by Paul Jordan
#2 – 1996 (12-4)
#3 – 1984 – (14-1)
#4 – 1889 (13-2)
#5 – 1770 (15-1)
The Big Blue Nation took a giant sigh of relief this week as North Carolina tripped up on a great opportunity to gain ground in the race for all time wins. The lead was down to a mere four games but now is up to an 8 game bulge and UK seems destined to build on the lead more this season. UK had a little trouble of their own this week, getting a fight from the Georgia Bulldogs, but UK pulled away at the end and hung on for a 76-68 win.
North Carolina suffered a shocking loss on the road to the College of Charleston on Monday night 82-79. What North Carolina was doing taking that road trip, I don’t know, but I am happy because UNC could have cut the lead to 7 this week. On Sunday, the Tar Heels rebounded nicely by beating a tough Virginia Tech team at Chapel Hill 78-64.
THIS WEEK: Kentucky is on the road in the SEC this week, with a very tough game Tuesday night against the Florida Gators. Then on Saturday, they travel to Auburn to face the Tigers. UK struggled against a 3-13 team last year on Saturday, so you have to figure anything can happen on the road in the SEC this season.
North Carolina has a tough week as well. They travel to #21 Clemson (13-3) on Wednesday night in what will be a wild scene. Clemson will be looking for redemption after getting blown out by Duke last week. Then on Saturday, they host #17 Georgia Tech (12-3) who has to still be smarting after losing to unheralded Georgia.
FORECAST: I am not going to lie. I am nervous about Kentucky’s matchup against Florida but after looking at the teams and Florida’s lack of depth, I think UK can pull out the win in Gainesville. Look, we are 16-0. I am not going to be the first to pick against the Cats, but if a loss is looming … this could be it. UK should be able to handle a pretty average Auburn team on the road. I think the Georgia game was an eye opener for the young Wildcats and have them focused.
North Carolina is in for two fights this week. Clemson is a tough place to win at and until North Carolina proves they can win away from Chapel Hill, I have to go with Clemson. On the same logic, I have to give UNC a split this week, as they should handle Georgia Tech at home.
On Monday morning, the next edition of “The All Time Wins Leader” will look like this: Kentucky 2006, UNC 1997. It’s starting to look like a double digit lead, folks.
Stay tuned to Wildcat Blue Blog during the day as Andrew will provide us a final update on the ex-Wildcats in the NFL and Alan will bring us the latest poll action when they are released. UK should move up to the number 2 spot after Kansas’s loss and you have to wonder how close the voting for number 1 will be. I know personally, I am OK with #2 for now as I don’t want to take the number #1 ranking into Gainesville and make that target on our back even bigger… and if you are looking for good old fashioned Gator hate, just scroll down or click here.
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