Kentucky Wildcat Football: It’s a great thing the games are played on the field, not the computer

According to the internet pundits, it is going to be a long cold Fall for Joker Phillips and his University of Kentucky Football Wildcats.  The wolves are out and they are howling that this season may rival Fran Curci’s 2-8-1 Wildcats of 1975.  Or Jerry Claiborne’s 0-10-1 1982 team.  It’s gotten so bad that the 1950 “mythical National Champion” team is planning to burn their Lettermen Jackets in effigy at the old Stoll Field.  And speaking of Stoll Field, is there a way to move the games there?  There is no way to fill up Commonwealth Stadium.

Of course, it’s not that bad, but if you rely on internet chatter, you may think so.  Just the other day, I saw a comment from someone that calls themselves “Izitbasketballseason yet?” that read something like this:

“OMG.  Kentucky needs to FIRE THE JOKE.  Thiz season gonna be turrible!!!!  I have had season ticket since 1970 and itz so bad I’m given them up.  No more JOKE 4 me.  My cuzin has a friend in UKAA that seys UK gonna hire Jimmy Jonson out of retirement!!!!! Kantucky be lucky to win 2 gamez!!!! Let’s get Jimmy!  Lets do that and win tha SEC!!!”

Granted, folks like “iz” represent the lunatic fringe of the fanbase but the national publications are not kind either.  As James pointed out on Friday, CBS Sports had a poll that listed Kentucky as the worst team in the state, behind Louisville and WKU.  So did Phil Steele. And Vegas bookies have set the line for Kentucky wins from 4 to 5.5.  Woe is UK?  Not necessarily.

Last year’s 5-7 record was disappointing, but it was not the end of the world.  And let’s recall that after the horrible seasons listed above, Kentucky did recover.  Fran Curci followed up 2-8-1 with 9-3 and 10-1.  Jerry Claiborne followed 0-10-1 with 6-5-1 and 9-3.  Even Rich Brooks followed 3-8 with four straight winning seasons.  There is a trend with Kentucky football.  When you think things are the worse, it gets better.  And for some Kentucky fans, this is rock bottom.

And in case you doubt, there is a legendary philosophical tale for Kentucky fans worried about a two win season.