Barrett Sallee

[Clad in Big Orange]

... but it is not realistic to pick Kentucky to beat Tennessee ... what could that possibly be based on other than a biased perspective? They could only muster 6 points against us last season with Levis at QB.

It was totally unrealistic to pick South Carolina over Tennessee last season, with a bum at QB for SC vs a Heismann front-runner for UT.

 

[sjt18]

This statement of mindset is the epitome of an inept and ineffectual leader when it comes to making adjustments for continued success.

It is very sad for we as Vol fans to have witnessed the downfall of our football program.

He seemingly did try and change with the "Clawfence" but didn't have the right athletes in place to make the change successfully and so quickly.

We still got "98!

I think he was flailing at that point but more than not having the right players and talent by then... he couldn't keep his hands off. Clawson has demonstrated both before and after that he can build a solid O. What he's done at WFU is pretty impressive. But Fulmer didn't like the way it was going and started to meddle. He was fearful and maybe rightly so. It is the HC's prerogative to do that but the compromise they ended up with was downright awful.

I know his sins are many but I still feel bad for Fulmer. Some say it was all about the money for him but I like to think that down deep he was still a Tennessee boy who truly cared about the program.

 

[sjt18]

It was totally unrealistic to pick South Carolina over Tennessee last season, with a bum at QB for SC vs a Heismann front-runner for UT.

Orange meet apple.

Yeah. If UK's WRs and QB play the games of their lives against a UT secondary with pretty much one CB healthy enough to play... and then every break that can go against the Vols does... then UK can beat UT.

However, these are two programs going in completely different directions. Recruiting to UK has always been tough. Give credit to Stoops for finding underrated players and developing well. But with UT and USCe now flexing some muscle... he isn't likely to get enough talent to stay out of the cellar. He should have taken one of his opportunities to level up. He was loyal to UK but if their next few years are reflective of their recruiting... they'll probably fire him.

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

Orange meet apple.

Yeah. If UK's WRs and QB play the games of their lives against a UT secondary with pretty much one CB healthy enough to play... and then every break that can go against the Vols does... then UK can beat UT.

However, these are two programs going in completely different directions. Recruiting to UK has always been tough. Give credit to Stoops for finding underrated players and developing well. But with UT and USCe now flexing some muscle... he isn't likely to get enough talent to stay out of the cellar. He should have taken one of his opportunities to level up. He was loyal to UK but if their next few years are reflective of their recruiting... they'll probably fire him.

I haven’t seen the 2023 Vols or cats play a game yet so I’m probably not the best person to say what’s realistic or not.

 

[orangebloodgmc]

He got the exact response from the fans he wanted.

Guffaws of derision?

 

[sjt18]

I haven’t seen the 2023 Vols or cats play a game yet so I’m probably not the best person to say what’s realistic or not.

Sure you are. You can look at the direction of the two programs. You can look at the rosters and returning talent. You can look at the quality of the staffs and support. You can even consider style of play... which strongly favors Heupel over Stoops. It reminds me of the style contrast between Spurrier and Fulmer.

"Realistic" isn't a great word. I'll grant you that. In the extreme, you may be struck by lightning this afternoon while petting your cat... it is "realistic". It just isn't likely... "likely" is a much better word.

The two programs just went through a cycle. UK hit its peak for more than a generation. UT hit its valley for about as long. UT was 9-3 vs UK from Fulmer's firing to Heupel being hired. If UK was going to make any kind of habit out of beating UT... they missed their window.

 

[aRmo]

I think he was flailing at that point but more than not having the right players and talent by then... he couldn't keep his hands off. Clawson has demonstrated both before and after that he can build a solid O. What he's done at WFU is pretty impressive. But Fulmer didn't like the way it was going and started to meddle. He was fearful and maybe rightly so. It is the HC's prerogative to do that but the compromise they ended up with was downright awful.

I know his sins are many but I still feel bad for Fulmer. Some say it was all about the money for him but I like to think that down deep he was still a Tennessee boy who truly cared about the program.

