I’d be fine with rotating UofL out for games against WVU, UNC, etc. every other year. I want to play those teams too while UK is good and they are infinitely better options that scheduling a cupcake.
Should we keep or drop the U of L Game with the 9 Game SEC Meat-grinder?
- Thread starter The-Hack
- Start date
With the playoff expanding to 12, a significant amount of schools now have a possible path that previously did not. They all will be jostling for a ticket. How do you differentiate? The most common method will be to beef up the SOS to stick out.
UL, at this point and the foreseeable future, represents an easy P5 OOC for win for UK. To say it will do nothing for UK is incorrect, IMO. Over the last few seasons, it has been proven that it is easier for us to beat UL than pick up that elusive 6th SEC win to put us in the top tier. If that continues, a win against UL will look much better than a win against Akron.
Based on 2018 and 2021, it very well could be the difference between ranking 12th or 13th.
UL, at this point and the foreseeable future, represents an easy P5 OOC for win for UK. To say it will do nothing for UK is incorrect, IMO. Over the last few seasons, it has been proven that it is easier for us to beat UL than pick up that elusive 6th SEC win to put us in the top tier. If that continues, a win against UL will look much better than a win against Akron.
Based on 2018 and 2021, it very well could be the difference between ranking 12th or 13th.
They either don't care what is the overall best for the program, too naive to understand or are just thrill seekers and winning a championship not even on their mind and haven't even thought about the best way to get there. Only thing I can figure. They probably don't even know Stoops thoughts on it or even care enough what he has to say about it.
There is absolutely no advantage to continuing to play UofL. First, a 9 game SEC schedule is going to be brutal. Second, if we are going to use our 10th game to play another Power 5 school, we would be better served to open a pathway to a game that has the potential to put Kentucky either in a key recruiting area (Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, etc) or on a National Game that will increase our exposure.
UofL does nothing to benefit Kentucky. Beating some sad sack middle of the road ACC team does not help us. If that is the route we are going to take, at least schedule UVA, Pitt or UNC to help with recruiting. Losing to UofL hurts us, and beating UofL provides no more advantage than beating Akron or UL-Monroe.
If Oklahoma can stop playing Nebraska, Texas can stop playing the Aggies, Michigan can stop playing Minnesota in the oldest rivalry game in existence and the college football world didn't stop, then no on one is going to even notice Kentucky and Louisville no longer playing.
UofL does nothing to benefit Kentucky. Beating some sad sack middle of the road ACC team does not help us. If that is the route we are going to take, at least schedule UVA, Pitt or UNC to help with recruiting. Losing to UofL hurts us, and beating UofL provides no more advantage than beating Akron or UL-Monroe.
If Oklahoma can stop playing Nebraska, Texas can stop playing the Aggies, Michigan can stop playing Minnesota in the oldest rivalry game in existence and the college football world didn't stop, then no on one is going to even notice Kentucky and Louisville no longer playing.
Of course it’s easier for us to be the most southern MAC team with 3 conference games vs. playing UL.
I do agree with Boots that with the new big money TV deal, ESPN and the league will require a P5 OOC game. So if you would rather rotate through a home and home with IU, WVU, UC, or UL, I can see the attraction. But I do question ESPN‘s interest in promoting teams where they have to share with a rival network.
I do agree with Boots that with the new big money TV deal, ESPN and the league will require a P5 OOC game. So if you would rather rotate through a home and home with IU, WVU, UC, or UL, I can see the attraction. But I do question ESPN‘s interest in promoting teams where they have to share with a rival network.
You just don’t know your history. EKU stomped UL and folks were talking about them dropping football. UK got a series going with them and basically UL built a new stadium so they could have a home and away with us. UK saved their FB program. We owe them nothing!!
I understand message boards fans arrogance. The UK series “basically built them a new stadium”? One game per year built them a new stadium? Bonding built them a new stadium because their old was trash and was falling apart. The same reason the triple A baseball team left there, I guess the UK football game built them Slugger Field too.
