@CoachRyanKY
(LEXINGTON)-Kentucky’s season so far has felt like one long, slow slide from optimism to sheer frustration. After a promising offseason, the Wildcats have fizzled in big games, showing the same old issues with play-calling, execution, and energy that fans have grown accustomed to seeing with Mark Stoops at the helm. Kentucky fans have supported this program through thick and thin, but patience is wearing on the side of thin. Here is what Stoops needs to do to get BBN back on board in 2024:
Ditch the Conservative Play-Calling
One thing Kentucky fans are tired of seeing? The same cautious, paint-by-numbers play-calling. The routine has become painfully predictable: a handoff for minimal gain, followed by a check-down pass, and maybe—if we’re lucky—a gutsy third-down attempt. For Kentucky to have a chance against Tennessee, Stoops needs to rip up the script and try something fresh. This isn’t the time for Stoops to get timid and play “not to lose.” Instead, Kentucky fans want to see an offense that isn’t afraid to push the envelope.
Whether it’s taking more shots downfield, running misdirection plays, or getting the quarterback involved in creative ways, the Wildcats have to show Tennessee that they’re not afraid to go for broke. Stoops has enough experience to know that “just good enough” doesn’t cut it anymore. Kentucky needs to be the aggressor, not the team just trying to stay in the game. Fans want Stoops to throw caution to the wind and start calling plays like he’s trying to actually win this thing.
“I don’t get involved in the play calling.” -Mark Stoops after loss at Florida
“I told him pound it.” -Mark Stoops after loss at Florida when questioned if he told Offensive Coordinator Bush Hamdan anything when Kentucky was inside the 5-yard Line and failed to convert for points.
Bring Some Energy for Once
One of the most frustrating things about watching Kentucky this season has been the lack of visible energy. Stoops’ team this year is notorious for starting slow, letting momentum slip, and appearing almost indifferent on the field. But guess what? It’s not enough to just show up in blue and white and hope for the best. Against a high-energy rival like Tennessee, Kentucky’s sideline needs to be fired up from the get-go.
Fans want to see passion, intensity, and a sense that the players are leaving it all out there. Stoops should know this by now: fans respond to effort, and they need to see that their team cares as much as they do. Tennessee won’t just roll over, so Kentucky has to match—and exceed—their energy on both sides of the ball. If Stoops can’t light a fire under his players, why should fans believe he can inspire a winning season next year?
Don’t Waste Scoring Opportunities
Kentucky’s offense has had a knack for stalling out in the red zone, which, let’s face it, drives fans bananas. For once, can we please see Stoops and the coaching staff actually capitalize on scoring chances? Settling for field goals when touchdowns are within reach won’t cut it against a team like Tennessee. Kentucky needs to be aggressive and find ways to convert red zone opportunities into seven points, not just three.
That means Stoops should focus on play designs that target Kentucky’s best players in scoring positions. Whether it’s setting up quick slants for Dane Key, using misdirection with Barion Brown to confuse Tennessee’s defense, or implementing quarterback-designed runs with Wimsatt, Stoops needs to do more than roll out the same tired red-zone plays. Fans are ready to cheer, but they’re going to need a reason to believe Kentucky can actually put points on the board.
Get the Defense to Show Up
Tennessee’s offense is no joke, and if Stoops wants to stay competitive, his defense needs to play the game of their lives. But it can’t be the typical “bend but don’t break” approach that Kentucky fans have come to dread. At times this season, Kentucky’s defense has looked reactive, waiting for the offense to make mistakes rather than forcing the issue. Kentucky fans don’t want to see a passive defense that looks happy to just keep the game close.
Kentucky’s defenders need to pressure Nico Iamaleava, cause turnovers, and, most importantly, get some stops. An energetic, disruptive defensive performance would go a long way toward making fans feel that Stoops understands their frustrations. Fans need to see that he has some kind of plan to elevate the defense, not just watch another game where Kentucky gets carved up on third and forever.
For Once, Make Some Halftime Adjustments
Another ongoing frustration? Kentucky’s lack of halftime adjustments. Time and again, Stoops and his staff seem content to keep playing the same way in the second half, even when it’s clear the game plan isn’t working. Against Tennessee, fans need to see Stoops willing to adapt, to find a new approach if things aren’t clicking by the half.
Fans can spot it a mile away when a coach is out of ideas, and this year, there have been too many games where Kentucky looks like it’s just going through the motions in the second half. At halftime, Stoops and company need to take a hard look at what’s working and what’s not, then make the necessary changes. Whether that means dialing up different offensive schemes, tightening up defensive coverages, or adjusting for Tennessee’s unique strengths, Stoops has to show fans that he is quick witted enough to adapt on the fly.
Give Fans a Reason to Hope
Ultimately, Kentucky fans need something tangible to hold onto for 2024. This game isn’t just about this season; it’s about giving fans a reason to believe that next year will be different. That means Stoops has to make a statement. Fans are tired of hearing the same post-game platitudes and reassurances. They want to see results. They want to see a Kentucky team that doesn’t just compete but actually shows it can deliver in high-stakes games.
If Stoops can pull off a win—or at least deliver a gritty, aggressive performance that goes down to the wire—he might be able to turn the tide of fan sentiment. But if Kentucky shows up looking unprepared, sluggish, or uninspired, the fallout will be inevitable. Stoops can only use the “we’re building” excuse for so long, and this game against Tennessee feels like a last stand of sorts.
Final Word: The Clock is Ticking
Kentucky fans have been remarkably patient, but patience is wearing thin. They want to believe in Stoops, but belief requires more than a recycled game plan and vague promises. Against Tennessee, Stoops has a chance to remind fans why they loved this program in the first place and why they invested so much hope in him as a coach. Kentucky football doesn’t need another poor, uninspiring performance. It needs a statement. And for Stoops, this is the perfect game to make it.
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