Defense, since I created this thread, allow me to respond to your sweeping generalization. First, I'm not trying to convince anyone, let alone, "the majority of fans" to "throw up their hands and lose all hope." There is nothing in my initial post that remotely suggests that any UK fan do anything of the sort. I merely expressed my opinion in response to other threads on this message board as to whether it was time for UK fans to have greater expectations for its football program.
Secondly, you contend that my "tired old arguments about "history and recruiting are patently false." However, I don't see you citing any supporting evidence that my statements about history or recruiting are "patently false". On the contrary, the statements I made about UK's deplorable football history and comparatively weak recruiting are not even in dispute. They are all factual accurate.
Thirdly, if you can't recognize that a football team's history of winning or losing is important in predicting its future ability to succeed, I'm not sure I or any other poster can share much that will cause you to think differently. Suffice it say, most all of the knowledgeable football fans I know, as well as head coaches, have stated numerous times over the years the important role that a school's winning (or losing) tradition has in securing the better players to attend their school. In large part, Kentucky pathetic losing history in football has been one of the principal reasons it has been unable to attract better coaches as well as better players. However, if you don't find that argument credible so be it.
Finally, contrary to your proclamation, I'm not a "pessimist" who, "claims to be a fan (who) would be so forceful in trying to convince the majority that they should give up hoping for anything except mediocrity, and then express frustration that they are not succeeding. Maybe someday I'll figure it out and understand." Since you are a "Moderator", I am presuming you are aware this is a "message board" where people express themselves. There is nothing in my post to suggest that I intended to persuade other UK fans to "throw up their hands and lose all hope",. Nor, have I become "frustrated" that I am not succeeding in causing you to lose your hope. On the contrary, I expressly stated in my initial post that I hope my opinion about UK's future ability to succeed in football is wrong.
While I am not a pessimist, I am a realist who believes that UK's losing football history, its history of firing coaches who did not succeed, its placement in the toughest football conference in America, Kentucky's lack of enough quality high school football talent, and other reasons have created a situation where it is unlikely that UK football will be any more successful than it has been for the last 50 plus years. Do I ask that you agree with my opinion? NO Am I trying to persuade you to "throw your hands up and give up all your hope?" NO