It's January and We Get A Doubleheader!
By Paul Jordan
November Doubleheaders, sure, but they don’t mean nothing. December Doubleheaders are fine, but the Football game is going to be a blowout., right? But, hold on a second bub, A January Doubleheader? And the games really mean something? This is new territory here. When was the last time the Cats were playing football after December 30th ? And when was the last Football/Basketball Doubleheader in January?
I looked back, and I cannot find the last time there was a Football/Basketball doubleheader in January. If there is one, then someone feel free to correct me. But this Saturday, starting at 12 noon we get to see the Randall Cobb Show, Followed by the BrandonKnight/Josh Harrellson 2011 Tour. And unless I am badly fooled, the Cats are going to rack up W’s in both games. Pittsburgh is a good football team, do not get me wrong. They play tough on both sides of the ball. And we are without Mike Hartline after his appearance on the Kentucky version of Stupid Pet Tricks.
So we are going to be in trouble right? Not necessarily. It is time for Morgan Newton to step into the role that he has been preparing himself for. He has had all year to watch Mike Hartline do what needs to be done to lead this team. Now it is his turn. No more ugly pass plays that look like the breaking up of a hard winter. And no more missed receivers 10 yds away. And Newton is also a mobile QB which adds another dimension.
Randall Cobb is probably going to steal the show along with Derrick Locke though, and that is alright. Pitt has never seen anything like Cobb when he is on his game, and I have this distinct feeling he is going to be very on his game. The defense will have had time to get healthy, and with the addition of Mister Cobble we should be better than we have been all year. I look for a high scoring affair with the Cats grinding it out for a 34-28 win.
Then, as soon as we get time to go grab a few hot wings, and something to chill them down with from the fridge, the Cats travel into Athens to start off the SEC portion of the schedule. Coming off of that wake-up call game against Penn, the Cats should not be so sluggish the first half against a dangerous Bulldog team at their home arena. Josh Harrellson looks to continue his meteoric rise to the top of the food chain in the SEC, and can now be considered among the best Centers the league has to offer. With Terrence Jones learning the passing game, and with teams now having to start keying on Harrellson, Jones is going to get even better looks at the basket, and he should feel more comfortable settling in with the rest of the Cats. Brandon Knight will continue his “silent assassin” impersonation, and I expect him to quietly put up about 20 for the game. This should also be a high scoring affair and the Cats should be able to withstand the Dawgs scratching and clawing at their tails the entire 40 minutes. Look for Darius Miller to make more headway, and for DeAndre Liggins to go for the single game steal mark. All in all the Cats are just too much for Georgia and they should put up another W 88-79.
Author’s note: I really hope this is not the last of these we see from the Cats. We have put most of the winning factors into place in our major athletic programs, Men’s Football and Basketball, Women’s Basketball and Volleyball, Men’s Baseball and Women’s Softball. Mitch Barnhart is right, we need new facilities desperately for many of the sports programs. And I believe he can get that done. Winning will see that the public wants it done as well.
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