FOOTBALL: Non Conference Scheduling by the SEC
by ParisGuy on Feb 5, 2010 11:00 AM EST
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I saw a comment in one of the recent posts that Kentucky's Non Conference Schedule isn't that bad.
by
Lisa Horne
Lisa Horne
Senior Writer
178 articles written
4749 comments written
432 fans
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Results - Author Poll
Which school looks to be improving their non-conf schedule the most?
-
Alabama
26.1% -
Auburn
5.7% -
Arkansas
13.1% -
Florida
6.3% -
Georgia
7.4% -
Kentucky
1.1% -
LSU
13.1% -
Vanderbilt
18.2% -
South Carolina
1.1% -
Tennessee
8.0% - Total votes: 176
After grading the Pac-10, it's time to sneak a peek at the SEC's 2010 non-conference football schedules. No bias here. Purely objective analysis with a healthy dose of tongue-in-cheek sarcasm.
While the SEC has taken strides in looking outside their comfort zone in the South for competitive non-conference games, they still have a tendency to schedule cupcakes.
Have some teams avoided the tryptophan-inducing FCS teams? Check it out yourself. (Scheduling an FCS school will automatically exclude any team from getting an "A", FYI.)
One other note: There will be an asterisk after a team's grade if they scheduled a bye before their game against Alabama. It's time to play, "Let's count how many times teams try to screw Alabama." (Thanks to Franklin Crittenden for breaking the story on the propensity of Bama's opponents to schedule byes before playing them )
Warning: Some material may not be suitable for Kool-Aid drinkers, those with no sense of humor, or those who live by the "but our conference schedule is tough enough as it is so we don't need to schedule tough games" excuse.
Alabama Grade: B-
Hosting San Jose State. Meh, not bad. It will be a blowout, but then again, the Spartans are used to that from Pac-10 teams. Still, it's a decent patsy.
Hosting Penn State. Bravo! This is the improvement we all wanted to see from an elite team. This also happens to be a great rivalry renewed.
At Duke. We assumed this game was scheduled when Duke was tanking all of their games, and, after checking, it was (2006). Still, two scheduled BCS conference teams (one on the road) gets love from me.
Hosting Georgia State. Who? What happened to Western Carolina, Charleston-Southern, Wofford, you know, the patsies we are used to? FYI, Georgia State's schedule this year includes Shorter and Campbell. I Swear.
Auburn Grade: D*
Hosting Arkansas State. Season-ticket holders may be giddy over the fact that this year Auburn has only four road games. They may think twice when they see that three of their non-conference home games are complete skunks.
Hosting Clemson. Clemson saves the Auburn Tigers from getting an F.
Hosting Louisiana-Monroe. Hyphenated schools are rarely a threat, but here's your chance, Auburn fans, to defend this game by bringing up the '07 game between Bama and ULM.
Hosting Tennessee-Chattanooga. Another hyphenated team who is still recovering from the 45-0 spanking Alabama gave them two months ago.
Arkansas Grade: C
Hosting Tennessee-Tech. The Golden Eagles beat Pikeville 51-10 in their '09 home-opener! They also lost to Kansas State 49-7.
Hosting Louisiana-Monroe. How much do these guys get paid to be the SEC's punching bag year after year, anyway?
Texas A&M at Arlington. Props for restoring this Southwest Classic. The Aggies save the Razorbacks from getting a D here.
Hosting UTEP. This isn't too bad of a game. UTEP has lost its luster since losing Jordan Palmer (5-7, 4-8 in last 2 years) but playing a C-USA team beats playing most Sun Belt teams.
Georgia Grade: B-
Hosting Louisiana. Before you get too excited, it's not that Louisiana ...it's the Ragin' Cajuns of Lafayette. Did the Ragin' Cajuns drop "Lafayette" from their name so that "University of Louisiana" sounds better? Or was it dropped to differentiate themselves from Monroe, aka ULM?
At Colorado. The Buffs are on a self-destruct mission. They play Colorado State, Hawaii, at Cal, and then host the Bulldogs two weeks later. They should be limping into Folsom Field with a 1-2 record before the Bulldogs make Ralphie their $%^#%.
Hosting Idaho State. Too bad the Bulldogs didn't schedule the Humanitarian Bowl STUD Idaho Vandals instead, as that would have earned them an A-. The Bengals lost 10-straight games before finally winning their last (against Portland State, the Oregon Ducks' patsy this year ).
Hosting Georgia Tech. Three's a charm?
Florida Grade: B
Hosting Miami (OH). The parenthesis make all the difference in the world, don't they?
Hosting South Florida. OK, the Gators added a second BCS conference team to their schedule, so that helps a bit. Granted, the Bulls tend to not show up in big games (although they did against FSU, but the Noles' weren't that great anyway), but this is a positive step forward.
