Beating Louisville won't save the season, but does it help?
Kentucky football’s 2023 season has been worse than a disappointment, to put it as bluntly as possible. At 4-7 overall and 1-7 in SEC play, the Wildcats are enduring their worst conference performance in years on the scoreboard and on the field.
Scoring only 10 offensive touchdowns across eight SEC games and failing to crack 20 points in any of those contests—a dubious feat last accomplished in the 1980s during a winless campaign—fans are justifiably ready for some type of change.
If Kentucky doesn’t score a touchdown on this drive, it will be the first time since an 0-10-1 season in the 80s that the Wildcats were held to fewer than 21 points in every SEC game.
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) November 23, 2024
Kentucky scored a total of 10 offensive touchdowns in their 8 SEC games this season
— Corey Price (@coreyp08) November 24, 2024
The question in the immediate thought is now: will a victory over 7-4 Louisville, Kentucky’s bitter in-state rival, change the narrative at all?
What a Win Could Mean
- Boost for morale: Beating Louisville, especially at home, where there have been no big wins and only bad losses have happened this year, would provide a much-needed morale boost.
- Ending on a high note: A win could give Kentucky momentum heading into next year, particularly with young players like Cutter Boley gaining experience and trying to convince them to stay out of the portal.
- Rivalry dominance: Securing a sixth consecutive Governor’s Cup win would reinforce Kentucky’s recent superiority over Louisville and really help in recruiting battles.
What Fans Want
For many, however, it’s not just about winning—it’s about how they win.
- A close win might stave off total despair but won’t erase memories of offensive ineptitude.
- A blowout victory could give fans a glimmer of hope for 2024, especially if the offense shows life for the first time in months with the young guys starring.
The Reality of 2024
Even a big win over Louisville will not fully erase this season’s disappointment; that is clear. The offense’s failures—ranking among the worst in the SEC—highlight systemic issues that won’t be fixed overnight. Mark Stoops’ decision to retain offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan only adds to the skepticism surrounding next year, but a great showing may give a little spark of hope.
Bottom Line
A win against Louisville might spark short-term optimism, but 2024 will remain a negative season for many fans. Without a clear offensive overhaul and tangible results, the fanbase’s faith in Kentucky football’s trajectory will remain fragile at best.
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