Forget "strength vs. strength." This year’s Governor’s Cup is going to be "whoever is left vs. whoever is left."
We have seen injury-riddled games before, but this is different. This is a M*A*S*H unit matchup. Both Kentucky and Louisville are limping into Saturday with rosters that have been absolutely gutted by the long grind of the season.
Louisville is decimated
If you want to know why Louisville is on a three-game slide, look at their injury report. It reads like a horror novel.
- WR Chris Bell: OUT.
- RB Isaac Brown: Hamstring issue (after a 130-yard game).
- RB Keyjuan Brown: Did not play last week.
- RB Duke Watson: Injured at SMU.
At one point last week, Louisville literally had wide receivers taking handoffs just to field a team. And quarterback? It’s a mystery. Miller Moss has a "bizarre weight room injury," leaving Jeff Brohm scrambling to find someone, anyone, to take snaps. Who ends up under center may not even matter since they'll have nearly no one to hand the ball off to or throw to.
Kentucky is no better
Don't think the Wildcats have an advantage here. Kentucky was already down six defensive backs last week in Nashville against Vanderbilt, and now they have lost Kam Olds for the season.
With Sam Greene already out, Lorenzo Cowan and Steven Soles are going to have to grow up fast. And on offense, tight end Josh Kattus is done, meaning freshman sensation Willie Rodriguez (fresh off a 68-yard game) is now the guy.
The bottom line
Mark Stoops doesn't have to release an official injury report since Louisville is an ACC team, so he can keep his cards close to his vest. But we know the truth.
This game won't be decided by scheme or talent. It will be decided by duct tape and adrenaline. Whichever team can field 11 healthy bodies and survive four quarters of attrition is going to walk away with the trophy.