It was obvious - it looked like a junior high team playing a good college team. Tennessee with its enormous recruiting advantages from the past was a team full of 5 star and high 4 star players to go along with some very nice high 3 star players. Everyone has acknowledged the high recruiting classes - and after watching last night I can see why the Tennessee fans were ver upset with Butch Jones. You could tell this was going to be a massacre early on - why - Butch Jones was laughing and didn't seem to have a care in the world. He knew we were outmanned - so he didn't have to choke up or really make any real coaching decisions. I don't know if Coach Stoops would have done anymore with that team - but he certainly couldn't have done any worse.
We were really exposed last night as to talent and the lack of depth we have. Tennessee has lots of injuries as well - but Tennessee is virtually FOUR deep. While we have been the deepest since I can remember - UK started the season with an almost two deep lineup. Injuries have taken us to barely deep enough.
I expected this loss, like many, from the start of the season - quite honestly Tennessee has the most talent of any team we will/would face - and they showed it last night. I said I thought we could win 8 to 9 games early - guess what - I still think we can! The defense was exposed last night for it's lack of speed, depth and talent. Yes coaches can do somethings to help players - they can teach technique and positioning, but they can't touch speed and much superior strength. We can still get to a nice bowl game and build on this season. The question is how banged up are we and what is the team's morale like now.
It is obvious we are building a model to look like Mississippi State - and I fully agree with doing it that way - it takes a minimum of 5 and usually six years to get to the level of talent and experience building that way. But we are doing it! It is not time to get down on the kids or the program - it is time to renew our commitment and continue to support the team and the coaches. The sky is not falling, but it is raining like h... this morning after a severe thunderstorm last night. There is light in the Western sky - but it's not here yet!
Go Big Blue!
We were really exposed last night as to talent and the lack of depth we have. Tennessee has lots of injuries as well - but Tennessee is virtually FOUR deep. While we have been the deepest since I can remember - UK started the season with an almost two deep lineup. Injuries have taken us to barely deep enough.
I expected this loss, like many, from the start of the season - quite honestly Tennessee has the most talent of any team we will/would face - and they showed it last night. I said I thought we could win 8 to 9 games early - guess what - I still think we can! The defense was exposed last night for it's lack of speed, depth and talent. Yes coaches can do somethings to help players - they can teach technique and positioning, but they can't touch speed and much superior strength. We can still get to a nice bowl game and build on this season. The question is how banged up are we and what is the team's morale like now.
It is obvious we are building a model to look like Mississippi State - and I fully agree with doing it that way - it takes a minimum of 5 and usually six years to get to the level of talent and experience building that way. But we are doing it! It is not time to get down on the kids or the program - it is time to renew our commitment and continue to support the team and the coaches. The sky is not falling, but it is raining like h... this morning after a severe thunderstorm last night. There is light in the Western sky - but it's not here yet!
Go Big Blue!
