So why again, do so many respect UK?

[BAQ]

We may be in the middle of a rebuilding effort, but they look like the same old UK to me. We've beaten them four straight, and I see no reason why that doesn't become five. Amazing to me the respect I hear and read my fellow Card fans extending to Kentucky's football team. In fact, as bad as we've been this year, our product has been better than theirs.
Evidence: They took ULL and EKU to the wire at home. EKU should have beaten them.

More evidence: Their marquee win was against a Missouri team that lost to Vandy today while scoring a grand total of 3 points. Even more evidence: Their next-best win came against a South Carolina team that Spurrier couldn't bear to be around for two more months.

Tonight's evidence: Getting pummeled at half 28-13 by a mediocre Miss. St team.

Why again, shouldn't we march into Commonwealth and win that game?

 

[fredburgcard]

We should but this Cardinal team cannot take any team for granted. If the Cards have the turnovers/false starts they had today on Nov 28 they lose.

 

[Knucklehank1]

With the struggles on our O-line, every game will be a challenge. I'm guessing the line right now would be UK favored by 1, primarily due to home field advantage

 

[beasleythecard]

Until our coaches teach our players how to wrap up, how to run block, and how to run with the blocks we will be in a uphill battle.

We have several players that need their scholarships revoked so we can get some playwrs that give effort as well.

 

[KerryRhodes]

Its called a rivalry. The fighting Rock Hudsons ( google thin thirty kentucky)
Could be 11-0, and UofL could be 0-11 when they meet , not having scored
1 point , and id still believe the Cards would win.

Screw uofk

 

[ShortCreek]

I hope I'm wrong but that game will be a nail biter! Hopefully the defense comes up big and creates about three turnovers, I currently have zero faith in our offense!

 

[Mike'sMarbles]

42-16. This week's moral victory is starting to slip away.

 

[The Public Enemy]

As bad as we looked the past couple of weeks...Kentucky tonight is looking worse...but as of right now it all about Wake Forest.

 

[Steelers2012]

It's always wise to have a healthy respect for all of your opponents.

 

[KerryRhodes]

42-16. This week's moral victory is starting to slip away.

It was the refs fault. They cost them 27 points !

 

[beasleythecard]

It's always wise to have a healthy respect for all of your opponents.

Absolutely

 

[Mike'sMarbles]

I wonder if UK fans will tout Barker's "good work" against MSU's 3rd stringers?

 

[BrewCrewCard]

I hope Barker is the qb when we play them. I want that punk knocked on his a$$. Uk is the same team they were last year. There schedule was set up for them like last year but they still can't take advantage of it.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Both teams have a lot of problems.

UK beat a couple "name brand" programs. Those programs are incredibly down by their standard, it was obvious at the times of those games but UK fans preferred to flex their standard egotistical misguided muscle and continue with the "they are SEC" wins as if that in itself proves something. The concept was built around this "recruiting" mantra that we've been hearing about for 2 + years. Spurrier took a walk, that should tell you what you need to know about that win unfortunately.

This is the worst USC team in years and Missouri has a putrid offense and injuries are piling up. Missouri had dynamic WRs of late but this year's roster has no firepower at all. When they failed to score a TD at home vs UCONN the writing was on the wall there. Not sure if either make a bowl. They are both just way down.

UK skated by ULM and EKU, those close wins should have been scrutinized. Those outcomes were just pretty telling. Giving up so many points to those teams has to at least make you think there are some real problems on the UK defense. They appear to be destined to a 4-5 record heading into some colder weather on the road at Nashville against Vandy who lost to USC but did just beat Missouri. That game for UK is looking like a toss-up and if their players feel the fans giving up on them by the time that game rolls around who knows where their heads will be. Vandy has no offense but if they are able to keep the score down they probably have more mental fortitude than UK.

That's the rub with bringing in higher starred recruits. They come in with some swagger but is their heart really into it once things head a bit south? It's just not as easy to jaw jack when losses start piling up. Their top RB is a big time player but he bounces EVERYTHING outside and doesn't get them the tough yards. So if he doesn't hit multiple big plays he is hurting them and he is no grinder. When the weather starts to chill and their D continues to struggle they might need a grinder more than a big play threat. Their O is suddenly stalling and a lot of it has to do with that right there, maybe he fixes that and starts running more North/South or maybe he just keeps bouncing things outside and they keep losing on first down and everything falls apart for them.

Doubt is already creeping in. A date with a 4 loss "name brand" program is up next, at home too. 8 home games 4 road, with 2 of the road at USC and Vandy wow.

As the previous poster said the schedule was on a platter for a somewhat break through season but it doesn't appear to be happening. There is no way their schedule gets easier next year, so the "progress" battle cry might get put on hold.

We'll see. Their D line was downright awful last night and Tenn has a stout RB and their QB can get on the run too - both teams in desperation mode next week.

 

[mwatson61]

I don't think Vandy is a shoe in. If UK is still sitting on 5 wins heading into our game, give me CBP. The Cayuts fan meltdown will be epic.