Hosting Appalachian State. And here is where they take a step back. Gators fans will scream that the Mountaineers were in the FCS Championship, but they still lost to Montana, and they are still an FCS team. The Mountaineers also lost to McNeese State and had to beat The Citadel (who lost to UNC 40-6) in OVERTIME. 'Nuff said.
At Florida State. Not having Bobby around isn't as fun, but the Gators get respect for scheduling this game every year. They also get props for scheduling two bowl-teams for 2010. Take out the FCS team, and they would have had an A-.
Ole Miss Grade: D+*
Hosting Jacksonville State. Patsy No. 1.
At Tulane. Patsy No. 2.
Hosting Fresno State. This is a dangerous team (ask Wisconsin) that plays well on the road. This is also the team that saves the Rebels from getting an F-.
Hosting Louisiana. Patsy No. 3.
Mississippi State Grade: D+*
Hosting Memphis. Not too bad. Memphis' basketball team is better than their football team, but hey, Mississippi State is trying to build up their program and this isn't too bad of a home opener.
Hosting Alcorn State. The school's official web site's 2009 football schedule and results page hasn't been updated since Halloween. The payout from this game should get them back in the black, so they can hire someone to type in the scores of their games.
At Houston. Was this scheduled before Case Keenum became a big-time quarterback and the Cougs weren't bowl-jinxed with four-straight losses (pre-'08)? It doesn't really matter anymore because this will be a great game.
Hosting UAB. Another one of those "meh" games. Not too bad. Then again, we should keep reminding ourselves that the Bulldogs are an SEC team. Shouldn't they play some bigger boys?
LSU Grade: B*
At Atlanta for North Carolina. Would have liked to have seen a home-and-home format for this game, but I guess that trip to Washington used up all of their time zone allotments for this year's travels.
Hosting West Virginia. This is a very good game and props to LSU for stepping up to the plate. In fact, the Tigers, the Tide, the Commodores, and the Vols have all made serious attempts to strengthen their non-conference slate.
Hosting McNeese State. This is why LSU doesn't get an A.
Hosting Louisiana-Monroe. Southern Miss was supposed to be here, but I guess LSU decided that the Eagles made their non-conference schedule too competitive and pushed them ahead to 2011. Enter the SEC's favorite patsy, Louisiana-Monroe. The Tigers are 1-0 against ULM.
South Carolina Grade: C-*
Hosting Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles are a very good team in C-USA. Still, a mediocre ACC or Big East team would have added more teeth in the schedule. Or at least a snarl.
Hosting Furman. When teams like Boise State (who will pay for their own travel anywhere to play a top team) and Fresno State are dying to play BCS conference teams, why does Furman get picked? More interesting is that Furman was originally scheduled before the Alabama game, but got moved so that the Gamecocks would have a bye before the Bama game. How sneaky.
Hosting Troy. Another decent team, but they are a Sun Belt team. The collective score between Troy and two SEC teams (Florida and Arkansas) is 112-26. Troy also got spanked by Bowling Green, so this isn't exactly a compelling matchup by any means.
At Clemson. Luckily for South Carolina, Clemson snapped their three-bowl-loss streak this year against Kentucky, so this rivalry has more "oomph" again. The Tigers also represent only one of four BCS conference teams (USF, UNC, NC State) that South Carolina has scheduled since 2004.
Tennessee Grade: C*
Hosting Tennessee-Martin. Why not schedule a Big Ten (Indiana) or Big 12 (Colorado) cupcake instead of directional in-state local talent? Akron used to be in this slot, but I guess that was too much of a challenge before Oregon and they went the FCS route.
Hosting Oregon. The Ducks saved the Vols from getting a "C-". One BCS team on the schedule isn't very impressive, but beating a Pac-10 team that's much better than the Bruins, is.
Hosting UAB. Another pastry. And right before the LSU game, but give the Vols props for scheduling NO FCS teams.
At Memphis. This game comes right before the final three-game gauntlet of Ole Miss, Vandy, and Kentucky. If they had scheduled a Houston or Temple-like team here and a BCS conference team cupcake in lieu of Akron, they would have had an A.
Kentucky Grade: F
At Louisville. The 'Ville used to be fun to watch under Petrino, but after he left and the Kragthorpe experiment exploded, the Cardinals now barely qualify as a BCS conference team.
Hosting Akron. The Zips are obviously enamored with this part of the country, as they will have played the Vols in the previous week. Gluttons for punishment? If I were a season ticket-holder for Kentucky, I would demand a refund after this pathetic schedule.
Hosting Western Kentucky. Technically, WKU is an FBS team, but two years ago they were an FCS team. The Hilltoppers went 0-12 last season, even losing to FCS powerhouse Central Arkansas, 28-7. As such, they are being viewed by me, the grader, as an FCS team.
