The Modern Era of Kentucky Football -- 2016 to present

[TheParisGuy]

In 2006, Kentucky football began the 12-game regular season schedule.
An additional non-conference game could be added, almost assuring a win.
Prior to the 2006 season, bowl games eligibility meant winning six games.
Now, with the additional game, it showed you could schedule three winners, and beat three of the remaining nine to get to a bowl.
So, now as we are about to hear comparisons of Mark Stoops to Paul 'Bear Bryant, consider the opponents
You can easily do so by going on Wiki and pulling up each coach's record.

 

[TheParisGuy]

55 views ,no comments.
lol

 

[gojvc]

55 views ,no comments.
lol

What’s your point?

 

[The-Hack]

I do not understand the question.

 

[BBNFORLIFE]

Stoopx used this to his advantage. Thanks Mark Stoops.

 

[kritikalcat]

First a trivial correction. The 12 game regular season schedule was adopted on a trial basis in 2002 and 2003 then back to 11 games in ‘04-‘05 and 12 games fulltime in 2006

Bryant had by far the better win percentage at Kentucky (60-23-5)

Comparing schedules: when Bryant came to UK we played a 10 game schedule with 5 SEC games. We played 2 non conference games against UC and Xavier which were not major division schools at the time (ie not what we’d consider D1 now). The schedule expanded to 11 games with 6 SEC games around 1948 but with 2 or more non-major division opponents on the non conference schedule for a few years. In the 11-1 1950 season we played 4 non “D1” opponents. Eventually this was cut to 1 non major per season the last few years Bryant coached here.

so Stoops 12 games, 8 SEC, 4 non conference 1 non major. Bryant 10-11 games, 5-6 SEC, average 2 non majors per season. I don’t think the schedule then was particularly tougher than now, maybe easier, but with far fewer bowl games getting a bowl invite was a bigger deal.

vs ranked opponents (realizing ranking was too 20 then vs 25 now): Bryant 7-11-2. Stoops 8-13. Nearly identical win percentages vs top 20/25. Bowls: Bryant 3-1 Stoops 4-2. Of course the Bear’s best bowls were more prestigious then and now:

not really taking a side on this, just more perspective now that Stoops has passed Bryant in total wins at Kentucky

 

[Blue63Madison]

We need a poll to vote if this is the worst thread ever. I’m leaning yes.

 

[bthaunert]

Since 2016, Stoops has a winning record in the SEC. 5+ seasons and a winning record in the SEC.

 

[EliteBlue]

Since 2016, Stoops has a winning record in the SEC. 5+ seasons and a winning record in the SEC.

This. Stoops overall record is skewed bc he had to build the roster from Big South/horizon league talent levels and deal w a 2 win season to start…it’s been all uphill trajectory and sustaining since

 

[kritikalcat]

The record in the 3 seasons before Bryant took over was 8-20 / 1-15 SEC so things weren't in great shape then either. The difference I think is that recruiting was more wild west as far as the NCAA in those days (at least compared to when Stoops got here, not the NIL/transfer portal era) and before the Kentucky legislature started interfering, which was more at the end of Bryant's tenure / Collier. Also, I know UK basketball benefited from more mature players coming back from WW2, and assume football did too.