Do the Kentucky Wildcats have a tougher path to NCAA basketball title in 2014?

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction?  Seems that the folks at ESPN are not giving UK that much respect in their bid to end the streak at 26.  

"FLORIDA at KENTUCKY Low: One of these days, Kentucky is going to beat Florida again, but it won’t be this Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium. The Gators will make it 27 in a row over the Wildcats. … Florida 24, Kentucky 7 Aschoff: The Gators lost two of their top players for the season in less than seven days and have to go on the road with a first-time starter at quarterback. Still, the defense has too many weapons not to get the Gators to 2-0 in SEC play. … Florida 27, Kentucky 7"

I tend to agree that Florida’s defense is just plain nasty … but I will have my game preview up at 2:00 PM.  Not all the ESPN talking heads share the gllom and doom view.  There is always this:

Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky will be getting one of their weapons back on Saturday versus Florida as DeMarco Robinson is expected to play. Robinson will add a big boost to the Air Raid offense, but would provide a bigger boost if he can return kicks.

"Robinson, who was not available for interviews this week, is expected to play on Saturday. It’s unclear whether Collins will return to the field. But Kentucky needs both quantity and quality in the receiving corps. “They’re very important (to have back),” freshman Ryan Timmons said. “We go faster, we are trying to even go more faster than we have in the past. So having breaks and fresh legs out there can help this offense a lot. Hopefully it will tire the defenses and the DBs down.” In UK’s last game against Louisville, only three receivers caught more than one pass. Timmons said without as many breaks it’s harder for receivers to get into a rhythm because of constant fatigue. But wide receivers coach Tommy Mainord said adding bodies should help that problem. “That’s the biggest thing,” Mainord said. “(Extra receivers) give you depth where you’re not worried about killing some of those other guys out there and running them in the ground. (Robinson) brings more depth and helps us have more energy throughout the third and fourth quarter so we’re glad to have him for that reason if nothing else.” Robinson could bring more than just energy late in the game. He was UK’s kickoff and punt returner before being injured against the RedHawks. Robinson has resumed his duties as returner in practice this week, although there’s no guarantee he’ll start at the position on Saturday."

In case you have trouble getting hyped for the game …. there is always this

And on a final note … RIP to an old friend. Hopefully not forever.