I didn't want to do it, but after scanning KSR (something I unexplainably subject myself to twice annually - before either the first or third weekend in September and in late December/early January) and seeing so many people who have openly professed their hatred towards U of L and everything associated, I realized I'd feel a whole lot better to put some thoughts together.  Mike, you have chosen the relatively high road to this point and have not stooped to similar levels, but this site is my reading material of choice so I do not have another venue to let it all out. 

I live in Louisville but grew up outside of Jefferson County.  I have family who attended both schools.  I don't hate the University of Kentucky.  I don't hate men who coach their teams and I certainly don't wish harm upon the players competing on their teams.  I just really, really, really do not like a large contingent of UK fans.  The common theme most disturbing to me is the double standard their fans have for their program and everyone else.  They are largely hypocrites.  I was at the Orange Bowl, home games against WVU and Miami in 2006, FSU in 2002, and virtually every other memorable gridiron contest.  I have never enjoyed victories more than the wins in Lexington in 2003 and 2005.  And having experienced the vile behavior in 2007 I am in a weird way excited about being in the stands in less than 36 hours.  Even if we lose, I always feel better about myself after being in such proximity to so many UK fans.  I am not labeling all those cheering for UK, but I’ve seen a fair share of people supporting these views, mainly the grown men flicking me off and running their mouths directly at women leaving the stadium.

I checked this site’s archives and this provides me nearly all of the ammo I need:  http://www.cardchronicle.com/2007/9/16/02053/4416. 

Thoroughly uninformed in their arguments.  

No matter what the conversation, even in September during a successful season for their program, they still cannot help but bring up basketball.

Expressing joy when rival’s players get injured.

Believing UK is awesome because they play in the SEC and U of L sucks because they play in the Big East. 

This argument irks me the most.  So even when we beat other ranked conference foes, and win our conference (and dominate their team as well) it doesn’t matter. Granted our success in the conference has not been great as of late, but UK has only had a .500 conference record once in the last decade.  The Big/Little  Brother titles have been used ad nauseum, but I like to think of UK football as the superficial girl in high school who thought everyone should pay attention to her just because she hung out with the popular clique.  Look at it this way.  Rich Brooks does deserve a ton of credit for his work in the past couple seasons and they could turn the corner this season, but he still is eight games under .500 at UK and in the top five for all time victories.  Association within the SEC is great and all but until you consistently beat other bowl-bound teams, it does not matter.  They were 2-6 in SEC play last year and ECU was the only team they beat all season with a winning record. 

KSR’s recent posts have been just as astounding.

They throw out the name Willie Williams and bad mouth U of L for giving him a second (or 14th) chance, but easily forget that their hero from 2007, Steve Johnson, was allowed to play despite being arrested weeks before that contest for four traffic violations and resisting arrest. 

They joke that our program was born in 2003 in their eyes.  So Fiesta Bowl wins, 10 win seasons in 2000 and 2001 and top 25 rankings no longer matter.  I guess their successful program with swarms of fans started well before then…definitely before 2004, when they lost to Ohio at home.  No, what about 2005?  Oh, they lost to IU by 24 points that season.  So that leaves them with three consecutive seasons with a handful of quality wins…not that much more praiseworthy. 

They mention that UofL coaches have not had great success at other programs.  Guy Morriss at Baylor and Hal Mumme at New Mexico State were bad and horrendous. 

All UofL fans wear flat-bill hats have “line-beards” and love the rap music played non-stop in our stadium.  However, I only recall one of the teams had a rap video of their players including in the pregame montage.

Our stadium sucks and is named for a pizza company.  I guess the Kentucky Derby is no longer cool because it is now presented by Yum. 

Our mascot is a bird with teeth.  I’d like to point out the tongue of the Wildcat mascot from back in the day.  Which one is more ridiculous?  And one of their outfitted kitties is named Scratch and wears bib overalls and a backwards hat.  Push, at best, regardless of your affiliation. 

“L Yes” makes us uncool.  The John L. video and the hand gesture are two different things.  The cheerleaders do it, big deal.  This is no different than Oregon fans making an “O”, Ohio State and “O-H-I-O” or Miami and the “U”.  Plus, in Lexington last weekend I saw an “L Yeah” Lexington Legends bumper sticker.  Stupid slogan I guess. 

But I’ll now switch focus to thoughts on the game itself and not their delusional fan base.