 

[kozmas]

I was traveling yesterday and had a 9 hour drive so I scanned the radio looking for something long term to listen to. I came to the the MSU vs sUcK game and decided to listen to it and cheer for MSU. It sounded like Big Blew had no pass defense and I thought that might be a good game for Bolin to start.

Last year he picked them apart, I know we had a better offensive line last year and we don't have very good pass protection this year. However, their pass defense is awful and Lamar is really struggling in the passing game.

If the game was played today I would consider it a toss up. We still have about 4 weeks left and a lot could change in those 4 weeks.

 

[MDCardsFan]

I'm not sweating or worrying about 11/28 cause the last 4 meetings against them, they've given me no reason to be worried. I'm not saying we'll blow them out, just win and that's all that matters, not how you win, but if you win.

 

[KerryRhodes]

Prime MF

All-American

Joined:Messages:12,018Likes Received:

There should be a mercy rule, this is a total embarrassment.



28 Prime MF, Yesterday at 11:04 PM

 

[mwatson61]

I was traveling yesterday and had a 9 hour drive so I scanned the radio looking for something long term to listen to. I came to the the MSU vs sUcK game and decided to listen to it and cheer for MSU. It sounded like Big Blew had no pass defense and I thought that might be a good game for Bolin to start.

Last year he picked them apart, I know we had a better offensive line last year and we don't have very good pass protection this year. However, their pass defense is awful and Lamar is really struggling in the passing game.

If the game was played today I would consider it a toss up. We still have about 4 weeks left and a lot could change in those 4 weeks.

Lamar and Reggie are going to shred that UK defense.

 

[CardinalJim]

I believe too many are reading too much into an easy schedule that UK has had those far. The record of the 4 teams UK has beaten 14-14. UK has not beaten an FBS team with a winning record and had to go to overtime to beat the only team they have beaten with a winning record, FCS Eastern Kentucky.

For comparative sake: UK had to go to overtime to beat Eastern. NC State shutout Eastern in Raleigh. Louisville beat NC State on the same field.

Stoops has taken a page of the Rich Brooks school of football scheduling and tried to schedule himself into a bowl game with 8 home games with OOC games against EKU, Charlotte, Louisiana Lafayette, us and a down Missouri and a down South Carolina.

Does all this mean Louisville will win? Absolutely not, forgive me however, if I refuse to believe that beating what might be a .500 Kentucky in Lexington is some kind of impossible task.
CJ

 

[zipp]

CJ nailed it...

 

[zipp]

It's always wise to have a healthy respect for all of your opponents.

I never use superlatives. (Only when talking about them!) As proof, I agree with your statement 99.9% of the time. And you know the one exception.

LPT Football: Unique...

 

[johnnyrockets]

We got waxed Saturday, no doubt. Losing Lewis on an already mediocre D line is brutal, and there is some restlessness setting in re: Eliot and the defense.

That said, you guys aren't setting the world on fire, either. You just beat a BC team that lost 3-0 to Wake Forest by 3 points in front of a half full PJCS.

11/28 may be a close game but I suspect it won't be the prettiest thing either fan base has seen. JMO.

 

[zipp]

TOTAL OFFENSE: LPT 73rd, U of L 76th
TOTAL DEFENSE: LPT 76th, U of L 19th
RPI SOS: LPT 39th, U of L 10th

Those numbers tell me one thing.

LPT Football: Don't say it...

(Edit: Picked up the wrong defensive numbers originally.)

 

[nccardfan]

There is just too much credence placed on the football schedule. The schedule for the most part is made years in advance. It's simple win the games on your schedule and things will work out. We used to get bashed for our schedule being too weak and now we are lamenting because it was too tough. Ok so UK scheduled some no conference patsies but there is no way they knew South Carolina was going to struggle and their coach quit or Missouri would be down. Also for you guys that say wait till next year that used to work in the big east and AAC (look at UCF) but I don't expect FSU or Clemson to have down years and I fully expect teams like VT and GT to bounce back.

 

[zipp]

There is just too much credence placed on the football schedule. The schedule for the most part is made years in advance. It's simple win the games on your schedule and things will work out. We used to get bashed for our schedule being too weak and now we are lamenting because it was too tough. Ok so UK scheduled some no conference patsies but there is no way they knew South Carolina was going to struggle and their coach quit or Missouri would be down. Also for you guys that say wait till next year that used to work in the big east and AAC (look at UCF) but I don't expect FSU or Clemson to have down years and I fully expect teams like VT and GT to bounce back.

This thread is about LPT, not the relevancy of schedule strength.

I know your perspective on SOS since it mitigates your arguments about how well or poorly U of L is doing. But you need to start a new thread on that subject, not misdirect this one.

Any team is really only responsible for the OOC teams on their schedule since they have a choice in playing those games. I have more understanding for a school that scheduled, say, Auburn this year thinking that they were going to be good. And only to find out otherwise. At this point, Auburn may be dragging down our SOS, as high as it is.

Like I said, you need a new thread...

 

[nccardfan]

Wrong I was responding to Cardinal Jims post insinuating that somehow uk knew sc and Missouri were going to have down years. You and a couple others responded to that maybe not in full text.

