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Kentucky Crystal Ball: Predicting every game for 2024
Let's take a look at Kentucky's 2024 outlook.
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I'm OK with this except for losing to USC Jr. It would also be nice to get one big upset...
Winning >7 games this season with the schedule we have is gonna be tough. We play, what, 8 or 9 preseason top 25 teams? I mean, yeah, I get it. We all want 8+ wins consistently. But, that's a tall order to win that many this year against what will be one of the toughest schedules in the country. Especially considering breaking in a new OC, a new QB, several new RBs, a secondary that is unproven thus far, at least 2 new starters on the OL, etc. Not saying it can't happen, just that it would be somewhat surprising if all the above proved to be just fine and we won the games we should, all/most of the tossup and at least one big upset.I'm not ok with a third straight 7-5/3-5 season. I've been a pretty big Stoops supporter over the years, but 3 years in a row of that and it's time to move on (although I know it wouldn't happen). Honestly, I'd rather us have a couple of bad seasons (4-8 type seasons) to move on to a different coach than to just sit in 7-5 mediocrity.
We play 4 teams in the preseason top 25. Last year, we played 5 teams that finished the season in the top 25. The year before, we played 4 teams that finished the season in the top 25. Our schedule this year is very comparable to our schedule last year, but actually set up much better.Winning >7 games this season with the schedule we have is gonna be tough. We play, what, 8 or 9 preseason top 25 teams? I mean, yeah, I get it. We all want 8+ wins consistently. But, that's a tall order to win that many this year against what will be one of the toughest schedules in the country. Especially considering breaking in a new OC, a new QB, several new RBs, a secondary that is unproven thus far, at least 2 new starters on the OL, etc. Not saying it can't happen, just that it would be somewhat surprising if all the above proved to be just fine and we won the games we should, all/most of the tossup and at least one big upset.
However, I don't get the love for USCjr. They've become the UofL of the SEC - preseason love, actual season mediocrity. Yes, they've beaten us recently but, on paper, I think we're superior to them this year. It's not a 'gimme' game by any means and we can't take them lightly, but I believe that would be an upset if they win.
We play 4 teams in the preseason top 25. Last year, we played 5 teams that finished the season in the top 25. The year before, we played 4 teams that finished the season in the top 25. Our schedule this year is very comparable to our schedule last year, but actually set up much better.
I just cannot get on board with 7-5 seasons over and over again.
This is the best Kentucky squad that Stoops has had at Kentucky - when you consider the whole team and the coaching staff as well! I will not be shocked with another 10 season win personally. South Carolina will get a but stomping from us as well. We owe them and this group is going to lay the wood to them - think of Florida last year!![]()
Kentucky Crystal Ball: Predicting every game for 2024
Let's take a look at Kentucky's 2024 outlook.www.saturdaydownsouth.com
I'm OK with this except for losing to USC Jr. It would also be nice to get one big upset...
I’d love for that to happen but Stoops doesn’t lay the wood to anyone. He gets up on teams and then goes conservative.This is the best Kentucky squad that Stoops has had at Kentucky - when you consider the whole team and the coaching staff as well! I will not be shocked with another 10 season win personally. South Carolina will get a but stomping from us as well. We owe them and this group is going to lay the wood to them - think of Florida last year!
Go Big Blue!
I agree, but there are way too many voices that say “well, at least it’s slightly better than it used to be.” Heck, I turned on KSR a couple days ago and Jones was saying 6 wins should be celebrated because 14 years ago or whatever it was, Joker (the worst coach in UK football history) got blown out by Vandy. That’s the mindset we’re dealing withI'm not ok with a third straight 7-5/3-5 season. I've been a pretty big Stoops supporter over the years, but 3 years in a row of that and it's time to move on (although I know it wouldn't happen). Honestly, I'd rather us have a couple of bad seasons (4-8 type seasons) to move on to a different coach than to just sit in 7-5 mediocrity.
Missouri game may end up being our most important game when it all shakes out. They might be top 10 when we play.The way things worked out with schedules not many easy schedules in SEC. Missouri has one that may not be as tough as the divisional schedule. Everyone else seemed to get a tougher one some how.
Yeah, someone didn’t think that through. Lots of people I know are wanting Beamer gone, his love affair is over. I’m calling 8-4 this year with an outside shot at 9-3 if we can pull an upset at OM or UT, all depends on BV and the o-line.Strange that have us losing at home to SC yet beating FL & AU.
Missouri game may end up being our most important game when it all shakes out. They might be top 10 when we play.
We don't play Missouri this season.Missouri game may end up being our most important game when it all shakes out. They might be top 10 when we play.
Um, this is football. The best team doesn't win every week and upsets happen. This is entirely plausible.Yeah, someone didn’t think that through. Lots of people I know are wanting Beamer gone, his love affair is over. I’m calling 8-4 this year with an outside shot at 9-3 if we can pull an upset at OM or UT, all depends on BV and the o-line.
This is the game I picked for my Lexington visit this season. I believe we owe them one from the last visit they had here and it being a Saturday afternoon game should be fun.Cannot lose to South Carolina.Just CANT.. Its a season killer. If we ever to hope to get anywhere near the top of the conference we cannot lose to them.
I’d love for that to happen but Stoops doesn’t lay the wood to anyone. He gets up on teams and then goes conservative.
7-5 is a more than generous prediction from any unbiased source.7-5 is the most likely outcome considering we have no idea about the offense. UGA, Tennessee and Texas are losses. We’ve played ole miss tough but I doubt we beat them in the road. That’s 4 Ls already and we always lose one we shouldn’t.
7-5 is a more than generous prediction from any unbiased source.
It will be a tough season if Brock and Chip are a little less than advertised.
The @Florida game will be tough.
They have a killer schedule where they are underdogs and that's why I can't see Napier surviving a home loss to UK.
I think they can Napier with a loss and let an interim run the gauntlet of Georgia, Texas, LSU, Ole Miss and FSU.
Goal needs to be to win 8. We have 4 REALLY tough games but we need to go into this season expecting to win the other 8. Florida isn't good, South Carolina is down, Auburn is down, Louisville we own. Not even entertaining the idea of losing to Southern Miss or Vandy or Ohio or Murray.
Stoops has done a good job at UK, but he needs to not have a South Carolina or Missouri type of game from last season.Road to a "good" season :
Cupcakes (4) - S. Miss / Vandy / Ohio U / Murray State
Must wins (3) - SC (@home) / Auburn (@home) / Louisville (@home)
That is 7 "good chance of happening" wins.
Possible upsets (2) - @ Florida / @ Ole Miss (will be very tough)
For sure losses (3) - Georgia / UT / Texas
Win the 7 we have a really good shot at winning, beat either UF / Ole Miss and 8-4 is POSSIBLE.
Lose 2/3 or all 3 of the "must wins" and both upset chances and the season goes off the rails, 5-7, 4-8 not out of the question.
So in short, WTF knows. The 3 games against USC / Auburn / Louisville are VERY important to UK making some noise. At WORST, they must win 2/3 of those. Good news is the 3 most important games needed to win are all at home. Bad news is, both of the possible upsets are on the road. How UK plays in road games will determine whether or not the season is considered good / average or bad.
because we all know HS WR come out and dominate in college. Not. What did they LOSE from last year ? You fail to mention that ?Think you may be under estimating AU. The hit the portal hard, maybe 4-5 starters and killed HS WR recruiting. Played us tough and lost to Bama on a 4th and 31 play