Vicky Graff Photo
Considering he has a $9 million per year contract until 2031, Tennessee is not exactly a must-win game for Kentucky coach Mark Stoops.
But is it a must-win game Saturday night for Stoops to keep Kentucky fans totally on his side the rest of this season?
“Based on what the stands looked like in the fourth quarter (of a 38-21 home loss to Missouri Oct. 14) … and I know the (rainy) weather impacted that and it was late … but fans did leave,” ESPN/SEC Network play-by-play announcer Tom Hart said.
“It’s hard to judge this team offensively going into the Tennessee game. I think (offensive coordinator) Liam (Coen) is going to make adjustments in what he asks (quarterback) Devin Leary to do.”
Hart believes Kentucky should do what South Carolina coach Shane Beamer did late last season when he simplified the playbook for Oklahoma transfer Spencer Ratliff.
“Ratliff was struggling with a very complicated offense after he ran a rather simple offense at Oklahoma,” Hart said. “Beamer tore the playbook in half, pared down the offense and found stuff he liked. They went out and hung 63 (points) on Tennessee and then beat Clemson.”
Hart said even if Kentucky has simplified the offense to make it easier for Leary, a transfer from North Carolina State, it might not be that easy to execute against Tennessee.
“There could be some growing pains and Tennessee also has a really good defense,” Hart said. “Tennessee has had its own struggles at quarterback and its lack of a true downfield passing attack should help the Kentucky defense make a lot of plays.”
4 Responses
I believe they do.
Not for me. I will be with them win or lose! I would like to see us develope a QB from recruit to starter, that way he is fully immersed in the system and understands what the coach is trying to do. I know the portal is the new "it" thing for QB’s(heck I am guessing almost half of the teams in the top 25 have transfer QB’s) and we made the move to keep from losing our tope recievers but I would still love to see us develope one! Sometimes what looks like an easy fix isn’t. Go Cats and beat the dirty Vols!
Considering Stoops has a buyout of 4.5 million, UK can get rid of him anytime. That buyout decreases 500 thousand each year of his contract. Barnhart is smart enough to not let a few whiney fans affect his decisions.
Jimmy, it may be that some of us just aren’t used to underachievement and underachievers like you seem to be. It’s more than likely that we lose the rest of our games this season. Is that product worth $9 million+ a year?