Is this the year we get the Respect we deserve?

[trueblujr2]

Assuming we take care of business the next couple of weeks and are able to go down to Oxford MS and hand Ole Miss an L, (we may even go into that game as an underdog.) Is that the tipping point to where we maybe become the darlings of the media and College Football? That we finally get the respect and attention we deserve as a program? Do we become the talk of College Football, the dark horses for the CFB Playoffs, etc.? Do we start getting treated as a College football power in the eyes of the media?

Stoops has built the program the right way. He's a class act, he doesn't stir the pot in the media too much. UK plays a more exciting brand of football now than it did in his first eight seasons. We have several legit big-time players that could be playing on ANYONES roster and will be playing on Sundays at some point. We're no longer a one or two year fluke, we have a solid foundation for future success as well.

Would a convincing win in Oxford signal that arrival?

 

[PhattyJ4UK]

It feels different. We've been here before. Numerous times lately. But it always felt like we were equal to the middle of the pack in sec and works win some and lose some. And also have a let down we shouldn't lose.

This year feels like we are a notch above everyone not need Georgia in the east. And if we can ve Mississippi state Champs, a 2 loss regular season is our floor

 

[WyleECoyote]

It feels different. We've been here before. Numerous times lately. But it always felt like we were equal to the middle of the pack in sec and works win some and lose some. And also have a let down we shouldn't lose.

This year feels like we are a notch above everyone not need Georgia in the east. And if we can ve Mississippi state Champs, a 2 loss regular season is our floor

We can't overlook going to Tennessee. Strange things happen there.

 

[JimboBBN]

If we go 10-2 in the regular season, at least playing Georgia tough, it will be hard for people to ignore Kentucky. 3 10 win seasons in 5 years including 2 back to back. We aren’t slowing down, either.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

The media I see and listen to respects UK now. Roland Harper is the only one I have heard say anything disrespectful towards UK and he is nothing but a Bama pumping homer.

 

[mrschwump]

Just keep winning.

 

[docholiday51]

Just keep winning.

As long as we win we will get respect but when we lose a game the media will go back near square 1

 

[BIG BLUE GURU]

Kentucky is getting plenty of respect from the talking heads I have listened too. This year has the chance to be similar to last year. We lost to Mississippi St and Tennessee. This year we have 3 of those toss up games in a row in October. Win 2 of those and we will earn the respect desired. Drop 2 or all 3 and we will just be another decent SEC team that may finish the 5th or 6th best team in the SEC. Time to take the next step.

 

[KYWC36]

At the end of the day, UK will never get the respect it should until it competes for an SEC title and maintains it. Right or wrong, that is just the facts. We may get praise and accolades but we will always be doubted and picked as underdogs against the big boys until we are truly battling and winning with the big boys routinely. As soon as we lose this year, we will be the same ole UK to the media. We have a lot of historically subpar football to overcome and credibility isn't instant in college football. Like others have said, all they should really focus on is to keep winning and to keep building the brand. If they do that, the true respect will come

 

[KYWC36]

If we go 10-2 in the regular season, at least playing Georgia tough, it will be hard for people to ignore Kentucky. 3 10 win seasons in 5 years including 2 back to back. We aren’t slowing down, either.

I hope not, but I worry about the QB spot next season as of today. Not to get ahead of ourselves and there is a lot of time left to solidify it, but as of right now that is a concern for me once Levis is gone

 

[trueblujr2]

We can't overlook going to Tennessee. Strange things happen there.

didn't mean for my post to come across as us being able to look past anyone. We all know we still aren't at a point where we can do that. My post was more about the media perception of our program.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

As long as we win we will get respect but when we lose a game the media will go back near square 1

Doc is spot on here. The Beauty is we could not lose!!!

 

[trueblujr2]

The media I see and listen to respects UK now. Roland Harper is the only one I have heard say anything disrespectful towards UK and he is nothing but a Bama pumping homer.