Hosting Charleston-Southern. The reason why Kentucky schedules all of these patsies is simple: Win them all and they only have to beat Mississippi State and Vandy to get bowl-eligible. It's a formula that has worked for four years running.
Vanderbilt Grade: A+
Hosting Northwestern. Playing a surging Big Ten team is gutsy as hell for a school saddled with academic restrictions. But Stanford did it, and it's starting to pay off dividends.
At UConn. Another BCS conference team on an SEC team's schedule? And on the road? WOW! The Big East finished very well in the Bowl Cup Challenge, and UConn beat the crap out of South Carolina, 20-7, in the PapaJohns.com Bowl.
At Eastern Michigan. The MAC is a good middle-tier conference, and while this isn't the best of the three directional Michigan schools in the MAC, it's NOT an FCS team.
Hosting Wake Forest. Give it up to the 'Dores for scheduling a third BCS conference team and NO FCS teams. Simply a superb effort guys. R.I.P.
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Comments
Baby steps
As we have all discussed here before, advancing our team requires incremental steps. Obviously we need to consistently start beating more SEC teams and we also need to strengthen our non-conference schedule.
The question become, which do you attempt to do first?
I agree. I’m in my mid 60’s and I certainly don’t want to rush into anything. Just hope sometime before I totally lose my sight and hearing, I’ll get to experience us winning or finishing in the top three in the SEC EAST.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
ALSO
This wasn’t posted for the lady’s comments. It was listed to show who each is playing out of conference.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
You are obviously someone who is up on UK football
Have you heard of Mark Menach? Maybe I’m spelling his name wrong; but this guy was the strength coach at Boyd County High School in the 80’s and claimed to be a former UK player.Can’t find a single mention of him anywhere on the net.
"all the way"
I think that you gave Ms St and Tenn bum raps.
Shouldn’t the viewing of non-conference difficulty be a willingness to schedule someone that has a decent chance to beat you? While Ms. St. did not schedule BCS teams, look at what they did do. They will probably be challenged by both Memphis and maybe UAB and could be the underdog at Houston. As for UT, they scheduled a game that should be an auto loss in Oregon. It may be in Knoxville, but that is a game that they will probably be double digit underdogs.
Vandy gets a little too much credit when you realize that every BCS team wants to play them for homecoming, they get to pick the games where they think they might have a prayer.
I didn’t give anybody anything.
That was the view of the lady who wrote the column.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
Which you copied and pasted verbatim
In those situations, a FanShot with a link to it generally works…
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Just out of curiosity, what does a Michigan football fan know about the SEC???....
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
I'll admit that I didn't read the article
Primarily because I find the premise flawed.
The SEC has won more BCS trophies than the other conferences combined at this point. If the goal is to win national titles… then it is clear that the method has been found. Why should the SEC schedule tough non-conference schedules when that would presumably make it more difficult to reach the goal?
Until the system changes, stick with what works.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Did a little number crunching:
Rather than look at each non-conference opponent’s RPI for just last year, I averaged the last four years. This was done to get a better feel for the opponents quality and eliminate single year anomalies. With the results I simply averaged each school’s non-conference opponents. The one problem was Bama- they play Georgia State. Georgia State is entering it’s very first year of playing football. To top it off, they are coached by Bill Curry! Good luck. Anyway, I gave them a 2009 RPI of 245 (last) then used Charleston-Southern’s numbers for previous years since that was Florida’s whipping post this past year.
Results in order:
Florida – 71
Vandy – 79
South Carolina – 80
LSU – 90
Ole Miss – 111
Bama – 112
Auburn – 113
Tennessee – 113
Arkansas – 122
Kentucky – 127
MSU – 130
Georgia – 143
Seems Alabama has enough respect for giving Georgia State a place on there schedule to help Curry with his recruiting.
Are you saying Florida has the best non conference schedule or Georgia?
South Carolina played Norfth Carolina State and Clemson.
Georgia played Okla State and Georgia Tech.
Hard to tell which way to read the list.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
Paris unwittingly proves my point
Alabama: San Jose State, and Georgia State.
Auburn: Arkansas State, Louisiana Monroe, UT Chatt.(Where TO went to school).
Arkansas: Tenn. Tech, Louisiana Monoe, UTEP.
Georgia: Louisiana Lafayette, Idaho State.
Florida: Miami, OH, Appy State.
Ole Miss: Jacksonville State, Tulane, Fresno State.
Miss. State: Alcorn State, UAB.
LSU: Louisiana Monroe, McNeese St.
UK: Akron, WKU, Charleston Southern.
Vandy: Eastern Michigan
As I said, everybody does it.
