The Architect

I do think our D has the talent equal to or better than Bama. But I think our defense will do a better job on keys and team defense. There were many times that Vandy was able to get a single defender in a bind or make them freeze. Diego gonna get some of his own yards for sure because he’s shifty and quick. But the running lanes should be more narrow for him, and the Cats rally to the ball pretty well. Pavia’s scramble-throw game is pretty damn good, though, so the secondary will need to be very disciplined and sticky to his receivers.

I have a notion to visit all the SEC stadiums eventually, and Oxford will be at or near the first I visit. But alas, it will not be this year.

I wouldn’t say ecstatic. We only got to watch just over 35 min of football. BVG was just hitting a stride, as was our defense.
I saw enough to be pleased and have some reasonable hope for a good season (8-9 wins if we steal 1 or 2).
TBH, the first quarter was a little shaky.
Best look was the return of complimentary football.

Didn’t read.

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I mean, we have a higher ranked class than Kentucky right now.

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No UK fan has knocked Cals' recruiting, he always gets HIS players.

I'll just say this...

Cal is great at doing Cal things and the things Cal likes to do.

He is not so great at other things. You will come to understand what the other things are.

Best of luck to you.

After we beat Mizzou a few times in a row, that game got pretty salty. Now without divisions, that budding rivalry will cool.

I agree with UL and UT. They are co-number ones for me in both bball and fball. UF is a close third, but more on the bball side over the long haul.

Guarded optimism. Defense should be pretty decent. Offense has some weapons, but I am not going to let myself think we'll score 30+ points per game.

I do believe that the offensive tempo will be increased significantly from previous years.

All we need to do is play a junk zone defense and run pick and roll offense relentlessly.

Hogs will fold like a cheap card table. Easy 20 point dub.

Imma put this here where maybe some level-headed people will read it.

Mitch hiring Mark Pope might be premature (we could have got him at the last hour). It might be a risk. But here's why I think it's the perfect hiring decision from Mitch's perspective.

Mitch will be retiring soon or moving on most likely. This may be the last coaching hire he makes. He swung for the fences with Hurley, who simply isn't interested. He went to a dear friend in Drew, who doesn't want to uproot 20+ years of friends and connections in TX.

In the end, he left the program in the hands of a guy who will put UK first. He hired the polar opposite of Cal. Cal is all about Cal and his players. Mark Pope will be all about the University of Kentucky. Mark Pope may not be a lot of things, but he will be a UK guy through and through. If he's successful, he'll stay for the long haul. If he isn't, it won't be because he doesn't love UK.

If Mitch couldn't get the best in the business, why not put the program in the hands of a guy who will always want the best for the University? Getting Mark Pope frees up about 4mil (easy) for NIL. If he doesn't work out, the next AD won't have to replace a "legend".

Is it the best hire? No.
Is it risky? Yes.
Will Pope be a UK legend? Remains to be seen. I'm willing to let it ride, and I'll be supportive of him and the team.

I think whatever Pope lacks in recruiting will be bolstered by the UK name brand and one of the best athletic departments in the country.

I do think he'll be a better bench coach than Cal, but that was a pretty low bar TBH.

GO CATS!!

Payne made himself available to kids at literally all hours the way I understand it. Cal's coaching can be a bitter pill (and frankly confusing sometimes), and I think he was the milk and cookies that helped the medicine go down.