LOL, y’all are just scared to lose to UL. No fanbase runs from rivalries like UK message board fans.
There will be at least 3 teams playing 10 P5 schools when we go to 9 SEC games. Carolina won't drop Clemson, UF won't drop FSU and UGA won't drop GT. UGA has played 10 several years. Be a scramble getting in the playoffs because likely to be several 1 and 2 loss teams. Quality wins are going to be important factors.
Troll, troll, troll your boat.
Yup, anyone doesn’t fall in line with group thought no matter how ignorant is a troll. Being called a troll for not being a sheep.
Already given you more time than you deserve....bye-bye.
What is your thought on Stoops and Barnhart saying that it would probably be best for the program to drop UL if go to a nine game SEC schedule?
To be real…
1. We have more legit kids out of Etown, Lexington with Douglas Fredrick than Louisville. Guys like Goodwin being a bust, Cummings, Crumes, , the Ballard Lber a few years back. Jefferson county kids just aren’t that good for a while now
2. I’m sure rest of state kids could care less about UK playing UL. It’s the sec teams they want to measure up against
I disagree with Stoops and Barnhart. Rivalry games and tradition matters, it’s what college football is all about.
What do you think about joining the AAC and leaving the SEC? We would make less money but would have a better shit at the playoffs like Cincinnati when they went in 2022. We could play 8 AAC games 1 big name program 2 MAC and an FCS school. We would win 10 games most years and have a good shot at going undefeated and sneaking into the playoffs in others.
So you know what is best for the program over Stoops? His talk has always been about winning the SEC championship game. Wonder why he thinks UL does not help accomplish this? Do you not even know how tough it is to get a team of 3 and 4 star recruits on top of their game for 8 and maybe 9 teams in by far the toughest conference? UL will be getting much better so that will be ten games we better be at the top of our game. What teams in the SEC can do that other than GA and AL with their 4 and 5 stars. Every game is crucial to make that 12 team playoff, which is what any sensible fan should want and care about over a useless UL game that only helps them and does very little for us.
Our history is SEC and we have made great strides in climbing the ladder under Stoops. I wouldn't want to go down. Being in the best conference is where we belong. One of the reasons we get so many 4 star recruits now. If we can get to that 12 team playoff maybe we start getting a couple of 5 star recruits and more 4 stars. Let's see what happens with Coen and Boulware this year. Stoops keeps pecking away with the coaching and recruiting, we could eventually get to that next level as long as he is trying to make the program better anyway possible. He has a hunger for the SEC championship and is a tireless worker. That is his focus. Has said there is a lot of work to get there but it is nice having a coach not resting on what he has done and wants more.
I’m not a sheep and have my own opinions. If you’re scared you’re scared, I’m not scared of UL.
You sure it’s not MAC schools they want to measure up against because playing MAC schools seems to be perfectly fine opposed to playing a rival.
You came at me calling me a troll. You should have just kept your mouth shut instead of accusing me of something I’m not because I have a different opinion. LOL at given me time.
9 game SEC slate is what kids come to SEC schools for...3 non conference games don't matter.
It's obvious you're a UL fan on this thread as you're hammering on every poster on this thread as you know UL needs it and UK....really does not. And especially now that we've established so much dominance in the series....we need it even less than we ever had.
All the kids know in Jefferson County little brother is back to who they are....we're chasing down upper tier SEC and tryign to stay above middle tier SEC schools. UL is not on our radar anymore. Go back to selling tickets in a Kroger news ad!
Yeah, everyone who doesn’t fall in line with the sheep culture on this board is a UL fan or a troll. Imagine a fan wanting to keep a rivalry game. That’s ridiculous to the sheep on this board apparently. Just because I don’t agree with your arrogance doesn’t make me a UL fan.
Again with the does nothing for us nonsense but playing Nothern Illinois and Central Michigan does. I’ve gotten something out of every beatdown the last 4 years and so did our players, not so much out of beating MAC schools.
Imagine chasing down upper tier SEC schools but being scared to play UL.
