Did Everyone on Here Truly Think We'd Be Better Than Last Year?

[Blue4ever]

I don't promote myself as any type of football genius but I didn't think we'd be better than last season. Not with losing all the talent from last year's team. I knew we'd be young on offense, very solid on defense and (I thought) solid on special teams. But I also knew the SEC was going to be from top to bottom killer (as always) so I saw 6-6 as plausible for this team and not that bad given our history.

We have to keep in mind that we lost 6 players on offense who were either drafted or signed agent contracts in the NFL. Also, if no one has noticed we play in the SEC - arguably the toughest conference in the country.

I know as Americans we expect success overnight but we're still in the stages of building this program. But we're going to have to be patient with this team.

[Brian McCat]

I can't speak for all of our fans, but I felt that our defense would give us a chance to win some close games.

[Rockober]

I can't speak for all of our fans, but I felt that our defense would give us a chance to win some close games.

...and the defense has. I was expecting a better running game at this point in the season.

[Brian McCat]

...and the defense has. I was expecting a better running game at this point in the season.

Yes, you are right. I just don't like using Locke up in the 1st qtr. he's a great 2nd half back.

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

I didn't think we'd be better than last year, but I thought we'd have an AWESOME defense, and a slightly easier schedule so we could at least produce the same or better result in the end.

the way I look at it, the "we lost so much from last year" logic is a little over exaggerated. Raphael Little only played half the games last year, and we beat lsu without him. So the key offensive losses were Andre, Stevie, Keenan, and Jacob. Yeah that's big but most good teams give up that kind of talent year in-year out and don't miss a beat.

whether you liked the kid or not, our biggest loss might have been Curtis Pulley. Last year I remember Joker saying Curtis was (at the time) the most talented player on the team (or a similar superlative). But even if character is your issue with Pulley, then that has to go back to recruiting. This staff should have been much better prepared to lose what talent we did lose, and we're paying a big time price for it now. If they've got the sense that we think they do, then we've seen Hartline at qb for the last time, and we'll come out with an entirely different scheme next week. there's no reason the ship can't be turned around at this point, but it all starts with properly utilizing the talent we do have.

[Brian McCat]

CFITB, you are correct that CP put us in a bad place. However, I am not certain that he could have passed the ball any better than Mike Hartline.

[The Old School JPS]

Yes, you are right. I just don't like using Locke up in the 1st qtr. he's a great 2nd half back.

This has irked me greatly. He could've made a big difference yesterday, coming in fresh during the latter 3rd quarter against a South Carolina defense that had been on the field for a while.

[BowlingGreenUKGrad]

Here's the thing I think I am finally beginning to realize....

After back-to-back bowl wins, I was beginning to think we had turned the corner. I found myself thinking that we're becoming a legit, big time SEC-type team. But here's the thing... putting six players in the NFL (and not even all as drafted players) is no big deal for big-time teams. How many guys signed NFL contracts from LSU, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, etc.? And that's not a big deal for them. Their fans don't expect them to take a step back just because they put a bunch of guys in the league - they do that every year.

Now, that doesn't mean they won't take a step back. Tennessee is having a down year - but people didn't EXPECT them to. Most people did expect that of us. And it turns out they were right. Sure, our defense is much improved, but our offense has regressed so much that it almost negates that improvement.

[spfury]

I didn't, I predicted 5-7 maybe 6-6 at the beginning of the year. I do think it looks bad that we are having such a bad year in the middle of the rebuilding process, I dont expect a Fla. caliber offense every year, but Brooks should have had the team and this recruiting class set-up better than he does. I know we have some great players coming in next year and lost some great ones last year, but good and great programs generally dont have a year like this, especially with an offense that looks this bad. If the Offense was half as good as the D. this would be a really good team, but right now our offense rivals the Curry era, not quite that bad but getting close.

[JDHoss]

Not a "better" team, but due to a more favorable schedule, around the same record. I still believe that....

[westtncat]

The point is...with 4 turnovers and all those missed field goals by South Carolina we should have won THAT ballgame. In the sec at home you gotta win those.

[UKFBFAN]

I can't speak for all of our fans, but I felt that our defense would give us a chance to win some close games.

