I'm at a loss. What happened yesterday was a level of ineptitude I didn't think I'd see anytime soon. I don't know that a team could fail that badly if they tried to. While the defense put forth a valiant effort for a while, eventually they wore out and it turned into a laugher.Not that I can blame the defense. This is three straight weeks they've had to kill themselves on the field, while the offense is busy lighting farts (not really, but it would be much more entertaining to watch than this pathetic mess). But the fact is, they can't go a full 60 minutes at this rate, nor should they have to.
This season started with tempered expectations, and the WKU game didn't do much to raise them. But, the last few games have taken morale straight to the bottom. Even the blind-faith butt-kissing fans are starting to wonder what is going on, and that says something. It won't get any better, either, because by this point, the team's psyche is probably shot all to hell. It will be hard to recover any positive momentum, short of a group trip to a therapist.
So what happens? A few people have said this is pretty much rock bottom, and as far as on-field performance, I'd have to agree. Managing only 17 passing yards is both a travesty and an insult to the game of football. While we've become somewhat accustomed to poor offensive showings, I don't know that it has ever looked as outright hopeless as it did against South Carolina. For me, that's when I start to really get pissed, when the team acts like it isn't even trying anymore.
But what can we do? Personally, I think a coaching change is the answer. While mid-season coaching changes never work, this is a lost season anyway, and I'm all for sacrificing the rest of it with a new coach, if for no other reason than to get some work in a new system, and maybe get the fans on board for next year. Especially the season ticket holders; I can see a severe decrease in ticket sales next year if this dumpster fire isn't extinguished soon. When money stops coming in, that's when the administration takes notice.
Speaking of the administration, what is a reasonable expectation for Mitch Barnhart? Should we expect him to sit contentedly by (the most likely outcome, to me)? Should we expect him to fire Joker this week (I seriously doubt it)? Should we expect him to say Joker won't be back next season (I wish)?
Honestly, I don't see anything happening until after the Jacksonville State game. We knew going in this was a brutal three game stretch, and the team went 0-3, just like we figured they would. The problem is, the team wasn't competitive for any of the last 12 quarters. Some are saying the bye week comes at a bad time for Joker, but I disagree. Sure, he has to face criticism, but he has two weeks to get his guys on the same page and prove he has the ability to coach. The team can attempt to get some morale back, and prepare for a much lower-tier opponent. Although, if the team isn't on the same page six games in, I don't know that an extra week will do anything for them. We shall see, I guess.
Here's the caveat: if the team doesn't show marked improvement against Jacksonville State, and win convincingly, I think Joker & Company will be out of the frying pan and into the fire. And rightfully so. Honestly, at this point I'm expecting a loss, but I hope I'm wrong.
So what do we have the right to expect? A mid-season firing? A vote of confidence? Knee-jerk reaction says send them all packing and get a new face in here, but rational thought says wait until after the Jacksonville State game to evaluate the team's performance, and in turn, the head coach's future. But we warned, if Kentucky craps the bed against JSU, the wolves will get vicious in a hurry.
And I will be near the front of the pack.
Follow @chris_minton on Twitter for a little UK talk, and lots of random thoughts and crude words.
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