You just run your mouth and don’t have a clue. The UK game was played at our field until UL built a new stadium. It was the driving force to get it done. Go back and look things up. UL was in shambles. I guess EKU didn’t destroy them. UL does zero to help UK.
Why do you think a hardened SEC coach and SEC caliber players be scared to play a program like UL. Pretty stupid to think that. Again, guarantee nobody scared, just wanting to do what is best to grow the program.
That 12 team playoff will only be around a few years - it will be 16 before we can get use to 12. So, play a better schedule and get in the field. Lets face it, as I have said many times - "to be the best - you must beat the best." UK is going to be much stronger the next few years than many on here believe. The 7-5 folks still are not seeing what is being built here! Stoops has put together the best coaching and recruiting staff in UK's history- even the one that Blanton Collier had! It is going to pay off big time. UK is transitioning to a consistent very good football team right before most of your eyes! UK was set up to do much better this year than it did - but most of that problem was fixed this off season.
Bring em all on - play anyone and fear no one!
Go Big Blue!
DROP IT. Would rather have more home games. Beating up on a school you're supposed to beat up on doesn't do much for me anymore.
So using your logic...
- Why not play your 3 non conference games as UL, Clemson, Ohio St? The harder the challenge the better....right?
I just don't see why UK is wrong in any way to want some breathers placed thru the schedule as opposed to playing a SEC gauntlet and then end with UL? Last year Levis was running on duct tape and bubble gum, we were down a few OLine, interior LBer spots were a mess, both safeties were backups and the DLine was beat to death. I get UL has injuries as well.....but arrogant or not..."It's just means more" in SEC as you know from the commercial.
They’re not scared to play UL as evidenced by the last 4 beat downs. They get up for the game because it’s a rivalry game. A rivalry game that you’re scared of.
My logic is play your rivals, don’t run from them. What does Clemson and Ohio State have to do with playing an instate rival?
I suppose if I lived in Louisville, KY I would vote keep them but I don't. They don't mean a thing to me and are no different in my eyes than Eastern Michigan.
I would drop them and leave a few towels to dry their tears.
I would drop them and leave a few towels to dry their tears.
You were just as excited after the wins over MAC schools as you were after wins over UL? LOL, sure.
Beating UL doesn’t count? Y’all keep saying they do nothing to help as if the game only counts if we lose. Y’all are that scared of UL. Central Michigan does a great deal for UK but not beating UL according to the chicken littles.
I was?
I live about 900 miles from Louisville. I would rather see UK play FSU every year. That would be a personal rival. Louisville is meaningless. I don't know a single UL fan so when we beat them how do I brag about it? If we beat FSU I have a dozen cousins I can boast to.
We each have reasons. That is why I said if I lived in Louisville I would be more inclined to keep the game going. But I don't. It is meaningless to me.
No, I just see it like Stoops and Barnhart do. Obviously you can't grasp it. Also, I have no desire to help a nobody even if they are in state. Barnhart may give in but I hope not. Go find you another SEC team to play since it is so big for you.
We have a difference of opinion which is fine, that doesn’t make me a UL fan. In my opinion college football is all about traditions and rivalries, I guess we can agree to disagree.
Join date of December 23, 2022.
Which means I can’t have an opinion. Another message board clown. Anytime you have a different opinion than the sheep.
Playing an instate rival and an SEC schedule is brutal, when we win, we were supposed to, when we lose, the sky is falling. As long as we are a good competitive team, we will get good players from Jefferson County. The majority of the state will be for Kentucky in this game, losing this game is NOT good for Kentucky, so it isn't helping the state. There is a reason we didn't play them in basketball all those years, Rupp or Hall didn't want to do it. Loiusville hates Kentucky and they never want to accept the fact they lose, even defiant to the point they hang banners spitting in the NCAA's face, drop them like a rock!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lots of good thoughts here (and 1 flaming ul troll all should block).
