University of Kentucky Football: It’s Time
By Terry Brown
For the University of Kentucky Football program, it’s time. It’s time to make that leap. It’s time to move toward consistent respectability. It’s time to deliver on the promises that have been made for years. It’s time for the Big Blue Faithful’s patience to be rewarded. It’s time to move up from the bottom of the Southeastern Conference. It’s just time for Kentucky Football to be as good as we all want it to be.
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Head Coach Mark Stoops has done things in Lexington that have been unmatched in program history, at least since Bear Bryant left over half a century ago. He and his staff have hit the recruiting trail, bringing in a wave of talent that the program hasn’t seen. Amazingly, he’s competing with the likes of Alabama for recruits. When has that ever happened for the Cats? Stoops has the fiery personality which has the fan base, and the players, fired up. After a recent lackluster practice, he called the team together for a night scrimmage. With the raves of the players afterward, it would appear that Stoops has their complete support.
Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Borrowing an idea from men’s basketball head coach John Calipari with his “scared money don’t make money” line, the UK Athletic Department has invested into the football program with upgrades to Commonwealth Stadium and other football facilities. The money has been invested to bring the football program more inline with the other programs around the SEC. Between the upgraded facilities and the upgraded roster, the football program is headed toward what most Big Blue Nation members feel is the inevitability of the the rise of the football program.
There has been progress since Stoops’ arrival. Although last year’s team ended the season on a six game losing streak, the Wildcats were still one win away from going bowling. The loss to Florida at Gainesville could have easily been a W and, despite what the folks in Card Nation say, the game against Louisville was closer than many anticipated going in. In fact, the gap between the Kentucky football program and other rival programs isn’t as wide as it has been. This can be the year the Cats end the losing streak against the Gators and restore balance to the Governor’s Cup rivalry.
Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
There’s a lot of football to be played between September 5 to November 28. The Wildcats and Coach Stoops will have plenty of opportunity to show the country that these aren’t the same old Wildcats. It’s time to show everyone that the program has gotten over the hump and turned the corner. It’s time to be All In and go bowling.
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