Also Florida plays Florida A&M (DII) fairly frequently.
Ken
Seems Vanderbilt has decided to play some known conferences. A Big Ten Team, a Big East team and an ACC team.
others are playing Memphis, UAB, and other schools but we like Western, Arkon, and Charleston Southern. We can’t say anything about them playing Louisiana Monroe or Miami of Ohio can we? Our path last year.
How many of the other teams need to win all four non confetence games to get bowl eligibility?
I know, baby steps.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
Okay, here we go ...
First thing: UK did not have to win all four ooc games to be bowl eligible. They were 4-0 in ooc games and were 7-5 (3-5) at the end of the regular season, so obviously, needing six wins to be bowl eligible, they only had to win three of the ooc games, this year, to be bowl eligible.
Second thing: Trumpeting Memphis and UAB as an upgrade over UK’s ooc is a mistake. Memphis (C-USA) was 2-10 last year, with losses to Middle Tenn. (31-14), Tenn. (56-28), Ole Miss (45-14), Houston (55-14). They beat Tenn. Martin, and UTEP.
UAB was 5-7, also in Conf. USA. They lost to Troy (SBC) 27-14, Ole Miss (48-13), and, get this, Florida Atlantic (56-29).
Third Thing: You haven’t on this thread, but you’ve written extensively on ASoB about the addition of an extra (12th) game on the schedule (added in 2002), as being a reason to discount the advancements UK has made over the last four years. In my mind, that’s a valid claim, so let’s take a look at it: I’m going to add a victory (which represents the extra game they now play), to ever team’s record since 1980. I could have went back all the way to the mid 50’s (the results are pretty much the same), but this will give us a pretty good idea if the program has regressed, stayed stagnant, or gotten better (bowl games not included in these figures, but more on that later):
1980: 4-8
’81: 4-8
’82: 1-10-1
’83: 6-5-1
’84: 9-3
’85: 6-6
’86: 6-5-1
’87: 6-6
’88: 6-6
’89: 7-5
’90: 5-7
’91: 4-8
’92: 5-7
’93: 7-5
’94: 2-10
’95: 5-7
’96: 5-7
’97: 6-6
’98: 8-5
’99: 7-6
’00: 3-9
’01: 3-9
’02: 8-5 … and then, the last four years …
’06: 7-5
’07: 7-5
’08: 6-6
’09: 7-5
UK’s record over the last four years (not including bowl games) is: 27-21, a .563 winning percentage. Here are the best four year periods over the last 30 years, if one adds one victory, as I have above, to each season except 2006-2009:
‘83-’86: 27-19-2 (.563)
‘84-’87: 27-20-1 (.563)
‘85-’88: 24-23-1 (.500)
‘86-’89: 25-22-1 (.521)
Adding a victory to each year, (‘80-’02) and including bowl games, this is what we have: 2006-2009: 30-22 (.577)
‘83-’86: 30-19-2 (.588)
‘84-’87: 28-20-1 (.571)
Using this data as a yardstick for success, the ‘06-’09 teams have been the most successful since 1986, when taking into consideration the bowl game results. If one considers the results of eh regular season ONLY, then the four year period just finished (‘06-’09), has been the most successful since 1987.
Now, one can split hairs, as you are apt to do, and protest,“the SEC was tougher back then, UK doesn’t play the schedule now, that they did back then.” Well, if somebody else wants to break down every SEC team, every year since 1980, be my guest. But, I will offer this up without hesitation; over the last four years, the SEC has been as strong as it’s ever been. Four national titles in a row … never been done before. Adding to the dilemma, is the fact that South Carolina and Arkansas were not part of the SEC until 1992 season, which makes it very difficult to get a solid judgment on whether the SEC is a stronger league now, or then. And really, whatever differences there are in the quality of football played in the conference over the last 30 years is minimal. It’s always been a tough league (most times the toughest), and I’m sure it will remain that way.
Fourth Thing: Here’s the SEC teams (except Florida, and Alabama), and their non-conference schedule and results from last year. As you’ll see, no SEC team who went bowling, had to win all of their ooc games to be bowl eligible.
Auburn: 7-5 (3-5) OOC: Beat Louisiana Tech, West Virginia, Ball State, Furman.
Tennessee: 7-5 (4-4) OOC: Beat Western Kentucky, Ohio University, and Memphis; Lost to UCLA.
Ole Miss: 8-4 (4-4) OOC: Beat Memphis, Southeastern Louisiana, UAB, and Northern Arizona.
Arkansas: 7-5 (3-5) OOC: Beat Missouri State, Texas A&M, Eastern Michigan, and Troy.
Georgia: 7-5 (4-4) OOC: Beat Arizona State, Tenn. Tech, Georgia Tech. Lost to Oklahoma State.