This is the most overrated stat I have seen in quite a while.  UK has won 15 consecutive non-conference games, which is the third longest active streak.  After further review, other than the bowl victories, two wins against UofL and wins over Central Michigan in 2006 and FAU in 2007 (they were bowl teams), the wins have been over Texas State, Louisiana-Monroe, EKU, Kent State, Norfolk St. MTSU, WKU and Miami (OH).  Their recent string of success has been significantly aided by some weak wins.  It would be very nice to end that streak, but I’ll leave you with one additional parting thought.  Should UofL earn the win on the road this weekend, no matter how likely you see that outcome, you cannot ignore the potential adverse effect on UK’s season.  Their 1-0 record could very easily become 1-5.  Venue does not matter for the next two games against Alabama and Florida and road contests following that against Spurrier and Auburn could be big problems as well.  UK’s players and coaches have to recognize the importance of this victory and given the large point spread, let’s hope they come out tight and some early mistakes give us a real shot.  (I am trying to rationalize my excitement for the game.)

Despite winning 17 of 19 to end the season, despite going 8-1 in conference road games (and the best road record over the past three seasons), despite finishing with the best record in the best conference in Big East history and in the NCAA in the past three decades (per Dick Vitale, Bob Valvano, etc) so far zero of the national pundits have declared that UofL deserves a #1 seed and most have declared that they are "not a true champion".  Doug Gottlieb I'm looking at you. 

Argument against being the outright champion: Louisville did not play UCONN, Pitt or Marquette on road.  UofL's three home and away matchups were USF, WVU and Notre Dame.  ND was a preseason top 10 team (picked to finish ahead of Pitt).  Pitt's 3 were UCONN, WVU and Depaul.  Outside of the road game at UCONN these conference schedules are very comparable.  UCONN's 3 games were Seton Hall, Notre Dame and Pitt.  The road game at Pitt and Marquette are tough, but at the same time UofL played Syracuse and Villanova on the road.  Also the road ND loss is still haunting UofL, but Pitt and UCONN also each had one loss to a team in the bottom half of the the conference (UCONN vs Georgetown at home and PItt @ Providence). 

Argument against #1 seed:  OU lost most of their recent games because Griffin was not playing.  Doesn't matter.  They still lost to Kansas at home (their only meeting), Texas on road and Missouri on road (their only meeting).  What quality opponents are left in the Big 12, or on their whole schedule?  Davidson and Purdue on neutral courts, Oklahoma State?  Just because they have the best player does not mean they deserve the spot.  Michigan State and Memphis play in the Big Ten and C-USA, they would have to be amazing to get the seeding over the Big East champion. 

In the end, it doesn't really matter because that trophy, whenever the conference decides to deliver it to Louisville, is going to look nice.  It is only fitting that the lack of attention paid to T-Will on the national level is being extended to the whole team.  Here's hoping that these next weeks leave America with no doubt as to how good he, and the team, really are this year.  GO CARDS. 

FYI Mentioned this in the comments of the Ball State thread.  Figured more people may see this at top of page.  Just wanted to point out that the baseball series this weekend is actually beginning tomorrow with games also on Friday and finale on Saturday.  The times posted were correct.  (Thursday and Friday games are at 6:00 and Saturday game is slated for first pitch at 1:00).

Planning on making a game this weekend.  Hopefully there will be some good crowds.  

GO CARDS

If you were told before tonight's game the following facts, I would assume you would think outcome would be favorable for our beloved Cards.

White and Slaton: 3 fumbles in 2nd half
Slaton: 17 rushes 60 yards; 14 yards receiving
Schmitt: 5 yards rushing, 1 yard receiving
Devine: 11 yards rushing, 4 yards receiving
WVU:  11 penalties 116 yards
WVU: SIX consecutive offensive possessions at one point in second half without points
WVU: 217 yards rushing (averaging 300 per game)
Virtually even total offenses for WVU and UofL
Virtually even time of possession and number of plays
Brohm: 345 yards passing 2 TD, 1 INT (1 on Hail Mary is irrelevant to outcome of game)
UofL: 7 more first downs than WVU

However, only need two stats to explain losing:
UofL: 3/13 on Third Downs
UofL: 27 rushes for 37 yards - 1.4 avg. (RBs: 18 rushes for 41 yards - 2.28 avg.)

The WVU defense was an excellent pass defense unit, not especially impressive defending the run.  No excuses, run the ball harder, more often, and earlier to continue drives...which will WIN YOU THE BALL GAME.

Simple truth:  We lack the killer instinct we have shown in past three years.

Note: I realize at point almost everyone no longer really cares about the football season, but I just had to vent somewhere in an at least somewhat constructive manner.  I probably should be thinking about the round ball by now, but the memories of the a sea of black in the seats and beaches of Miami in January are still too fond.  

Mike, or any of the readers of this blog, how can we petition to get things changed with ESPNU?  (From what I have read on this site, I can think of at least three people who could provide far more coherent insight.)  I am all for a station fully devoted to college athletics.  I have paid extra on my cable package to watch the station with somewhat regularity.  But for the love of the game, please stop glamorizing the role of the broadcasters so damn much.  When the game starts they show the list of things they are going to cover on the game like it is a grand production or the 11 o'clock news, not a football game.  Only thing we were missing was a Lou Holtz pep talk.  Fans tune in to see the game with great footage and great (relevant) commentary.  Thats it.  

