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That is the point they aren’t outbidding the majority of the SEC schools. The only way they can keep pace is the SEC has a salary cap. Kentucky pockets aren’t as deep. They have to be really good in how they spend their money. Right now it is very similar to MLB, big market teams attract all the talent. There are 8-10 Dodgers and Yankees in their conference.

Good luck.

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That's the salary of a coordinator in football

I remain convinced, the majority of UL fans failed to appreciate just how good SMU, ND, BC, and Miami are with their exceptionally skilled QBs. If any of those aforementioned schools had lost their starting QBs when playing UL; we win going away!

With the Transfer Portal, this is the new reality ….. a few skill position players can turn a bottom feeder into a dangerous opponent. IU, Vandy, BC and SMU are just a few good examples of turnarounds.

Ironically, I believe our visit to Death Valley is a bit of a reprieve for our defense; Klubnik is good, but he has not distinguished himself as the same exceptional talent that we have witnessed thus far this season.

The SEC expansion is about revenue, ESPN recognized several years ago “that’s where the money is”; and in truth, it was never about attempting to provide any one member school with an advantage.

UK, Vanderbilt, Missouri and South Carolina join both MSU and Arkansas as “the perceived disadvantaged members, who in reality have just as much opportunity to be successful as the perennial favorites like Alabama, UGA, Texas and LSU. NIL and the Transfer Portal is the great equalizer; so if the folks in Lexington want to follow Stoops request for a whole lot more contribution……….. they can compete right along with the rest of the heavyweight SEC members. Having said this, the same goes for those in Nashville, Fayetteville and Columbia …….. just donate millions of dollars to your school and out bid the others.

Used to be the cheaters got most of the talent because they had most of the money

Now everyone can “cheat” (NIL).

But… the original “cheaters” STILL have most of the money and will get most of the talent.

Us lower level dregs will get the best of the rest, occasionally knock off the biggies, and hope for a PO spot.

Nothing has really changed.

This new environment is like threading a needle. They really have to be great evaluators of talent along the lines. They have to be able to get players that fit their schemes then develop them.

The fact Sanker can’t make the field tells me he was a miss. The tackle that came in with him was a miss.

I don’t worry about QB which is another critical piece. The rest of the skill positions on offense are a dime a dozen. They are literally every where.

Defense-not sure this scheme is doable because I think it requires a lot of talent to run. Linebackers have to be big and fast. You miss there good luck. It is a numbers game outside the SEC there aren’t many 6-2 or 6-3 250 lbs that can run sideline to sideline while filling holes in the run game. Have to have legit edge rushers and interior that can generate pressure with just 4. Just not sold Louisville will ever recruit well enough to run basic scheme where my guy beats your guy.

2330859 said:

There are underlying issues with Stoops and his roster that are playing out in Lexington; ironically this started out as their most talented and experienced team. Injuries are partly to blame, but those close to the players say it’s about Stoops losing control.

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SEC Expansion-NIL hurt UK more than most of the other teams. Two more programs with more resources and passion for the sport. While UK has money it doesn’t have the money being thrown around at these other schools. Even Vandy is going to be able to throw around money equal to UK. Really who are they going to outbid in that conference?

The slippery side if their recruiting is players aren’t coming to Lexington to win championships. They are coming to Lexington for the cash. Why did Walker stay at UK? Getting paid great and if the season goes sideways take it down a notch to get ready for the draft. Their corner that is hurt no way his agent lets him play again. The guys behind them aren’t that good. Hence the poor defensive play the last 2 games.

This isn’t a UK thing but it is really hard for programs like UK to avoid years like this. Louisville is beat up too with key guys leaving.

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Bardman said:

Anyone have guesses? Cards, uk or L$U?
I obviously hope she chooses UofL. I think the $$$$ L$U is probably promising may be too much to pass up.

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WE HAVE TO GET HER !!!!! Best local talent in years. If it's about money, match whatever we have to, and raise it once she signs.

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Bardman said:

Anyone have any insights on the newest 6’5” commit from Danville?

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Her stats are outstanding but I am not sure the level of competition. Did lead her team to
the sweet 16 last year.

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Ipartiedwithhopgood said:

LOL!
Go read his post again, he wasn't responding to you.

Sheesh man.

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My bad. I thought I was responding to Another CFD. My apologies nccardfan. Guess trying to get out a response quickly caused this error?

CoachJ1122 said:

I was there. Sat up from the bench. The improvement in culture is amazing to watch.

Everyone is engaged and in to every play.

With that being said, my only concern is, are players being held accountable? There is NEVER anything negative, and I'm all for that. But it's not okay to make a silly pass out of bounds, not okay to get lost on D. I hope we have the toughness and accountability to take on the schedule that's coming.

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Accountability might happen in practice and in the film room. We’ll see soon enough.

glassmanJ said:

still, they had two outs, and no runs in and they got mookie on a weak grounder to first. cole simply makes the play he's supposed too and momentum is all on yankees side. not judge's fault at all. his error only put on extra man on. cole's mind fart allowed all five runs to score after. simply, he runs to first base like every single pitcher is taught from peewee league and he screwed the pooch. no other way to put it. run to first base and the inning is over and no runs score.

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I’m not sure he beats Mookie to first. But you’re right, that was the boner that killed the Yanks. The Dodgers probably still win the series, but New York could have made it interesting.

Thecycle27 said:

Stoops is smarter than his fan base. He knows as long as he wins the Louisville game he is safe. They have always played better in that game. Their talent level is better than Louisville at least the last 5 years plus he is a good motivator.

I think he built the program correctly by focusing on defense instead of offense. With that said a Top 20ish defense paired with an offense ranked in the 100’s is going to lose in the SEC.

Same applies to Louisville you can’t win consistently with a Top 20-30 offense paired with a defense in the 70-80’s. Not in a conference where talent is even distributed. When you have both units in the Top 40 on both sides you can be really good.

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Stoops is smarter than his fan base.

Your average tree stump accomplishes that.

Thecycle27 said:

I think this is the route Louisville will have to take on high school players. Lower rated players with high upside and low NIL value. I think they have to try to figure out how to recruit high school lineman. May have to pay more for lineman that meet your measurables and fit. Need lineman to come through the system for depth.

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Yeah, the best OLs tend to be that way.