How many of you thought after the Louisville game that the Wildcats would have a chance to make it to a bowl game at this juncture in the season? Most of you, like our football editor Kyle stated in last night’s Podcast, would have probably laughed.
But this is no joke. If the Cats beat Vanderbilt on the road, then all they have to do is beat Georgia or Tennessee, and then it’s a bowl for the sixth straight year.
Kentucky (4-5) at Vanderbilt (4-5): Saturday November 12th, 12:21 PM
Usually the Vanderbilt game is considered an automatic win, but this year is much different. It appears as if the Cats have underachieved while the Commodores have overachieved in some instances. So, Vandy should be favorites at home, right?
While that may be the case, Vegas has them as 13 point favorites over the Wildcats, which I find to be ridiculous. Both teams are 4-5 for the year and both teams are 1-5 in the SEC; that’s not what I would call a huge gap in talent.
I suppose the odds makers are looking at Vanderbilt’s heroic five point loss to Florida, their astounding 3 point loss to Arkansas, and their eye popping five point loss to Georgia. That’s all nice and fluffy, but check this out: before the Cats mauled Ole Miss, the Rebs hung tough with Arkansas two weeks before and only lost by five at home.
The Cats are playing very well on offense with Max Smith at the helm and his complimentary cast of Coshik Williams, Larod King and Matt Roark. The defense is getting more rest due to the upward tick in the offensive performance. The team is finally beginning to meld into a unit, it has taken a while but now it is time to see if they can take the next step on the road. I’m thinking they can.
Cats 24-Commodores 18
Pittsburgh (4-5) at Louisville (5-4): Saturday November 12th, 12:00 PM
I’ve picked against the Cards three weeks in a row and they have proven me wrong three weeks in a row. They are actually playing some decent football at this time and Pittsburgh is not.
Louisville has won three games in a row, including against top 25 team West Virginia, and Pitt has lost the last two out of three games. The Panthers were once thought to be co-favorites along with WVU to win the Big East, but have fallen on hard times.
Louisville’s defense continues to come up with turnovers and their special teams have improved tremendously. The major game changer for them has been the play of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. I hate to say it, but the kid has got talent and he is going to be very special for the Cards.
The Cards continue to win and solidify a bowl spot.
Cards 27-Panthers 17
SEC Game of the Week: Auburn (6-3) at Georgia (7-2): Saturday November 12th, 3:30 PM
If Georgia wants the SEC East title, now is the time to take it. This will be the toughest challenge that the Bulldogs have left in the SEC this season (sorry Cats), and they have the game at home. The Tigers have been uneven at times but have played much better than expected and are still a very good football team.
South Carolina is a game back from Georgia for the lead in the east and they are welcoming the Gators. The Gamecocks are banged up with Marcus Lattimore out for the season and Connor Shaw is coming off of a mild concussion. Plus, their defense was just rocked by Arkansas.
The Bulldogs smell blood in the water. Their offense is much more balanced than Auburn’s but I am not sold on their defense. They are ranked 23rd overall but they have allowed some big points to be posted on them this season.
I still say they take this game and get to meet LSU for a beat down in the SEC Championship Game.
Dawgs 31-Tigers 25
Non SEC Game of the Week: #19 Nebraska (7-2) at #12 Penn State (8-1): Saturday November 12th, 12:00 PM
I almost did not want to talk about this game, but I have to. Not because of the rankings or the records, or because the stats or the players, but because of the impact on sports the Penn State scandal has had.
It is going to be interesting to see how the crowd reacts to their team as Joe Paterno will not be the coach for the first time in decades. I learned tonight that Paterno will not be given the courtesy of retiring on his own terms, which he does not deserve. Joe Pa is out at Penn State and rightfully so.
I must say that I feel awful for the kids playing PSU. They had nothing to do with their coaches transgressions nor those of any of the individuals involved, yet they will be associated with this tragedy, no matter what.
This situation will be too much for Penn State to handle.
Huskers 23-PSU 17
Clunker of the Week: Middle Tennessee State (2-6) at Louisiana Monroe (2-7): Saturday November 12th, 3:30 PM
MTSU lost to the Volunteers, so we know they suck. Louisiana Monroe lost to Western Kentucky, so we know they REALLY suck. Who will suck worse? Will anyone actually tune in to find out? I doubt it.
MTSU 7-ULM 6
NFL Game of the Week: Lions (6-2) at Bears (5-3): Sunday November 13th, 4:15 PM
There are some NFC wild card spots open and both of these teams are playing some impressive football this season. Neither team figures to win the NFC North, due to the dominance that is the Green Bay Packers, but they still look to be play off bound.
The Lions have recently lost two our of three, the losses coming against a very good 49ers team and the Falcons. The Bears have won three in a row against the Vikings the Buccaneers and the Eagles.
Detroit has a great quarterback/receiver tandem with Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson, not to mention a fierce defensive line. The Bears still have the Monsters of the Midway on the D along with a dangerous Jay Cutler, Matt Forte and Devin Hester scoring points.
This will come down to the home field advantage.
Bears 23-Lions 16