Yeah, they do to an extent, there always seems to still be the digs about our past or the hints of skepticism in their comments though. they always seem tempered. and when we play a traditional power, as we saw last Saturday, the announcers tend to slurp all over the power team until we punk them and they save face at the end of the game by heaping praise. How many of the gameday crew picked us to win that game?

 

[trueblujr2]

I hope not, but I worry about the QB spot next season as of today. Not to get ahead of ourselves and there is a lot of time left to solidify it, but as of right now that is a concern for me once Levis is gone

I'm not worried about the QB slot. It will get taken care of. We've had winning seasons with Stevie Johnson, We converted a WR to QB and went on a run that ended in a Bowl game win. We had Terry Wilson lead us to a Citrus Bowl win. Think about the quality of QB we've had before Levis and still managed to have success at a level this program has never seen before. I'm gonna trust the coaches to take care of the spot.

 

[AirRaid08]

I'm not worried about the QB slot. It will get taken care of. We've had winning seasons with Stevie Johnson, We converted a WR to QB and went on a run that ended in a Bowl game win. We had Terry Wilson lead us to a Citrus Bowl win. Think about the quality of QB we've had before Levis and still managed to have success at a level this program has never seen before. I'm gonna trust the coaches to take care of the spot.

I wonder if we have what we need for next season or do we hit the portal looking for another Levis?

 

[Bank Cat]

As long as we win we will get respect but when we lose a game the media will go back near square 1

This right here! After Chattanooga last year, it took us getting to 5-0 before we even got ranked. If TX A&M had beaten App State by a field goal, they would not have dropped at all and would have pundits making excuses on their behalf.

 

[WyleECoyote]

didn't mean for my post to come across as us being able to look past anyone. We all know we still aren't at a point where we can do that. My post was more about the media perception of our program.

Oh you're good man, I wasn't trying to dig at you, you just said we seem to be a notch above everyone not named Georgia, and I was just saying we can't overlook Tennessee as they are in that same tier as us right now nationally. We'll see once they play Florida next week where they stack up with us, whether they are even a tick above or a tick below, but right now we can't assume we're better than them by much if at all.

 

[Big Cat fan]

Respect? We haven't done to much yet. First time preseason ranks in over 40 years. No sec title game ever the First game in 1992. Haven't won the SEC in 71 years. A nothing but turning into something a little in the SEC. We have ways to go to get respect.

 

[trueblujr2]

I wonder if we have what we need for next season or do we hit the portal looking for another Levis?

Hoping we get to see a taste of what we have these next couple of weeks. though I'm pretty sure the portal will be hit for at least someone to compete for the job. This offense and the chance to throw to guys like Key and Brown should be pretty enticing for a quality QB.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

UK has already seen immense respect from the AP pollsters.
1st time UK ranked preseason in top 20 in AP in 44 yrs.
Then, after we gigged the Gators the AP rose UK 11 spots to #9.
Oh yeah Kentucky football is for real and the AP knows it.

 

[Deeeefense]

I think the reason the media has been slow to accept the rise of Kentucky football is that it defies history. Remember when Vandy had Franklin here and they were making a lot of noise for 2 or 3 season, they even beat Florida in the swamp. But most people thought, that's great but it's still Vandy, eventually they sink back to the bottom and they did. Suppose Duke starting winning a bunch of game, say they beat Miami, Clemson and several more big wins 3 years in a roll. Wouldn't be we saying yea but it's Duke, basketball is King there and they will eventfully slide back.

But because Stoops has now put together 10 win season and appears to be set for another 10 win plus season, and beating the likes of the LSUs and Florida of the world isn't a one time event any longer, the media is starting to accept the fact that Stoops has in fact broken through a historical glass ceiling and has indeed build something incredible at Kentucky.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

I think the reason the media has been slow to accept the rise of Kentucky football is that it defies history. Remember when Vandy had Franklin here and they were making a lot of noise for 2 or 3 season, they even beat Florida in the swamp. But most people thought, that's great but it's still Vandy, eventually they sink back to the bottom and they did. Suppose Duke starting winning a bunch of game, say they beat Miami, Clemson and several more big wins 3 years in a roll. Wouldn't be we saying yea but it's Duke, basketball is King there and they will eventfully slide back.

