Game Preview: Jean Shorts Edition

Florida's domination of us over the last couple of years cannot be argued.  This is what mostly fuels my hatred for the reptiles.  Couple that with the fact that UK would be on the outside looking in for the NCAAs with a loss, and we have a recipe for a must win game.  Despite the fact that Billy G and P Pat won't admit it, I think everyone knows this to be true.  Kick the Gators in the mouth today and the Cats are Co-leaders in the SEC East with the possibility of winning the conference.  The formula for success is pretty simple the rest of the way out:

• 40 + points from Meeks/Patterson every night
• Someone other than the "Big 2" must show the confidence to step up offensively
• Limit "drive and kick" jump shots
• Keep the other team off the offensive glass

I know this is obviously a biased opinion, but UK has not lost 3 straight home games EVER.  Billy G gets the boys fired out and we get a big contribution from an unexpected spot (Harrelson?).  Cats 75 Gators 67

An Update, Finally

Last time I updated the blog, I was preparing to run the Atlanta marathon.  I said that if I did not update in a couple of days, assume that I died.  Well I did not die.  I completed the marathon in a little over 5 hours and ate about 10,000 calories in mashed potatoes to make up for it.

That is not the point of today's post.  It is to say this: screw T-Will E5 and the rest of the filthy Cards.  It's time for Billy to reverse this terrible record we have against ranked opponents and bring the Ville to their knees.  Much like the football wins the last 2 years have decimated the Cards, A big win in Freedom Hall could cause the same damage for their basketball program.  The boys in Vegas have us 8 point dogs, but if Jodie can catch fire, this will be a spectacle to behold.

Race Day

So tomorrow is the big day. I'm not even sure that I have talked about it at all on the blog, but tomorrow I run the Weather Channel Atlanta Marathon. About 5 months of training for 4 and a half grueling hours. I struggled a bit with my 20 miler a couple of weeks back, and couple that with the fact I am just getting over strep throat it could get interesting. I have long since abandoned any visions of grandeur when it comes to a goal time. I am focused on finishing in one piece. I think burning 10,000 Calories justifies eating my weight in Mashed Potatoes right? Check back in to see how I did. If this blog isn't update for a couple of weeks, assume I didn't make it.

Game Day Preview

I had planned on giving you my breakdown of this year's UK basketball team after the first game, but barring last night's developments I feel like I should myself calm down a bit before trying to give an objective opinion. Let's just say that my man-crush status on BCG could possibly be wavering. However, we do have a big football game today and focus must be shifted.

Fun Fact: Vanderbilt is 0 for their last 19 attempts to become bowl eligible in the last 25 years. WOW! That includes a 0-3 record against the Cats. Part of that is the schedule tends to be front-loaded with easy out of conference games prior to the SEC schedule, but you figure the ball might bounce their way one time. Today is not their day.

So I have to make the preview quick because I must get back to work, but here's how it breaks down: when Vandy was winning they were turning over their opponents and not turning the ball over themselves. In the last 4 games they have committed 8 turnovers. With sloppy conditions, holding onto the ball should be at a premium. Also, Vanderbilt's offense is bad. REALLY bad. 115 out of 117 in D1 bad. So, if we don't give them great field position, I really like our chances.

Cats 24 Dores 10

WOW

Well, that was an ass-whooping of epic proportions.  Luckily enough, I was in person to witness it.  Never in the thousands of possible scenarios did I consider us forcing Tebow and the Gators into a 3 and out followed by 2 blocked  punts on our next 2 possessions.  I have had the pleasure of witnessing all 3 UK losses this year so I am beginning to feel like a curse.  Moving on from this, we will focus on the clash between the Cats and the Dogs.  

• We face a team in Mississippi State that is possibly more inept on the offensive end than we are.  I personally witnessed this ineptitude when they took a beatdown from the Yellow Jackets 38-7.  
• Once again, this one will be won and lost up front.  Jared Jefferies is returning at right tackle and it couldn't come at a more important time as he has to protect Cobb's blind side.  With Moncell Allen getting his first career start, the Cats will try to establish the power running game early and hope Cobb can use his playmaking ability to get the Cats out of some bad spots.  
• Can a true freshman lead the Cats to victory in his first career start on the road?  Will the defense get back to form after being embarassed in the Swamp?  Can the Cats become bowl eligible and return to the post season for the 3rd straight season for the first time since the 50's?  Win and Atlanta is still an option, lose and the season could go down the tubes.  All these questions will be answered in a short couple of hours.

A Confession

*Cue cheesy political ad music

My name is Derek Burden, and I approved this message. I would like to take this space to make a confession. I, Derek Burden registered superfan turned off the University of Kentucky football game last Saturday. I obviously kept the gamecast open and switched back to the game once it became clear we had a chance, but that is of no excuse. What is the world coming to when I am giving up on Kentucky? I declared vehemently on this blog that the football gods would not allow us to lose. Yet, I lost hope. This is my confession and hopefully I will be forgiven. Would I have gone home if I were at the game? I'm not sure, but I can guarantee you I will not allow this to happen again. That is my pledge. Thank you.

Do I Smell Bacon?

Let's just pretend like last week didn't happen. For the second week in a row, I get to see my beloved Cats lose live. Not so good. Because I am working today I will have to make this one short, but that makes it much more fun for lazy people (that's you Trissel if you still read this).

• Despite the fact that the Hog on the center of Bud Walton looks pretty cool, a pig is a stupid mascot. Let's be serious, the fat from your mascot is used to make gravy. Everyone loves gravy, but it is not too menacing.
• Arkansas has a QB named Dick. That does not bode well for your chances. D-Mac and Felix are not rollin through that door anytime soon.
• Under no circumstances will the football gods allow Kentucky to lose to Steve Spurrier and Bobby Petrino in consecutive weeks. That seriously cannot happen.

So those are the tidbits, but let me leave you with this: last time UK and the Hogs played in Commonwealth I endured a gut-wrenching 7-OT loss at the hands of Matt Jones and his floppy hair. For retribution, the football gods allow the ball to bounce our way every single time and we win by 7 TD's.

GO BIG BLUE!