Kentucky: 7-5 (3-5) OOC: Beat Louisville, Miami (OH), Louisiana Monroe, and Eastern Kentucky.
South Carolina: 7-5 (3-5) OOC: Beat NC State, Florida Atlantic, South Carolina State, Clemson.
I know, Vandy didn’t go bowling last year, or any other year for that matter (okay, they went to a bowl two seasons ago for the first time since 1876 or so), but I include them on this list for what will be obvious reasons: Vanderbilt: 2-8 (0-8) OOC: Beat Western Carolina and Rice. Lost to Army, and Louisiana Tech. Yeah, they’re making good decisions down in Nashville. By the way, the reason they’re playing such a rugged schedule is because they don’t have an athletic director. Their athletic program is run by a committee, so there’s no one person to point to when the situation heads south. But heck, 2-10, that ain’t bad. As a matter of fact, I have an idea; Why don’t you buy some gold and black gear, and become a Vandy fan. You can stay at my house (I live only 60 miles from the Music City) when you go to the games. And be sure and take lots of friends, they’ll be about 35,000 empty seats … you’ll have plenty of room.
And lastly (finally), you imply with your final sentence (“I know, baby steps,”), that taking incremental steps, or baby steps, is a bad thing. This I don’t understand.
I don’t know, but I’m pleased that this program has beaten the No. 1 team in the country (LSU in ‘06), for the first time since 1961. I’m pleased that UK has beaten Georgia two of the last four years. Something that hadn’t been done since 1988 and ‘90. I’m pleased this past year UK beat Georgia, in Athens, for the first time since 1977. I’m pleased that UK won three straight SEC road games (against two bowl teams) for the first time since the ‘77 team won 4 in a row. I’m pleased that UK has gone to four straight bowls (representing four straight winning seasons; another first) something that has never happened before – If you add one victory per year to each team’s record (since 1980), the period between ‘83-’89 experienced no losing records, therefore, the possibility that UK could have gone to seven straight bowl games (in ‘89 UK was 6-5 and didn’t get a bowl invite, conversely, in ‘83, they were 6-4-1 and did get a bowl invite), is a long shot, but it’s possible – I’m pleased UK won three straight bowl games; something that’s never been done before at Kentucky.
Am I pleased UK has lost 25 straight to UT? Heck, no. That streak frustrates the hell out of me. I was standing in the fourth row, on the 50-yard line, right behind the Tennessee bench, for this year’s game. And sitting directly in front of me were two Vol fans. So no, I wasn’t the least bit pleased with the outcome. Am I pleased that UK hasn’t beaten Florida since the Reagan administration (‘86)? I hate the Gators, is a sports-hate kinda way, so no, I’d give a grand sum for UK to beat those guys. Am I pleased UK hasn’t beaten South Carolina since 1999? No, and mainly because there program really isn’t much different than UK’s, and I can’t stand Steve Spurrier (although I think he’s a great coach).
But what I remember is that 60 years of mediocrity (at best), with at best scantily scattered periods of competence, cannot be overcome in four, five or six years, especially coming on the heels of probation. It takes some time. I know my six year old doesn’t understand that concept, but surely you do.
And finally, as long as I feel that the program is heading in the right direction, it will have my full support. And speaking of direction: This thing with Joker becoming the new head coach is a bit of a crossroads for the program. Will he be great, or will he flop? No one, and I mean no one knows the answers to those questions. We can all opine, but the two or three years in front of us will tell the tale … frontward, backward, or stagnant.
But in my mind, it is a nearly indefensible position to postulate that the program hasn’t grown from what it was 5, 10, 15, 20 years ago. Even worse, to be so highly critical of something that so clearly has been a good thing – I know, you hate Mitch Barnhart, so the fact that Barnhart hired Brooks makes it very difficult, if not impossible, for you to give Brooks even a modicum of credit. But, you can’t let the personality garbage cloud your judgment, it’s not becoming, and it most times leads to erroneous conclusions.
In all honesty, I don’t expect anything I’ve written, whether it be what I’ve penned here, or the literally thousands of words I’ve written about the football program over the last two season, to change your mind, or anyone else who thinks like you. Some fans are gonna think, what they’re gonna think, and no amount of debate, or discourse of any kind is likely to alter the opinions held by those few. But that’s okay, it’s just the nature of some fans.
And, if anyone is still reading this, you have way too much time on your hands:)
by Ken Howlett on Feb 6, 2010 3:06 AM EST reply actions 4 recs
I obviously
have way too much time but I agree 100% with everything you said. I have stated before that if Joker can just add one more victory a year on the average for the next 3 to 4 years we reach a new level and better positioning for future success. The only way we have made huge progress in the past has been by breaking the rules. I think the baby steps plan is much better.