 

[Sawyer]

Is anyone factoring into the equation what an "intimidating" stadium Commonwealth is, especially since they put a ton of whipped cream on that turd?

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

and there is some restlessness setting in re: Eliot and the defense.

No way.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

TOTAL OFFENSE: LPT 73rd, U of L 76th
TOTAL DEFENSE: LPT 76th, U of L 19th
RPI SOS: LPT 39th, U of L 10th

Those numbers tell me one thing.

LPT Football: Don't say it...

(Edit: Picked up the wrong defensive numbers originally.)

Just curious Z, where are you finding these #'s? I thought I saw the UK total O in the mid 40s this morning but I admit I was multi-tasking.

Thanks.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

I'll add, it's still maybe too far out to weigh in on what we think is "supposed to happen" in the game. I think everybody does see it as a close game, not sure how any fan from either side could be confident or feel hopeless.

Time for player development, critical injuries, some kind of "X" factor, and both teams could also find their seasons in the toilet when it's game time.

 

[BPGhost]

Lamar and Reggie are going to shred that UK defense.

I agree - it certainly looks like they should. Kentucky has had issues stopping dual threat QBs since Stupes has been there.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Our turnover margin is bad, our special teams have really struggled....

If we can somehow protect the ball I like our chances. But can we? The NC St game is the blueprint for this team IMO.

 

[johnnyrockets]

No way.

Hard to believe, right? For some reason, a lot of people are zeroing in on Dawson but I think he's done a much better job than Eliot (Dawson can't catch the ball for 'em). The defense has looked better than it is because we've played some anemic offenses. We'll see how it looks after UT and UGa.

That said, at the moment, UofL is no MSU or UT or UGa offensively. I think all I can say is that it will be weakness on weakness when you guys have the ball. How Jackson plays will be important (moreso than usual). Again, JMO.

 

[Louisvillian]

Just curious Z, where are you finding these #'s? I thought I saw the UK total O in the mid 40s this morning but I admit I was multi-tasking.

Thanks.

Not sure if it's the same site Zipp is pulling from but this is where I look. I do get some slightly different numbers on offense and the defensive rankings are almost exactly as he posted.

Total offense and total defense are usually best determined by yards per game. The first ranking page they send you to is for total yards but that isn't a very good way to rank since one team may have played 1 or 2 more games than someone else. You can also figure points per game if you want on this ESPN page. They have: yards per game:
Offense:
UK- #72
UofL- #75

Defense:
UK- #77
UofL- #19

Not sure about the SOS part.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/statistics/team/_/stat/total/position/defense/sort/yardsPerGame

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Hard to believe, right? For some reason, a lot of people are zeroing in on Dawson but I think he's done a much better job than Eliot (Dawson can't catch the ball for 'em). The defense has looked better than it is because we've played some anemic offenses. We'll see how it looks after UT and UGa.

That said, at the moment, UofL is no MSU or UT or UGa offensively. I think all I can say is that it will be weakness on weakness when you guys have the ball. How Jackson plays will be important (moreso than usual). Again, JMO.

UK typically has one or two studs on the D side of the ball.

Hatcher, for reasons all his own, has been a disappointment.

Forsett is a monster but unfortunately for you guys out the door soon. Wesley is a big time talent in the secondary but the D line is just not up to snuff. Again, Hatcher making no impact which makes no sense he was a big time talent. Still two + years left, if he can keep himself on the team.

There's no way to know what will happen when Cards/Cats square off. Neither team is very good right now.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Not sure if it's the same site Zipp is pulling from but this is where I look. I do get some different numbers on offense but the defensive rankings are almost exactly as he posted.

Total offense and total defense are usually best determined by yards per game. The first ranking page they send you to is for total yards but that isn't a very good way to rank since one team may have played 1 or 2 more games than someone else. You can also figure points per game if you want on this ESPN page. They have: yards per game:
Offense:
UK- #72
UofL- #75

Defense:
UK- #77
UofL- #19

Not sure about the SOS part.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/statistics/team/_/stat/total/position/defense/sort/yardsPerGame

Thx. I think Z nailed it. I believe the UK passing O might be in the mid 40s, but overall the UK O I believe to be in mid 70s.

 

[Rollem Cards]

I agree - it certainly looks like they should. Kentucky has had issues stopping dual threat QBs since Stupes has been there.

Problem is, right now, LJ is not a duel threat.

Maybe a 1 1/2, or 1 1/4 threat.

When he becomes true duel threat, we will be unstoppable!!

 

[CardFan1130]

Forsett is a monster but unfortunately for you guys out the door soon. Wesley is a big time talent in the secondary but the D line is just not up to snuff.

At least get the names right. Sheesh!

 

[zipp]

This is the site I quote. It uses yards per game for total offense and defense to remove the bias of number of games played.

The significant difference between the teams at this point is again on defense. LPT's defense is worse against a softer schedule. And the offenses are about the same with those same schedules. Hence, U of L is doing better on both sides of the ball accounting for schedules...