Ok, maybe one other thing...some sideline reporters as well.  The select company of Erin Andrews and maybe Michele Tafoya and only a couple other belong anywhere near the field.  There is no secret why this has become common place.  Beside the unmentioned feature that gives them these positions, if they cannot say anything of value, quit wasting our time.  (Everyone like funnel cakes, big deal, and why don't you try and cover both sideline as well, without multiple references to their facial expressions.)

It was pointed out in the game thread, but how can Brock Bolen come as a surprise to them?  I would feel safe to assume, that they were given the media guide and possibly other materials to review for the game.  Just check the depth chart, check last season's stats, and the injury report and one could easily foresee some touches for the big guy.  

Other readers have also expressed their  dislike of the tailgating and food (mentioned three separate times?).  We lay claim to being a large tailgating site, I know. But EVERYONE does it so why put it on TV.  Also, with the problems we have had this year in getting the plays in a timely manner, it is unexplainable how they miss the snap multiple times.

And the most frustrating part of the broadcast, was consistent and unabashed bias shown to the home team. As Mike pointed on the game prediction post, the 1994 meeting was a UofL victory, but their only hilight was a NCST interception?  And how many times did we hear "The 'Pack is Back!"  I counted three different occasions where Rod had fantastic coverage and was in position to make the play, but their only point of emphasis was the receiever.

As painful as our lack of precision on O at times was, these Turds of a television crew were more excruciating to take.  (This was worse than Mike Adamle-of American Gladiators fame-calling the USF debacle for ESPU in /05...and dare I say it, Mike, Dickie V and his broadcasts of innumerable off topic references.)  Most of us are in jobs that we don't truly enjoy to the fullest, yet these morons get paid to watch football and put out such a pathetic product.  

***I am not going to address the defense.  Everyone else hear, on the C-J, etc. has said anything I could say.  Let's hope for adjustments and improvements that prove this to be a one-time lapse.  They are talented.  Hope to see that soon.

First of all, yes the defense underperformed to a level I would never imagine in 2007, but as a fellow Cards fan, the BOOING WAS ATROCIOUS.  It would take a very long discussion to convince me otherwise.  An article within Frankpos's diary sums it up best, that maybe we are spoiled as a fan base with our recent success.  It is just terrible to hear hundreds and some times thousands of fans, not only booing, but yelling terrible things to the coaches and players on the field.  Believe me, I can be as big a critic as anyone else, but it surely does not motivate the players on the field when their own crowd is not behind them and how does that look to potential recruits and other TV viewers?  Yes the Defensive peformance was very disappointing, but the fan performance was even more disappointing.

Also, I didn't say it last week, but now seems like the time given the topic.  Why do we BOO when running plays are called against Murray in the 4th quarter when we had a 9 TD lead?  Anyone, ever heard of sportsmanship? And into this week, I don't understand the negative feedback about kneeling at the end and deciding to give Allen the ball many times.  He was averaging 8 yards a carry, keeping the clock running and minimizing turnover possibilities.  Clearly, to me at least, that was a smart move when your defense is vulnerable (putting it politely).  The spread will NEVER, EVER matter to matter to those running the game (unless we are talking about the NBA).  Since when was 10 scoring possessions in consecutive games and new records for your QB and RB unacceptable?

Other thoughts:
I wonder if Mr. Allen is still unhappy with his son's PT?  

Equally as a concern to me (and many other posters) were the penalties.  Two of 3rd down negated GOOD efforts by the defense.  And two inside the five yard line forced FGs rather than TDs.

In regards to the injuries, both teams had players go down.  And most of ours were offensive guys, and clearly through the stat sheet, I think it can be said that we were hitting them in the mouth on that side of the ball.  Even if we were hitting them harder, there is a lot of luck (lack of luck) involved in staying healthy (getting injured).

Loved seeing the efforts of TEs and Receivers after making catches.  Wish there would have been fewer drops, but dragging the defenders for the second week was awesome.  

Finally, at least we were not Michigan.  We won...not pretty...but we won.  Remembering all the criticism about defense vs WVU, BE conference, strength of schedule, and margin of victory vs UC and Syracuse from last year, none of that mattered because we kept winning.  UF almost lost to South Carolina, among others, AT HOME last year.  Michigan almost lost to Ball State AT HOME last year.  At the end of the year they (and UofL) were where they needed to be in the rankings to give them a shot at title hopes.  Losing is what matters most, and we just need to be glad the offense was spectacular enough to bail the team out.  Elvis Redbird said it right, at least the streak is alive. We live another day with our hopes still in tact.
(I'm NOT saying we can expect that every game, with the likes of UK, UC, USF, WVU, and Rutgers on the schedule.  Just trying to feed a little short-term optimism into the mix.  No reason to give up YET.)