I read every bit of it Ken! :-)
Nicely done… The only thing you failed to mention was the obvious enthusiasm towards the football program nowadays. Do you think Paris and yourself would have been having this conversation 10 years ago?? That in itself should represent a step forward!
If your wings don't sweep....
I can't believe that anyone is hating on Paris
For wanting more success for UK football
"all the way"
ro, they want winners too. The problem is they don’t care when it happens. I’m in my sixties and I’d like to see it before I die.
Of course they hate me.
You’ll find on this board if you aren’t rah, rah, and join the pep rally, your will be questioned on your knowledge, your loyality, and what ever.
Enjoy it and keep reading. You will find more excuses, reasons, and quite a bit of mind and lip reading done on here.
Its all in fun.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
Wow, what an amazing cop-out.
Just because others see progress and are patient, they are the deluded ones. Your comment is like an inmate in the asylum saying the world is crazy.
I won't be questioned on my loyalty
I’m rabid with wanting to see success just beyond respectability. But I don’t want to go back to unrespectability. I have a fantasy plan if they would have had a coaching search: Hire Jim Donnan; former Marshall and Georgia Coach. Obviously he could recruit, and he knew what it took to put Marshall in a position to vault from AA to division one. I think he could take us from 2 to 3 SEC wins a year to 3 to 4.
"all the way"
Bologna
Paris is a Negetive Nancy. It has nothing to do with toeing the party line. There have been plenty of times other posters have taken unpopular stances. Its the way you put it out there all the time.
Everything about your online personality makes you seem like a miserable human being. In person, you may be a real peach… but online, you’re just about the last person I enjoy seeing a thread from.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
by chirop1 on Feb 8, 2010 4:11 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Neck cracker
Why the bashing?
Can’t add anything to the conversation so you want to make your presence known?
Am I going to join the party line? Maybe went it gets though being a pep rally.
It amazing me that when you can’t add anything worthwhile you resort to bashing. Pretty much shows your intelligence. Try bullying some one else.
Talk football or go away.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
Bashing?
No Bashing.
As to being on topic or not, I was responding to the comment from ro up above. Perhaps you have problems sorting out where things sit. I’m never shy about my opinion, and unlike most net lurkers… I’m not shy about attaching my name to things. The fact that you like to take oblique shots at my profession is only available to you because its information I share openly in my profile. Besides… I crack mid-backs, low-backs, ankles, wrists… lots of stuff, not just necks. ;-)
When it comes to football questions, I’m sure you’ve noticed that I respond with reasoned replies. I don’t throw a tantrum and scream and kick and say “But that’s not the way I want it to be.” Its not toeing a party line and its certainly not being “rah rah” about everything, its accepting the realities of college football in the Bowl Championship Subdivision.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
So all my comments are negative?
Hardly and I have a “plan”; obviously unlike Barnhardt. It seems simple to me,if you are not willing to spend the same money on one program as another..
"all the way"
Wasn't referring to you
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
You do realize hoboat ...
there is the possibility of your reply being misunderstood, solely based on where it sits on the page.
Just sayin’ ;-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
I know what he's saying.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
How do you get that?
No one is “hating on Paris”
But, when someone refuses to even consider an alternate opinion, especially when one’s opinion is so outlandish, and indefensible, folks get frustrated. And don’t hit me with, “everybody has an opinion.” While that may be true, some opinions are right and can be backed up with loads of data, and some opinions are just baloney, and void of any semblance of logical reasoning.
And by the way, he doesn’t want “more success” for UK football. He wants them to win the SEC East, and then he’ll be happy. Truly a sad state of affairs.
I’ve totally obliterated his contentions, so now, he will revert back to his typical mindless garbage about being rah rah, and all that bullshit.
But I’m done with him. The three hours I put into destroying nearly everyting negative he’s written about the football team over the last two years, should be ample proof of his lack of knowledge about the current state of UK football affairs.
Am I to understand you don’t want toe Cats to win the SEC EAST? Of course you do. You are willing to wait until, please fill in the year.
Tell me the opinion that I made that can’t be backed up?
You haven’t obilterated any of my opinions. None.
What did you distroy? You made a point for me that Claiborne would have gone to seven straight bowls under the current system. Really he wouldn’t because there was only 18 bowls back then and you had to beat some one to get a bid. Just just anyone.
You mention how good the team was the last two years. Where did we finish offensively in each of those years?
Nice try and of course with your status with this blog you will get the last word. Try to make it the truth.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
we did play for 2nd in the sec east this year...
cannot remember the last time we finished in the top half of the sec….
i would call that progress
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Feb 7, 2010 1:13 AM EST up reply actions
You're new.
