[kentuckynole]

I agree with this, and I can see kentuckynoles point too. But West Virginia, Louisville, and Indiana are three very winnable games for UK. I think the UK-WVU game, if played yearly, would be big for both the SEC and Big East. I agree with kentuckynole that the SEC powerhouses dont play tough non conference schedules, but those are already established programs, and honestly dont really need the tougher schedules. For UK to be a top 20 team every season, beat WVU, Louisville, and IU, and if they can someday be a .500 conference team, it would do wonders for recruiting..the way the NCAA pollsters look at it is simple. If Kentucky beats Akron 48-10, and LSU beats Akron 48-10, LSU's win is greater.

But is WVU, Louisville, and Indiana winnable every year.
For example if our schedule this year was
At Louisville
WVU
at Indiana
Cupcake
4 road SEC games
4 Home SEC games

That is 6 home games every year playing those teams. Losing that one home game could cost UK 5 million dollars plus a higher bowl game.

Go 3-1 non conference and 4-4 in SEC that is 7-5 still Music City Bowl. If we go 8-4 by playing 4 cupcakes we go to Outback or Peach Bowl.

Go 4-0 in non-conference and 5-3 in SEC that's 9-3 we make Cotton Bowl However if we went 3-1 and 5-3 in SEC we go to Outback or Peach.

Beating Indiana helps us none with recruiting. We don't even recruit Indiana.

Kentucky use to play tougher non-conference games back in the Claiborne days 5-6 and 6-5 every year was the norm.

Win in the SEC and the recruiting and Top 20 will be there. Look up how long it has been since Kentucky has had a winning record in the SEC. It rarely happens that is why they need to 4 cupcakes.