But because Stoops has now put together 10 win season and appears to be set for another 10 win plus season, and beating the likes of the LSUs and Florida of the world isn't a one time event any longer, the media is starting to accept the fact that Stoops has in fact broken through a historical glass ceiling and has indeed build something incredible at Kentucky.

Beating UT a few times including in Knoxville has helped perception as well. Knocking off Penn St. and Iowa in Citrus Bowls was big too.
The next step is beating Georgia, then Alabama and then the World!!!

 

[WyleECoyote]

UK has already seen immense respect from the AP pollsters.
1st time UK ranked preseason in top 20 in AP in 44 yrs.
Then, after we gigged the Gators the AP rose UK 11 spots to #9.
Oh yeah Kentucky football is for real and the AP knows it.

The polls have been weird this year.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

The polls have been weird this year.

Yeah ND was pre season top 5, they lose their 1st 2 games included at home to Marshall and the Irish our out of the top 25!
Has that ever happened before? I highly doubt it.

 

[WyleECoyote]

Yeah ND was pre season top 5, they lose their 1st 2 games included at home to Marshall and the Irish our out of the top 25!
Has that ever happened before? I highly doubt it.

Or like Texas going from unranked to #21 following a loss. When has a team ever gotten ranked because of a moral victory loss?

 

[NavyCat88]

Competing for championships brings respect. Until we win the SEC East and play in Atlanta--we won't get the respect from the average fan that WE BELIEVE we deserve.

Still, knowledgeable CFB fans and sportswriters know we're a program on the rise that fields a tough, talented, and fundamentally sound team. No one takes us for a pushover win anymore.

GBB!

 

[PersianCat387]

Assuming we take care of business the next couple of weeks and are able to go down to Oxford MS and hand Ole Miss an L, (we may even go into that game as an underdog.) Is that the tipping point to where we maybe become the darlings of the media and College Football? That we finally get the respect and attention we deserve as a program? Do we become the talk of College Football, the dark horses for the CFB Playoffs, etc.? Do we start getting treated as a College football power in the eyes of the media?

Stoops has built the program the right way. He's a class act, he doesn't stir the pot in the media too much. UK plays a more exciting brand of football now than it did in his first eight seasons. We have several legit big-time players that could be playing on ANYONES roster and will be playing on Sundays at some point. We're no longer a one or two year fluke, we have a solid foundation for future success as well.

Would a convincing win in Oxford signal that arrival?

Dang, I really hope so. The schedule has really set up perfectly for that. Ole Miss not having any big tests before us probably helps as they will be in for a bit of a shock from the quality of our defense and CRods return, along with what is hopefully a rested team.

I totally agree with your take on how Mark Stoops runs the program. Love the man and what he has built. Fell proud as a member of BBN. I do find it so strange though (and shows my age even though I'm only in my early 30s) that the perception of Kentucky amongst younger CFB fans around the country is sometimes that of a "dirty" and "arrogant" program. I don't give them any credence, but it is strange that when UK comes up in the young crowd, you see people throwing around clips of Kash's ankle twist and criticizing stoops for scoring at Georgia and throwing shade at Beamer as evidence of his cockiness.

 

[Eric4theUKWIN]

Maybe if we use a wr like we did with Roarke for the Tennessee game and let Levis sit that game out 😉. Anything possible.

 

[Lost In FL]

didn't mean for my post to come across as us being able to look past anyone. We all know we still aren't at a point where we can do that. My post was more about the media perception of our program.

I tell you something I have liked about this team so far ... not many missed tackles. Really none I can recall. I've seen several in tonight's high school game in louisville.

But I don't recall UK missing a lot of tackles so far this season. I think that speaks to talent, depth and coaching. i like the combo.

