I think the bigger problem wasn't losing to Clemson.. it was giving up the lead and imploding in the 4th quarter. That shows poor composure and coaching. It shows that we could have won this, and maybe should have won this.
But at the same time.. Kentucky hanging with the 23rd team in the nation in a lesser bowl game, is probably about the most we can expect for this program. It's not a football school, it's not a football state. The state of Kentucky didn't have a single player in the top300, and I'm honestly not even sure if it's top prospect makes it even close. So we're trying to recruit in the Midwest against the likes of ND, OSU Michigan and the rest of the big10, while playing in the best conference in college in the SEC. The fact that Stoops has gotten us TO these bigger games is pretty impressive.
I know people get annoyed by salaries, but whats the alternative? We kick Stoops to the curb, cut the salary in half.. and then what, become a 5 or 6 win team again? Just don't know who Kentucky can attract. It would have to be a young promising coach, and then that guy would bolt for any of the 20 better coaching programs before long. Sometimes you have to understand who you are.