Schedule -- UK plays only 2 teams ranked in the preseason top 25, 1 top 20

[STL_Cat]

Just glancing over our schedule again since all the preseason rankings have been released. We have two teams on our entire schedule ranked in the preseason top 25 -- #21 Ole Miss and #3 Georgia.

In terms of preseason rankings, I can't recall another season where we had this few top 25 opponents on the schedule. Has it ever happened?

 

[Johnfarrel]

Just glancing over our schedule again since all the preseason rankings have been released. We have two teams on our entire schedule ranked in the preseason top 25 -- #21 Ole Miss and #3 Georgia.

In terms of preseason rankings, I can't recall another season where we had this few top 25 opponents on the schedule. Has it ever happened?

I don't rember it ever happening. Four is usually the fewest.

 

[fabcat]

Tenn will be ranked when we play them. If Florida beats Utah they will be ranked in week 2. I don’t think our schedule is weak, we have 3 very difficult road games in Florida, Tenn, and Ole Miss.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Just glancing over our schedule again since all the preseason rankings have been released. We have two teams on our entire schedule ranked in the preseason top 25 -- #21 Ole Miss and #3 Georgia.

In terms of preseason rankings, I can't recall another season where we had this few top 25 opponents on the schedule. Has it ever happened?

Think I've seen we're ranked like 20. That's all we should care about. The rankings of the rest of the teams is not our problem. We win them all and we're playing for the NC. GOCATS!!

 

[STL_Cat]

Think I've seen we're ranked like 20. That's all we should care about. The rankings of the rest of the teams is not our problem. We win them all and we're playing for the NC. GOCATS!!

Agreed, I was just making what I thought was an interesting observation?

 

[STL_Cat]

FYI — not throwing shade or saying we have a weak schedule. Just can’t remember seeing only 2 ranked teams on our schedule, ever.

 

[CB3UK]

Clemson has made the CFP on worse schedules. Apologize for nothing.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

Win the games you play and everything takes care of itself. Being preseason ranked is a good start. Now go win.

 

[NavyCat88]

The preseason rankings of our opponents (and us for that matter) mean nothing. Strength of schedule takes on meaning only late in the season IF you are a big winner across the balance of your season (10+ wins) AND a handful of your opponents also have winning records.

Beating the 10th ranked tigers from Big State U in week 2 means nothing if they go 2-10 on the season. Conversely, if you beat the pre-season unranked MudDogs and they go 9-3 on the season and are ranked 15th in December....it is noteworthy to those evaluating your level of difficulty.

This year: We could see longstanding tough-outs like UGA, newly improved and ranked Ole Miss, as well as likely-to-be-improved opponents in the form of UF, UT, USCJr, and yes....Vandy. I'm thankful we get MSU at home, and for some reason I am not too concerned about Mizzou. I still think we mud-hole stomp the Cards.

Bottom line: We might face 4 teams that will be ranked at season's end (when rankings count) plus another 4+ teams that will be unranked but bowl eligible. It only matters if we beat 10 or more of them for an unprecedented season of success for us.

GBB!

 

[The-Hack]

With the growth of inter-conference SEC games from 6 in the 1980’s to 8 (and soon to be 9), an unusually strong illusion has been created.

Look at all the ACC teams ranked pre-season. How many of them would have a chance in Hell to win if visiting LSU, Florida, etc. Would Wake Forest stay within single digits at Death Valley, Auburn or Florida?

Nine ACC programs recruited below Vandy’s last-place SEC finish of 35th, last year.

Teams that finish the season 9-4 or better are typically ranked. NC State has become a fixture in the final rankings because they can pull out a 9 win season pretty regularly in the ACC.

But when an 8 win NC State team played a 4 win Kentucky team in the Covid year Gator Bowl, Vegas nailed the final spread favoring Kentucky.

Prior to the Louisville game last year, Card fans on their forum convinced themselves that the SEC was weak, because we had handled UF and LSU (handily). After the beat down, even their Coach was left saying, “We were competitive in all our games except the SEC games.”

I believe there are .500 SEC teams yearly that could beat the bottom 10 of each year’s final Top 25.

That is how lopsided college football has become.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Agreed, I was just making what I thought was an interesting observation?

Understand...a lot make observations insuating we should play 3 t25 ooc schedule. I think it's !a crazy idea. Happy with where we are. Like seeing young kids get some pt experience.

 

[Oldfootballguy]

The preseason rankings of our opponents (and us for that matter) mean nothing. Strength of schedule takes on meaning only late in the season IF you are a big winner across the balance of your season (10+ wins) AND a handful of your opponents also have winning records.

Beating the 10th ranked tigers from Big State U in week 2 means nothing if they go 2-10 on the season. Conversely, if you beat the pre-season unranked MudDogs and they go 9-3 on the season and are ranked 15th in December....it is noteworthy to those evaluating your level of difficulty.

This year: We could see longstanding tough-outs like UGA, newly improved and ranked Ole Miss, as well as likely-to-be-improved opponents in the form of UF, UT, USCJr, and yes....Vandy. I'm thankful we get MSU at home, and for some reason I am not too concerned about Mizzou. I still think we mud-hole stomp the Cards.

Bottom line: We might face 4 teams that will be ranked at season's end (when rankings count) plus another 4+ teams that will be unranked but bowl eligible. It only matters if we beat 10 or more of them for an unprecedented season of success for us.

GBB!

We beat Missouri by 1 touchdown last year. The year before they beat the crap our of us at their place. Missouri will not be an easy win.