So did I. I was way off thinking 10-3 because I thought the defense could keep us close enough. That's a complaint about the offense, not the defense.

What's happened to us is the SEC.

[gerntz]

Our D is better, just not enough, including depth, to carry the more evident than ever step back in O. However, we played a top-notch D yesterday that was helped by their QB change up move. Perhaps a change up QB move could help us also, but I doubt he was ready for that yesterday after being off so long & there seemed to be more WR need. And that may still be true.

[leroybyrd]

I for one, will own up and say that I thought, and said on this board along with some other posters who are curiously silent on the issue, that we would be better this year.

I did not foresee the Curtis Pulley saga playing out like it did. I think we would be in much better shape with him on the team and I think that his absence is THE major factor in our current lack of success n SEC play.

[Mackcat]

At the moment we are 4-2. I do not believe 7-5 is out of the question. A certain team that we rave about last year was 7-5 heading into the bowl game.

[spfury]

I for one, will own up and say that I thought, and said on this board along with some other posters who are curiously silent on the issue, that we would be better this year.

I did not foresee the Curtis Pulley saga playing out like it did. I think we would be in much better shape with him on the team and I think that his absence is THE major factor in our current lack of success n SEC play.

Not sure if Pulley would have eliminated all of our issues or not. Is he better than MH, probably, but it seemed like the fans and coaching staff was never sold on him and he didn't seem to be tearing it up in practice either. He was at risk of losing his starting spot before he was suspended, if he would have been the difference then he would have been the clear cut favorite coming out of Spring but really wasn't. Pulley was pretty good, but he was not a great QB, he may have turned into one since he is quite athletic, but its hard to say that he would have been the difference.

[BigBlue75]

I can't speak for all of our fans, but I felt that our defense would give us a chance to win some close games.

It HAS...and it will continue to do so.

[gerntz]

Didn't answer the original post, so I will: Going into season, I was think 6-6 +/-2. After 4 & 5 games, thinking 8-4 +/-1. Now thinking 6-6 again +/-1. Still say AR next week, with chances with MSU/V/TN either way. Hard to believe all 3 at this point.

[Will Lavender]

the way I look at it, the "we lost so much from last year" logic is a little over exaggerated.

Obviously, it isn't.

I didn't think we'd be better. I still contend if we get to 6 or 7 wins, that's a good season considering what we lost.

Doesn't salve the very bad loss yesterday. That's a game that was giftwrapped for us and we couldn't take advantage. Even a decent team wins that game at home, and we couldn't do it.

[johnkyblue]

And it turns out they were right. I resent that remark because we are only halfway through the season. All it would take is some chemistry on offense. They are working on it. They are young, and young teams get better throughout the season. Giving up on them now is.... well.... don't come to the games then. The team does better when you don't bring that energy.

[bourbonman]

At the moment we are 4-2. I do not believe 7-5 is out of the question. ...
Love your optimism. Been following UK football for 4 decades and would love to believe. Where are the other 3 wins? :shrug1:

[johnkyblue]

Love your optimism. Been following UK football for 4 decades and would love to believe. Where are the other 3 wins? :shrug1:You can't be looking at the schedule and penciling in losses everywhere. That just doesn't make sense. It doesn't matter where they come from, they could come any week, and they will. Just have a bit of patience and Believe because they told you to.

[UKHAS7NCAA]

...and the defense has. I was expecting a better running game at this point in the season.

You and me both Rock. It's has definitely been disappointing up to this point. However I think this team will be ready for the hogs. I believe in Blue!!

[DCWildcat]

I definitely thought we would be down a notch. The defense has surpassed my expectations tremendously. The expected our rush to be much better, but about the same from our passing. Our special teams have also disappointed.

Overall, I think we're minimally better than I expected.

[cumberlandredskin]

I didn't think we would better but I thought we would see steady improvement over the course of the season. So far,at least offensively,I haven't seen any improvement. That is troubling and doesn't bode well for the rest of the season. Improvement needs to come fast or else UK will have trouble getting two more wins to be bowl elgible.

[Mackcat]

Love your optimism. Been following UK football for 4 decades and would love to believe. Where are the other 3 wins? :shrug1:
I love us to beat Arkansas. I think Miss st can go either way. I think we will beat vandy here. I think we have a chance at UT.