I kinda feel bad for him too. I think he cares for the program aswell just wasnt suited to be the one to take care of it in the long haul. The Pruitt debacle still baffles me. but thats an argument for another day.

 

[overseasorange2]

Wildkitties have some talent, but they are young at several places. They are putting a lot of stock into Leary, who is injury prone and coming off shoulder surgery. I don't think they'll win more than 7 games again.

They way they talk, you would think he is the next Tom Brady. They hyped Levis too!

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

I think he was flailing at that point but more than not having the right players and talent by then... he couldn't keep his hands off. Clawson has demonstrated both before and after that he can build a solid O. What he's done at WFU is pretty impressive. But Fulmer didn't like the way it was going and started to meddle. He was fearful and maybe rightly so. It is the HC's prerogative to do that but the compromise they ended up with was downright awful.

I know his sins are many but I still feel bad for Fulmer. Some say it was all about the money for him but I like to think that down deep he was still a Tennessee boy who truly cared about the program.

Yeah

Orange meet apple.

Yeah. If UK's WRs and QB play the games of their lives against a UT secondary with pretty much one CB healthy enough to play... and then every break that can go against the Vols does... then UK can beat UT.

However, these are two programs going in completely different directions. Recruiting to UK has always been tough. Give credit to Stoops for finding underrated players and developing well. But with UT and USCe now flexing some muscle... he isn't likely to get enough talent to stay out of the cellar. He should have taken one of his opportunities to level up. He was loyal to UK but if their next few years are reflective of their recruiting... they'll probably fire him.

Lol I guess people are gonna just bring up the cock disaster forever now

"Well boys, ya never know, the most unlikely thing possible may happen!"

I'd bet Heupel and everyone in the building won't forget that game for the rest of their lives. Hopefully experiencing that keeps anything like that from ever happening again. I mean playing Michigan in the CFP and maybe UGA in the title game might have been an even better learning experience but...alas

I pretty much feel like if our defense gets better that won't happen again.

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

I haven’t seen the 2023 Vols or cats play a game yet so I’m probably not the best person to say what’s realistic or not.

UK's only saving grace is that we will play then right after Bama

Even still they lost a lot on the line of scrimmage

A line of scrimmage we throughly dominated and we bring back a ton on said line of scrimmage.

 

[SpookyAction]

Even Saban flexed enough to continue winning championships when the CFB landscape changed.
He didn't/doesn't like it, but he actually did it.
Fulmer couldn't, and hiring Pruitt was a reflection of that. Even nearly a generation later, PF had not changed his football philosophy. He wanted a team that looked like an early 90's championship team.

 

[Vol865]

Leary is a much better QB than Levis. Idk if that will be enough but he gives them a better chance.

 

[sjt18]

Leary is a much better QB than Levis. Idk if that will be enough but he gives them a better chance.

Not bashing you but what do you base that on? Leary posted some good numbers but he played in the ACC with his numbers dropping off significantly against good opponents.

I thought Levis was overhyped... but I haven't seen proof that Leary is better. Physically, Levis is a freak.

 

[aRmo]

Leary is a much better QB than Levis. Idk if that will be enough but he gives them a better chance.

Leary might be a better QB. But that doesnt matter when your Offensive line cant block a parked car.

 

[Vol865]

Not bashing you but what do you base that on? Leary posted some good numbers but he played in the ACC with his numbers dropping off significantly against good opponents.

I thought Levis was overhyped... but I haven't seen proof that Leary is better. Physically, Levis is a freak.

Just by watching both of them play. Hooker came from the ACC too so that doesn't really tell me much at the surface level. Levis played in the SEC but struggled in almost every big game they had or looked mediocre and then lit up the bad defenses. Leary had a rough 2021 but their OC also got fired so blame who you will there but Leary had a great 2021 and performed well in big games. Leary makes good decisions, can make throws under pressure and throw people open in tight coverage. Levis struggled with all of those, especially making throws under pressure. I'm not an expert but I have studied the game and know it fairly well but at the end of the day it's all opinions. Even experts can be wrong so there's definitely a chance I could be.