I’ll forgive you if you don’t know about Paris’ record here. (Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but he’s been banned from the site under at least two other similar screen names.)
No one is hating on Paris “for wanting more success for UK football.” Everyone wants that. What most people tire of quickly is Paris’ thinly veiled insults and refusal to accept the realities of college football in their entirety.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Paris ...
… has not been banned under any user name. He had some difficulties with other names logging in, but he has never been banned and he is a member in good standing.
I guess reality is a little different to different people. Paris clearly dislikes Barnhart, and has made no secret of that fact. But he is not alone there.
In the end, reality is as you perceive it. I happen to agree more with your version than Paris’, but as a general proposition, his point of view is as valid as any.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
But Tru,
“neck cracker” has been used more than once, and I definitely consider that to be name calling and disrespectful.
I know I am only a guest here….but I am quite fond of this site. It is my one and only UK blog. :-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Loosen up
I don’t mean it in a disrespective manner. It was said in jest. I doubt that is the first time he has heard it.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
WOW nice job!
Ken, you did a lot of work.
Tell us your inside knowledge on how the Vanderbilt system works. I know they don’t have an athletic director but does that mean since they don’t, they don’t have someone overseeing the scheduling? Please tell us.
And tellling us during the recruiting blog where every one is going to play and who will start. That really amazed me.
You must have been at recruiting central with Joker. Did they have refreshments?
On you own chart you show Kentucky would have been bowl eligible from 1983 thru 1989 using the same criteria as today. How many Division AA schools did the Cats play during that period?
In the last four years, we have finished either fifth or sixth in the EAST of the SEC. Our glory year we tied South Carolina for fourth. They beat us in the regular season. I would say that might give them a step up on that postiion.
OK so in three of the last four years we haven’t needed all three of our buy wins. Have we need two? Louisville has fallen but it looks like they might be getting up. Think we’ll need them then?
With all the hoopla of our new coach and his recruits, will we finish higher than fifth? Who in the EAST are we going to beat? Seems all of them did fairly well with their recruiting also.
We can baby step, crawl, or what ever, the picture is still the same.
Has the administration shown a desire to improve the program? Did we show we wanted improvement by going out and seeking the best available coach?
I hope Joker wins every game and all of his recruits make all american.
We are going to be the same until we decide to get serious about the program. Until then we are just the warm up act from basketball.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
So fix it Paris.......
lay out your plan to fix UK football…….quit your incessant whining about what someone else is doing and offer up a plan to fix what you deem to be broken.
Do they get your respect if we play Ohio State and Southern Cal every year?? Will you be happier if we lose two more games a year and dont go to a bowl game?? Do they get your respect if they hire Bobby Bowden instead of Joker Phillips….What is it gonna take to get you to give your beloved Wildcats the respect we all feel they deserve
If they win the SEC East will you stop griping?? I am just curious how you manage to complain non stop about this program, but you offer no solutions to the problems. Bitching for a living doesnt get you much unless your job is to keep a complaint dept. up and running. Just once I would love to see you offer up a comprehensive solution to the so-called problems you see, by doing something more than insulting everyone’s intellegence around here with your boo-hooing about Barnhart and formerly Brooks and now Phillips. Do you want everyone fired and start over?? Or how about this, let’s just spend 50 mil and get all the best of everything, best facilities, best coaches, all the best money can buy. Heck, let’s evern buy a few players while we are at it. If that is the only way we can get them to UK, just spend another mil or two every year and bring ’em on in. Oh wait, we have a budget, and football supporters, which you claim to be one of, they can pay the bill. You gonna write the check???
Being unhappy with progress is understandable, being frustrated, even. But all you do is complain. You point at this stat, or this stat, or this person, or that person, and you never offer a solution. So I either take that to mean that you dont know how to fix it as well, or you just dont feel like offering up your solutions unless you get paid??
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
GOOD STUFF!
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
ABC thanks for posting.
Yes siree bob, if they win the SEC EAST I’ll stop. I’d admit success if we finished third. Do I think we would get more respect playing Ohio State than Charleston Southern? Correct.
How much did we spend to fix the basketball program?
Do I think we could do better with an athletic director who wouldn’t be tickled to death to lose to Tennessee and going six and six? Do you think he should have rubber stamped Brooks suggestion of making Joker the coach in waiting?
Going to a bowl now means nothing. Over half the teams go to a bowl. When you have to find the weakest available to pad your schedule to brag about going bowling, it that progress?
Answer these for me.
Do you think Kentucky did the right thing in allowing Brooks to name his successor? This isn’t Texas or Florida State. Could we have found someone with head coaching experience to lead the program? We’ll never know will we?
I’m not knocking Joker. He hasn’t lost a game. I hope he doesn’t.
You say I’m whinning. Did i post something that isn’t true? Is the records correct? Did I say something that I lied about to make a point?
