All righty then, time to digest all that has been said, read, written and broadcasted concerning tomorrow’s Clash Of The Titans. We have two sides of the very same coin here, but at very different points along the spectrum. UK is on the rise. We are in the middle of what could be referred to as a Renaissance Period for UK Football as it has been resurrected from the dead by Rich Brooks. A coaching change not withstanding, we are a better all-around team than we were last year. Our anemic passing attack aside, we have well trained, disciplined, and experienced players all over the field. Joker can simply maintain the status quo and get himself another bowl bid, or he can roll the dice and go for broke against the big boys when the opportunity arises. That is not the case here.
I studied under the ancient philosopher Kats-Pa as a youngster and he was able to give me some insight into this rivalry. He said it is simply a law of nature that the Cat feeds on the Bird. The Cat sees any weaker life form as it’s prey. The Bird, while knowing it has defenses of it’s own, senses that it is following in the order of things to be the prey of the Cat, and it rightfully submits. Kats-Pa was more than a mentor to me, he was a light in the darkness in the ways of the world. I was never so humbled as the day I saw him wiping the sweat from his brow with a Louisville flag which he now carried in his belt as a reminder that in Football as in life, all things must follow those unwritten laws of nature. He could work 18 hours a day in the hot sun clad in that bright Kentucky Blue Kimono, toiling to instruct us younglings in the ways of the Cats. Little did we know then what he was really trying to teach us. That being a Cats fan is a gift, a rendering from the Almighty that should be cherished as a truly noble right. Not something for the feint of heart, the weak in body, nor the weak in mind.
Louisville on the other hand is just starting what we began 7 years ago. Guided by an excellent coach (yes I know he has not won a game yet, but neither has Joker), Louisville and Charlie Strong are going to be a force for years to come. For the first time in a long time, both programs seem to be headed in the same direction at the same time, even though UL may be a bit behind us. Both coaches have strong values ( I gotta admit though, Charlie, staying out of jail as a rule of the program seems to be a bit low of an expectation, but I believe everyone gets your meaning, and it’s intent), they both want to put a winning product on the field.
Position by position the matchups seem to favor UK, simply from an experience factor. The QB situation is a big question mark for both schools, but both also have guys waiting in the wings if someone stumbles. Although this game may not be the marquis event for BCS tier college football, it will be an excellent benchmark for both coaches to build their season on. The pressure is all on UK, because frankly, it should be. If Louisville loses tomorrow, other than having to deal with the wrath of a very irritated Charlie Strong, both programs are going to move along as expected. If Kentucky were to lose, Joker Phillips must go into hyperdrive to find the problems and fix them, because he needs this game to go bowling. Lou Holtz’ psychotic departure from reality aside, Louisville is going to be a good team, but they are not there yet. Is this going to be a good game? It should be. Both schools play for pride, but in Football as in life, quality will make it’s way to the top. And that is no knock on either team. Both of these coaches know what it takes to win, and both know what it takes just to survive. Right now, Louisville is looking to survive and make a strong showing, pardon the pun. Joker Phillips is looking to make a statement with his team that will carry on for the year and into the grueling SEC schedule that UK faces every year in the SEC East.
Look for Joker to feed Louisville an overdose of a running game that they are not ready to put a stop to as of yet. when the Cats are not running Randall Cobb is going to be trying to earn the respect of the nonbelievers out there who showed him no love in the preseason All-American rankings. I know a lot of things in Kentucky Football are not perfect, but Randall Cobb not being named an All-American is a tragedy. Look for him to make a statement of his own. Louisville has some tools, and will make life tough for Mike Hartline and Co. for a while tomorrow. But know this, UK makes a very important first step towards what could possibly be their best shot at an SEC East title since the SEC East existed. They are playing for much more here than this one game, but every season needs a big win to kick it off. This is a must win for the Cats. Governor’s Trophy stays in Lexington yet again this year. But don’t make too much of it Big Blue Nation, Charlie Strong is going to make Louisville a force to be reckoned with. I only hope that Joker keeps the Cats up to snuff at the same time. UK 30-Louisville 19. And that is The Final Word.
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