 

[Pride85]

Guffaws?

Nope....there are now people on this site that know him now that didn't before.

 

[orangebloodgmc]

Nope....there are now people on this site that know him now that didn't before.

I commented on the thread, but did not click, and don't know one damn thang about her.

I have to say, my 20-month-old grand-son could reach in a jar and choose either an orange M&M or a blue one ... seems like that is all that this Sally lady did.

Now, if she had given thoughtfully-reasoned analysis of why Kentucky is better than Tennessee, unit by unit, and how that has changed for each team since last year, then that might be different. But I am not aware that that happened. If that was provided, please post examples.

 

[BowlBrother85]

There have been plenty of unexpected outcomes to sporting events. That's why they're played. I don't take the prediction personally; that's just his prediction and it's not a swipe at us.

It is a swipe at Tennessee.

 

[BowlBrother85]

It was totally unrealistic to pick South Carolina over Tennessee last season, with a bum at QB for SC vs a Heismann front-runner for UT.

Even before last year's game was played, South Carolina had beaten Tennessee more times (8) from 2005 - 2021, than Kentucky has currently beaten Tennessee since 1965 (7).

Since 2005, Tennessee vs South Carolina is a dead even series now (9-9). It's not the same thing at all.

 

[sjt18]

Just by watching both of them play. Hooker came from the ACC too so that doesn't really tell me much at the surface level. Levis played in the SEC but struggled in almost every big game they had or looked mediocre and then lit up the bad defenses. Leary had a rough 2021 but their OC also got fired so blame who you will there but Leary had a great 2021 and performed well in big games. Leary makes good decisions, can make throws under pressure and throw people open in tight coverage. Levis struggled with all of those, especially making throws under pressure. I'm not an expert but I have studied the game and know it fairly well but at the end of the day it's all opinions. Even experts can be wrong so there's definitely a chance I could be.

Aside from QB, I just don't believe UK has or will continue to have the guns to beat UT or even USCe.

 

[joevols89]

Leary might be a better QB. But that doesnt matter when your Offensive line cant block a parked car.

They added some quality guys on the oline as well in the portal. They’ll have a solid team and an OC who isn’t terrible.

 

[SpookyAction]

They added some quality guys on the oline as well in the portal. They’ll have a solid team and an OC who isn’t terrible.

True, but Lexington is a place good OCs go to get demoted for their next job.

Stoops is not going to open the playbook. He didn't even do it for Levis, and he is the best QB they'd had for a while. I would say since Andre Woodson.

Thinking about Stoops' coaching style, I'm shocked Fulmer didn't at least kick the tires on Mark Stoops.

 

[EasternVol]

True, but Lexington is a place good OCs go to get demoted for their next job.

Stoops is not going to open the playbook. He didn't even do it for Levis, and he is the best QB they'd had for a while. I would say since Andre Woodson.

Thinking about Stoops' coaching style, I'm shocked Fulmer didn't at least kick the tires on Mark Stoops.

Mark Stoops wouldn't have been a puppet so Fulmer probably wasn't very interested in him.

 

[Volfan1000]

Nah, he went to Auburn.

His opinion doesn't mean a hill of beans.

 

[BowlBrother85]

UK's only saving grace is that we will play then right after Bama

Even still they lost a lot on the line of scrimmage

A line of scrimmage we throughly dominated and we bring back a ton on said line of scrimmage.

Last year, it was being said that Kentucky was a dangerous "trap game" for Tennessee because we played Georgia the next week. Tennessee won 44-6. It's annoying how often this game has been over-hyped as a potential loss for Tennessee. Watch the two games played under Heupel ... Kentucky's defense has not been able to match up with his system.

... and Kentucky has never earned as much respect from Tennessee as they seem to get on here. They are garbage.