[boomdaddy]

Yes I did. That was also BP (before Pulley was dismissed). If Cobb would start, to not only get the O started, but also get a fire going in Hartline, I think the O would be better off. This is the best D that UK has had, since the Curci era. Now, if they can just start scoring some points. They can still win more games, but the O has to produce.

[hale]

As dedicated as I am to football, I had somewhat high expectations coming into this season and finishing maybe 8-4 or 7-5. Which by all means either way is a good season for us. Looking at the schedule I see three games that we can win Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi State. We could upset Georgia and we could upset Florida but both are highly unlikely. And I'll leave Vandy as a toss up. If we can beat either Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi State I'll be satisfied.

[UKFBFAN]

After back-to-back bowl wins, I was beginning to think we had turned the corner. I found myself thinking that we're becoming a legit, big time SEC-type team. But here's the thing... putting six players in the NFL (and not even all as drafted players) is no big deal for big-time teams. How many guys signed NFL contracts from LSU, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, etc.? And that's not a big deal for them. Their fans don't expect them to take a step back just because they put a bunch of guys in the league - they do that every year. .

How many did we put in the NFL 3-4 years ago? I was thrilled to see our guys make it this year and I can see 6-7-or maybe more out there who will play in the league, eventually. We are not Tennessee, but we are trying. Let's never give up.

[bourbonman]

I love us to beat Arkansas. I think Miss st can go either way. I think we will beat vandy here. I think we have a chance at UT.
If we get 3 of these 4 I will gladly buy you a bourbon at our bowl game. Just don't see any confidence in the player, coaches or fans ... myself included. Offense needs a MAJOR overhaul and special teams are starting to be a problem. If we don't win Saturday the spiral downward will be quicker than the stock market. :icon_sad:

[tommyshawakaleon]

Mean Fans....you have lost your perspective
Any UK fan reading your dysfunctional remarks WILL be appalled and chose not to associate with your mindset. I hope your child or someone you love someday plays some organized sport...maybe even Div 1 football at Kentucky....and hear you spew your discontent! Then and only then will you realize what you are and attempt to change. These football athletes that chose to play for UK....make daily sacrifices and deserve our support and admiration....win or lose....If you can't say GO CATS after any loss and look forward to the next game with confidence and patience for this team to continue to develop....then cease to call yourself a fan and call yourself what you are.....a mean and hostile human being! You now are no different to me than a Tennessee fan. I invite you to go where you belong with Tennessee.... there you can moan about Fulmer and the Vols football demise. You mean fans are not winners even when the football team wins so don't join us celebrating anymore wins...thank you!... You have lost my respect and any other true UK fan's respect when we lose.....you achieve this by your thoughts and words. By the way, the UK basketball fans are giving counseling sessions for dysfunctional football fans....we teach you respect, class and admiration....maybe even love....for the University of Kentucky athletes! Call for a session.....first one November 1, 2008....Rupp Arena 4PM! GO CATS!!!!!

PS....Hope ya know the words to Rocky Top!
__________________
http://www.wildcatnation.net/forum/image.php?u=4842&type=sigpic&dateline=1223579066Tommy Shaw
THE CATS
ROCK'N'ROLL

[BowlingGreenUKGrad]

Mean Fans....you have lost your perspective
Any UK fan reading your dysfunctional remarks WILL be appalled and chose not to associate with your mindset. I hope your child or someone you love someday plays some organized sport...maybe even Div 1 football at Kentucky....and hear you spew your discontent! Then and only then will you realize what you are and attempt to change. These football athletes that chose to play for UK....make daily sacrifices and deserve our support and admiration....win or lose....If you can't say GO CATS after any loss and look forward to the next game with confidence and patience for this team to continue to develop....then cease to call yourself a fan and call yourself what you are.....a mean and hostile human being! You now are no different to me than a Tennessee fan. I invite you to go where you belong with Tennessee.... there you can moan about Fulmer and the Vols football demise. You mean fans are not winners even when the football team wins so don't join us celebrating anymore wins...thank you!... You have lost my respect and any other true UK fan's respect when we lose.....you achieve this by your thoughts and words. By the way, the UK basketball fans are giving counseling sessions for dysfunctional football fans....we teach you respect, class and admiration....maybe even love....for the University of Kentucky athletes! Call for a session.....first one November 1, 2008....Rupp Arena 4PM! GO CATS!!!!!