The series is the sin of CM Newton, to save season ticket sales in the early 90's and to keep Bill Curry as head coach. Unquestionably they would not be where they are now, and would not have accomplished what they have over the last 25 yrs without this series. It lifted them up FAR beyond what they were as a bottom of the rung program below group of 5 conf level.
And they damn well would not have built that stadium, but CM put the incentive in the damn series contract for them to do it! Anyone who says they would have built Papa John's without the UK-UL series is either (1)really young and really ignorant as well as uneducated about life in early to mid 1990's, or (2)just a stupid liar. CFB at this time was just beginning the realignment era, moving towards the BCS, the divide between the haves and have not was just starting. UL was WAY on the wrong side of the divide, going from independent to CUSA. Without this series there would have been NO financial or political drive to build a stadium. None.
But thanks to CM, UK dragged them to a new stadium, gave them an SEC opponent to rally against as the sole focus of offseason preparation. They traded that and weeknight ESPN games to higher recognition, then to the Big East the 6th out if 6 BCS conferences, then finally the ACC.
So, here we are, can't change the past, the ink is dry. Reality is UK will probably have to continue playing them. ESPN soon owns all the SEC TV. They already own all ACC. They will lean hard against losing a game that is most years going to draw good ratings on the SEC and ACC tv networks.
And from a perception point of view UK can't drop them while S Carolina continues playing Clemson, Georgia plays Tech, Fl plays FSU. We don't just recruit against them in Jefferson County people, they dip their beaks in the same region we do, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida. Really don't want our staff going into schools and the kids & their coaches say "UL was just here, what's this about y'all not being tough enough to keep playing them anymore?".
Personally from a pure football standpoint, what is best for our program roster going forward i wish the series would end, and we play 3 manageable games to develop our young guys and give our starters some snaps off. 9 games is going to be a freaking meat grinder, no one acknowledges this fact. The best recruits and athletes will be slamming into each other 12% more per yr. Injuries will go up, starters lost will go up.
But I think for mostly non football reasons the series will continue 2024 and beyond.
The series is the sin of CM Newton, to save season ticket sales in the early 90's and to keep Bill Curry as head coach. Unquestionably they would not be where they are now, and would not have accomplished what they have over the last 25 yrs without this series. It lifted them up FAR beyond what they were as a bottom of the rung program below group of 5 conf level.
And they damn well would not have built that stadium, but CM put the incentive in the damn series contract for them to do it! Anyone who says they would have built Papa John's without the UK-UL series is either (1)really young and really ignorant as well as uneducated about life in early to mid 1990's, or (2)just a stupid liar. CFB at this time was just beginning the realignment era, moving towards the BCS, the divide between the haves and have not was just starting. UL was WAY on the wrong side of the divide, going from independent to CUSA. Without this series there would have been NO financial or political drive to build a stadium. None.
But thanks to CM, UK dragged them to a new stadium, gave them an SEC opponent to rally against as the sole focus of offseason preparation. They traded that and weeknight ESPN games to higher recognition, then to the Big East the 6th out if 6 BCS conferences, then finally the ACC.
So, here we are, can't change the past, the ink is dry. Reality is UK will probably have to continue playing them. ESPN soon owns all the SEC TV. They already own all ACC. They will lean hard against losing a game that is most years going to draw good ratings on the SEC and ACC tv networks.
And from a perception point of view UK can't drop them while S Carolina continues playing Clemson, Georgia plays Tech, Fl plays FSU. We don't just recruit against them in Jefferson County people, they dip their beaks in the same region we do, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida. Really don't want our staff going into schools and the kids & their coaches say "UL was just here, what's this about y'all not being tough enough to keep playing them anymore?".
Personally from a pure football standpoint, what is best for our program roster going forward i wish the series would end, and we play 3 manageable games to develop our young guys and give our starters some snaps off. 9 games is going to be a freaking meat grinder, no one acknowledges this fact. The best recruits and athletes will be slamming into each other 12% more per yr. Injuries will go up, starters lost will go up.
But I think for mostly non football reasons the series will continue 2024 and beyond.
