be one of UK’s best ever considering our previous progress and build up in recruiting talent. It doesn’t appear this team will come close to being one of UK’s best. Is this because us fans had unrealistic expectations? Have we misjudged the talent we supposedly had or something else?

 

[megablue]

Think sometimes people forget UK's opponents are on scholarship and have coaching staffs too.

… and they are trying to win, too !!

 

[sluggercatfan]

I don't know about wisdom but I do know this much: If these guys aren't focused and prepared they'll struggle. Any college athlete will. Part of that is on the coaches of course but a lot of it is on the player. Don't know if the Ole Miss game lingered, probably did, a lot of UK guys didn't look like they knew what they were doing. The opening trick play was a huge mistake, wherever the blame lays. The TV guys said UK was trying to be "too cute" with that play. It just put them behind the 8-ball from the get-go. We can only hope they'll go into the next game with more prep and focus. They've dug themselves a mighty deep hole.

Coach Stoops better have his sight on a 35+ pt .game or it'll be a long night.

 

[Crums Bald Spot]

Stoops is a good recruiter but a mediocre coach and a terrible in game decision maker.

Exactly. He's a good coach for UK but not a great coach and I doubt he'll ever be as he continues to ride the train that got him to his ceiling

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

We are conservative on offense and defense. Like we play not to lose instead of going for the kill.

 

[Soupbean]

Think sometimes people forget UK's opponents are on scholarship and have coaching staffs too.

Yep this ^^^. Outside of Bama and UGA the talent level at the other 14 (with maybe the exception of Vandy) is razor thin. A few difference makers, coaching and breaks (tornovers and mistakes good and bad) usually makes the rest of the difference.

 

[cat_in_the_hat]

I confess I’m just a fan who saw his first UK game 63 years ago. I’m not a football coach. My knowledge about football is derived from playing the sport as a youth, reading about it, attending games, watching games on TV, talking to former coaches and others who I consider to have much more football acumen than me. Given this base of knowledge, such as it is, it is my clear understanding from what has been shared publicly about Stoops’ recruiting success that this year’s team is supposed to be the deepest and most talented UK team since Stoops became the coach, if not since the Bear coached UK. Have I been laboring under a grossly erroneous understanding? If not, help me understand why this year‘s team appears to play at best like the first Stoops‘ teams and at worst like the teams coached by John Ray? I’m seriously seeking your words of wisdom.

I think people, myself included, seriously underestimated the drop off on the offensive line. If this team had a typical UK offensive line, it might be the best Stoops has put on the field. I think the talent is there, but offensive lines have to play as a unit. This one isn't. I suspect it's a combination of inexperience, not playing together for very long, and a complicated system. Perhaps at some point the system might have to be dumbed down. I don't know. But I think it all boils down to the offensive line play and not being a coach that sees them every day, it's impossible to know exactly why they aren't better than they are. I suspect they will be good at some point, but it may not be this year.

 

[cat888]

Our new OC came from the Pro's could it be he didn't understand the need for in-depth technique needed to be taught to these three and low four star College players some of which was in Highschool last year?

 

[Caveman Catfan]

New to football?

 

[Backer cutter]

I know Levis was out injured and that he’s a prime time player but this supposedly talented team even struggled against supposedly much less talented teams when Levis was in the game. I think most of us believed this year’s team would be one of UK’s best ever considering our previous progress and build up in recruiting talent. It doesn’t appear this team will come close to being one of UK’s best. Is this because us fans had unrealistic expectations? Have we misjudged the talent we supposedly had or something else?

Think it’s a combination of things. Offensive line has no cohesion, may take a year to get it. WL has been transformed into a Cal recruit instead of a Stoops recruit. Players, and to an extent, coaches, bought into the hype. Lost their appetite. Thought they had arrived, and that’s a huge mistake for a program like ours. Gotta stay hungry and never be satisfied. Having said all that, I still believe our program will keep improving over the next few years. But yeah, this year isn’t looking great.