PS....Hope ya know the words to Rocky Top!
__________________
http://www.wildcatnation.net/forum/image.php?u=4842&type=sigpic&dateline=1223579066Tommy Shaw
THE CATS
ROCK'N'ROLL

Your sig really causes me to lose perspective...

[BigBlue75]

If we get 3 of these 4 I will gladly buy you a bourbon at our bowl game. Just don't see any confidence in the player, coaches or fans ... myself included. Offense needs a MAJOR overhaul and special teams are starting to be a problem. If we don't win Saturday the spiral downward will be quicker than the stock market. :icon_sad:

Look, you're entitled to your opinion and we are ALL disappointed in two losses that, granted, probably should have been wins, but with attitudes like you just expressed, they might as well just cancel the rest of the season and not waste our opponents time. Now, the difficulty notwithstanding, there is NO team on our remaining schedule that the 'Cats aren't capable of beating. There are simply too many unforseen variables from week to week and during the course of the game that affect the outcome. LSU was supposed to beat us handily last season, as was Georgia two years ago. We all know what happened.
We all knew the offense suffered major personnel losses from last season and we would be very young, so none of this should come as a shock. It's just something we're going to have to deal with to a greater or lesser degree every year, but giving up on the whole bleetin' season just because we lost a couple of games isn't going to help anything.

[kynut]

Once again the Cats snatched defeat from the jaws of victory......the same way we have done it for most of the 60 years I have been a Cat fan......by making stupid mistakes at just the wrong time. It's almost as if we are hexed. Give it a little thought and you'll know I'm right when I say dumb plays have always killed us. Remember Marty Moores pass interception and fumble? Remember the delay of game penalty inside the Vol 5 yard line when we were definitely going in for the winning score? Remember the Bluegrass Miracle? Remember Danny Weurfels las second scoring pass when we blew the coverage? I could go on and on and on....crucial interceptions, blown coverages, fumbles, missed or blocked field goals, blocked punts, etc, etc etc. We will never be successful in the SEC until we change our mental processes and eliminate most of the stupid plays. We don't have to be great, we just need to be able to make the routine play every time!

[tommyshawakaleon]

Your sig really causes me to lose perspective... For you BGUKGRAD...my sig....and a song...for your lost perspective.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51V-2i8Tqjw

[catszoom54]

Honestly I thought we had a chance to win 8 games and guess what? I still do. We just have a great D and we have a shot!

[surveyor]

Preseason I thought we'd be 6-6 or 7-5. I'm still holding out for 7-5.

I figured our defense would certainly keep us in some games, but that would be diminished by the losses we had on offense.

[hale]

7-5 is the most realistic expectation any logical person could have. And I agree whole heartedly.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Considering who we lost from last season I did not think we would be better but I still expect to beat the teams they we should be beating..SC is one of them as well as Arkansas....
I love the Defense and I believe they are better than last years defense.Our offense needs work but we have a very inexperienced QB too

GO CATS.............BEAT the HOGS

[Josh]

I personally saw us as a 6-6 team with a good shot at 7-5 before the season started. I didn't know our defense would be as good as it has been but I knew the offense would struggle--there were just too many unknowns and a lot of talent that left. Now, as we are sitting on 4-2 with QB struggles, a batch of fresh WR's, and a quality senior that is done for the year, I can see us struggling to win one more game this season, especially when you look at just how much improved Vanderbilt is now. Mississippi State looks to be the game that we can win. The others, we will need a lot of improved play and things "falling our way."**

That is definitely not a knock on the team. I think they play with a lot of passion and desire, but they are in a tough situation right now.

**I say all of this in hopes that I am completely wrong. I hope, hope, hope that something huge happens to this team that will catapult it to a few more victories.

[RaleighCat]

Once again the Cats snatched defeat from the jaws of victory......

