Kentucky Wildcats learn lessons in tough win over LSU Tigers

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

After two seasons, it appears that the Mark Stoops honeymoon as the Kentucky Wildcats head coach is ending.  Stoops faces a tough offseason and the final chapter on the Richmond ordeal has not been written yet and there is the possibility of adding a recruit or two.  However, the pressure to win in 2015 is there and it looks like Kentucky fans expect a bowl bid.  

"Chris Low: Mark Stoops, Kentucky As it turns out, the sky didn’t fall at Kentucky after the Wildcats lost six commitments in a span of eight days leading up to signing day. Thanks to some hustle by Stoops and his staff, Kentucky was able to plug some of the gaps late and finish with the nation’s 43rd-ranked class. The problem was that Stoops reeled in the 20th-ranked class the year before, so expectations were lofty. As Stoops enters his third season at Kentucky — with a brand-new contract that will pay him an average of $3.57 million per year — expectations will be equally high on the field. Kentucky will be aiming for its first winning season since 2009. The Wildcats looked like they were on their way in 2014 after starting out 5-1, but wound up losing their last six games."

I have stated for a bit that the Kentucky Wildcats 2015 class is a bit better than their ranking as the rankings relies basically on the star levels.  Make no mistake, the star system is a bit flawed and tends to reward the “sexy picks” a bit more.  This Kentucky class had a lot of linemen and there are very few four star and above recruits as compared to some positions.  A three star lineman is a very solid recruit even though the stars indicate they are average.  And I guess I am not the only one to think this class is a bit underrated.

"I think Josh Allen is a perfect example. When Kentucky offered, suddenly other offers came in after he committed to the Cats. If you read what his high school coach had to say about him, you have to agree with Kentucky’s decision to make the offer and accept his commitment. Kentucky’s offer and the commitment from Sihiem King surprised everyone. Tell me how a guy who scored 22 touchdowns in the Georgia 6-A division playoffs, and 47 TDs for the season in Georgia’s largest schools division, only gets a (5.5) 3*rating? Is the fact that he is smallish the reason, or is it because he didn’t participate in the camps and combines? I guess the Georgia 6-A division must not be very good (eyes rolling). If you watch his highlights, you have to scratch your head and wonder what’s wrong with this kid. He looks like a player to me.  I think a case can be made for the following players for a re-evaluation: Javon Provitt, Will Jackson, Courtney Miggins, Alvonte Bell and, perhaps, Derrick Baity. Just sayin’. Anyway, you can make your own decision about this class. My view is that it is better than the numbers show and I am not going to worry about our class rank. Even at # 35, it is still better than any class ranking before Mark Stoops arrived."