 

[PhattyJ4UK]

We can't overlook going to Tennessee. Strange things happen there.

Which is why I said 2 is our floor if we are Champs of state of Mississippi

 

[The-Hack]

I would argue that this is the year we are receiving respect.

Compare to 2018: we went on the road, beat a ranked UF in the second week, and it took three more wins to crack the top 25.

We were ranked pre-season, and the UF win propelled us to 9th.

It took a few years of winning football to overcome the decades of mediocrity in the minds of fans and voters.

 

[podgejeff_]

On the one hand: top 10 ranking. That says we're getting respect.

On the other hand: tons of media saying Florida beat themselves and/or are overrated, which is the usual treatment we get when we beat a good team. As if our strategy that had Florida beating themselves wasn't a super aggressive "take away everything and dare them to beat us with passing". We loaded that box and put in a spy, it's not like Richardson hates running.

Meanwhile Tennessee barely beats an ACC team with a backup quarterback in OT and OH MAN THEY'RE BACK. I trust nothing until SEC play starts sorting everyone out.

 

[The-Hack]

I trust nothing until SEC play starts sorting everyone out.

Most seasons can be broken into four parts:

(1) The beginning, when voters cast votes typically based upon long-held regional and even team bias. Hence the ACC can get 5 ranked teams, and even the PAC 12 can have a Top 10 team or two.

(2) The End of the Beginning, when a few games have been played, and the power of the top half of the SEC shines through with beat downs or upsets of the likes of Oregon and Utah, and suddenly, the SEC has 7 or 8 ranked teams.

(3) The Heart of Conference Play. This is when pretty good teams like UT might stumble, and lose their ranking with a mere 4-4 record in SEC play. Yet a team they beat, Pitt, might simultaneously regain luster by feasting on other ACC teams.

(4) Bowls and playoffs. A return to reality, as the SEC typically wins both the National Championship and most of the bowl matchups.

And it is amazing how often we rinse and repeat this cycle.

During our current winning streak against the Cards, @WildCard and other serious football fans have frequently posted season-long statistics showing a Cardinal advantage in multiple categories, based mostly upon their play against ACC foes, in comparison to
our play against primarily SEC foes. And by the last game of the year, they have often accumulated pretty impressive statistics against an ACC laden schedule.

But our 35 point average winning margin since 2018 tends to reveal the annual hoax: an SEC schedule is vastly different from an ACC schedule.

 

[podgejeff_]

Most seasons can be broken into four parts:

(1) The beginning, when voters cast votes typically based upon long-held regional and even team bias. Hence the ACC can get 5 ranked teams, and even the PAC 12 can have a Top 10 team or two.

(2) The End of the Beginning, when a few games have been played, and the power of the top half of the SEC shines through with beat downs or upsets of the likes of Oregon and Utah, and suddenly, the SEC has 7 or 8 ranked teams.

(3) The Heart of Conference Play. This is when pretty good teams like UT might stumble, and lose their ranking with a mere 4-4 record in SEC play. Yet a team they beat, Pitt, might simultaneously regain luster by feasting on other ACC teams.

(4) Bowls and playoffs. A return to reality, as the SEC typically wins both the National Championship and most of the bowl matchups.

And it is amazing how often we rinse and repeat this cycle.

During our current winning streak against the Cards, @WildCard and other serious football fans have frequently posted season-long statistics showing a Cardinal advantage in multiple categories, based mostly upon their play against ACC foes, in comparison to
our play against primarily SEC foes. And by the last game of the year, they have often accumulated pretty impressive statistics against an ACC laden schedule.

But our 35 point average winning margin since 2018 tends to reveal the annual hoax: an SEC schedule is vastly different from an ACC schedule.

That original bias is how these teams even regain some respect come bowl season. It's the thing we have to fight against every single year. Notre Dame lives off of this.

On the plus side, it's really gonna work for us if we can keep this up another twenty years. I swear some of the media still thinks it's the 90s.