Remeber, you have your opinions and I have mine.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
So tell us how you want to fix it.......
Just answer the question……
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
A new athletic director who wants a winning football program. Anything wrong with that?
But he can’t just want it and throw another 35 million to basketball.
He will have to actually get off his but and go looking. Not accept the recommendation of the guy who got gitty by going to a bowl or two and letting him name his successor.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
So if Barnhart and Joker are gone, then you are happy????
Cause if that’s what it takes, youre gonna be one sad individual
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
I missed your answer on what it cost to fix the basketball program. Tell us.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
Cal is 3.5 Mil a year????
I dont understand why that has anything to do with football……but if you want to write a check to pay for a more expensive football coach feel free…….
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
I believe if you'll check back on an earlier post BY YOU you question the cost of fixing the program. I said how much did it cost to fix basketball? And that 3.5 in over hwo many years? And the buy out to Billy G.?
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
Which the people who fund the UKAA gladly paid......
if you can get them to fund a 3mil football coach, go for it…..although I honestly have no idea who you would get
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Correct
BUT we didn’t even get the chance to see who might be interested this time.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
and if those same people who paid all that money to get Cal here would have wanted a search
they probably would have ponied up the money to ship Joker out too.
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
that prospect doesnt do much to raise my eyebrows.
Not to mention he would have cost us more than he would have improved us.
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Just an example of the extreme risks
That would have to be taken in order for UK to make huge leaps
"all the way"
Joker Phillips was a safe decision
But not a dumb one. We can’t do any worse than stay the same. If he stays 5 years, and improves an SEC win every 2 years; then that would be unprecedented success for the modern program. 5secwins put us in a new years day bowl. A New Years day bowl bolsters recruiting; snowballs etc. a 4 and 8 season next year takes us back to Bil Curry level quicker than we could ever add wins. So, if all the programs in the SEC east improve or stay the same, where do we finish?
"all the way"
If you find anyone who knows the answer to that one
I need to call a friend who owns a “certain little book”…..lol
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
You say it all with this sentence
“… if they win the SEC East I’ll stop.”
If you measure success only in this way, you must be one miserable individual. And that’s too bad, you’re missing a pretty good time.
Sorry you two, I’m not here to say ‘next year’ or what ever year you choose. Is fourth in the conference what you say is success? Do they have to actually have to finish that high every year or do we say ’we’ll be back’ when we drop to the pattern of 5th and 6th place again?
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
Considering that by finishing fourth in the east...
We’re likely behind three of the best programs of all time… yes, I’ll accept that as a reality for Kentucky.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Neat with the green shadow!
So we can assume your content with the progress the progam is making?
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
Move UK To Another State
A breakdown of D1 recruits by state shows just what obstacles any UK coach will face. The Commonwealth ranks near the bottom nationally and is far and away the worst in the SEC. With such demographic reality it would seem that anything approaching .500 in conference is a noteworthy accomplishment.
"The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale." --Thomas Jefferson
The Commonwealth is wildly underrecruited
Georgetown and Ky Wesleyan clean up the mess and dominate their respective divisions in every sport.
"all the way"
If you think players who end up at KWC and G-town could play in the SEC
you are sadly mistaken. And it isn’t even close.
I'm sure there at least some.
And, some of the players Vandy and us have had on the field at times; would not have started at Georgetown.
"all the way"
C'mon ro....there is a big difference in dominating the NAIA or whatever
division they are in and even competing in the NCAA Div I
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Guys, its back to the simple fact,
Expect nothing and you won’t bee disappointed.
We don’t expect improvement. Of course we’ll welcome it. But do we really expect it?
If so, how many games do the Cats need to win to show improvement?
Simple question. Let’s hear your answer.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
4-4 In SEC ...
And/or 3-2 in SEC East.
"The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale." --Thomas Jefferson
I certainly do not expect great things for the 2010-2011 season.
We lost way to many lineman on both sides of the ball and we lost two very good linebackers.
If our defense is as good as it was last year (not to mean it was great at all), I will be pleasantly pleased.
Thanks for responding
you may be correct.
Ole Miss comes on the schedule but we play them in Oxford. South Carolina is making a lot of noice in the Columbia paper about this could be the year they compete for the East Campionship.
Tennesssee, new coach just like Auburn last year. BUT, Mississippi State also had a new coach and they beat us. Georgia is redoing there defensive staff, hard to read that one. Florida, well as the saying goes, is still going to be Florida. We should win against Vanderbilt.
Out of the West its Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Two pretty good teams.
Who do you think we going to beat in the East. Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Sout Carolina?
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
Georgia is through
For the time being;recruiting,but no coaching.the Qb is a stud though.
"all the way"
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