That is the truth. I thought we'd be down from last year simply by who we lost on offense (along with Wesley Woodyard). That's way too much talent to replace for a program like UK- and still expect to improve on the previous season. Even teams like LSU go through this process on a higher level. Look at the talent they lost and the whooping they took at FL.

However, what happened on Saturday against SC isn't explained by personnel losses alone. Kentucky Football is still a work in progress. This team- this program- has to learn how to win. We had that winning instinct last season but those leaders are gone now. A new generation has to step up and "Refuse To Lose." But I didn't see that on Saturday.

Even when you know it's going to be a transition year it's still hard to stomach losses like we had against SC. That's a game we should've won, plain and simple. But it's also a game that UK has lost numerous times in the past. "We are who we thought we were", to quote Denny Green.

[bourbonman]

... but giving up on the whole bleetin' season just because we lost a couple of games isn't going to help anything.
Haven't given up. Just saying what I'm seeing. Not all of us can be Pollyanna all the time. I'm actually a fellow who looks for the positive and keeps trying. Why else have I been following UK football for 4+ decades, had season tickets for over a quarter of a century and invested in the football program the way I have. Truly hope I'm wrong. I'll be at the remaining home games plus TN on the road cheering until I lose my voice as usual. If I'm wrong (AND again I hope I am) I will buy you a bourbon as well at the bowl game. We just need some offense to get there. Our defense as good as it is, can't do it alone.

[BigBlue75]

Haven't given up. Just saying what I'm seeing. Not all of us can be Pollyanna all the time. I'm actually a fellow who looks for the positive and keeps trying. Why else have I been following UK football for 4+ decades, had season tickets for over a quarter of a century and invested in the football program the way I have. Truly hope I'm wrong. I'll be at the remaining home games plus TN on the road cheering until I lose my voice as usual. If I'm wrong (AND again I hope I am) I will buy you a bourbon as well at the bowl game. We just need some offense to get there. Our defense as good as it is, can't do it alone.

I wasn't putting your loyalty to the program in question..matter of fact, if you've had season tickets that long they ought to give you a gold seat with padded cushions on the 50 yard line. My hats off to you. My whole point was there have been games in the last couple of seasons that on paper we didn't have a chance to win and yet we did. This season is no different, and while I agree the offense needs a lot of help, crazier things have happened. Let's just strap'em up and see what happens.

[Mackcat]

For you BGUKGRAD...my sig....and a song...for your lost perspective.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51V-2i8Tqjw
Dude, are you for real about the love for Tommy Shaw? Did you lose a bet or are you doing this to be funny?

[tommyshawakaleon]

Man....My nickname....someone who I have spent good times with called me that cause I look like him! Ya get it now?

[tommyshawakaleon]

Leon another nickname....moving right along....behind door !, 2 or 3 is a BRAND NEW CAR!

[Mackcat]

Sure.

[Adolph Rollingover]

We are 10 point favorites against Arkansas. W

Florida- L
Miss State has scored only 98 pts this year- W
Georgia - L
vandy- has beaten SC, Ole Miss and Auburn combined SEC record 5-7- Very winnable game. W
Tenn- the streak ends on a 52 yard Lones Seiber FG- W
8-4

[BowlingGreenUKGrad]

We are 10 point favorites against Arkansas. W

Florida- L
Miss State has scored only 98 pts this year- W
Georgia - L
vandy- has beaten SC, Ole Miss and Auburn combined SEC record 5-7- Very winnable game. W
Tenn- the streak ends on a 52 yard Lones Seiber FG- W
8-4

This is a best-case scenario. It could happen, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

[Adolph Rollingover]

Yeah, we will beat Vandy or Tenn but not both.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Didn't Miss State beat Vandy this past weekend

[Adolph Rollingover]

Didn't Miss State beat Vandy this past weekend
Yes, for their first SEC win this year. Vandy has scored 14 points in both of their last two games. One a one point win, the other a three point loss. Miss St. played Auburn to a 3-2 loss earlier this year and was beaten handily by LSU

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

This is a best-case scenario. It could happen, but I'm not getting my hopes up.
best case scenario is 10-2.

-did ole miss pencil in a loss to florida ?
-has uga really been impressive enough to concede our game to them ?

ALL of our remaining games are winnable.