09-10 Kentucky Basketball: “This is OUR Time”

The 09-10 season officially kicks off tomorrow with the long awaited BBM. I’ll be in attendance, so that’s why I’m posting this video today, instead of tomorrow. I hope it doesn’t disappoint.

A special thanks to BKH over on Catspause for contributing the base idea for this video. I hope you all enjoy it.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbrx7GdNZ1U

Friends, countrymen, cat fans, lend me your ear

There’s been some discussion in other threads about beating top teams and season predictions. In some of these things, i’ve made it clear that i am disappointed with results. i also want to explain my look on things and what it is i am really disappointed about.

When this season started, we each and all looked down the roster and made predictions, sight unseen with no idea what Georgia was going to have or no idea if Alabama would recover an offense.

Let me emphasize the point. You went into this season and already had pre created excuses for losing to teams. Most of them based on information you could only assume.

I came into this season believing something that i was happy about. I was crowing it. i was happy to say we could win 8 games. why? Because i knew that the tired old excuses shouldn’t apply. i knew we had the talent. to beat every team? no. Yo beat any team? Yes.

We’re five games into this season, and I stand here to tell you that we’re not some vastly inferior team to Alabama. We have a better team, with better talent than South Carolina. We have a team that was not intimidated in the slightest by playing at USC. Did you notice that?

Our offensive line has handled these great national powerhouse defenses and given up…5 sacks. Despite the immensity you preemptively prescribed to our opponent’s defense…5 sacks in….5…games. But, you knew that when you looked at that schedule back in august and inked in losses didn’t you?

We ran for over 200 yards versus South Carolina. But, you knew that back in august didn’t you?

You’ve watched the same games i have. You’ve seen the teams. You’ve seen Alabama and South Carolina win games, Not because they shredded our defense, not because they blew up all our plays in the backfield, not because they could out run us, not because their players were stronger, not because their line dominated our line, not because their qb could beat our corners none of that. They won because we let them win. A few covered assignment ons kickoffs and we win one, and make the other a 1 score game.

This may be too subtle for some to grasp. We are better than South Carolina…. did you hear that? We are better than South Carolina . Try it out. We are better than South Carolina. Try it again, we are better than South Carolina. Again we are better than South Carolina. Again, we are better than South Carolina,. AGAIN We are better than South Carolina. AGAIN WE ARE BETTER THAN SOUTH CAROLINA. IN EVERY WAY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL WE ARE BETTER THAN SOUTH CAROLINA.

We were better coming into the game. We were better during the game. we were better after the game. We are better RIGHT NOW IN PRACTICE!! Say it again, because it’s true. WE ARE BETTER THAN SOUTH CAROLINA. We are better than the team everyone picked to finish behind Florida. We are better!

Don’t waste time wailing about our two corners. That’s a lie. You can sit here and come up with that and then say that if Hartline isn’t hurt, we win. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE IF THOSE CORNERS WERE SO CRITICAL? BECAUSE WE ARE BETTER THAN THEM!!

Yet I almost guarantee that when you looked at this game, you just knew we were gonna lose because they were better than us.

And that’s what disappoints me the most. Not that we lost. But that you lost this game in your heart without ever being willing to realize that we really, actually, have the better team. You had excuses before the season began about why we would lose this game, and damn near none of them could have been true. Then we lose our corners before hand and our starting QB during the game, and that just conveniently fit your need for an excuse for the loss, without you ever bothering to realize that we are the better team. Our lines are better. Our QB was better. Our linebackers were better and it TOOK those corners being out and that QB getting injured for their healthy, at home team to miracle away a win by two points against us. We out sacked them. We out blocked them. We out ran them. WE ARE BETTER THAN THEM.

That’s the disappointment. UK fans just and coaches.. accepted these losses before hand with excuses that you were practicing before the game started, and you never took the time to realize you had no right or reason to do so. We ARE the better team.

Now put away your excuses for this Auburn game. Don’t be ashamed to recognize that you have a good team and you can expect to win this game. I’ve seen Aubuurn play and I’ve seen who they played. They are not better than we are. i know it. i believe it. YOU need to know it. YOU need to know. More importantly, you really need to believe it. UK over Auburn. 31 -24.

This weeks SEC Rankings

Now the the SEC is in full glory several things are becoming clear. The SEC east if weak this year. Out side of Alabama and Florida the SEC isn’t as strong as national writers think. The yelling of “wheres the beef” is showing that LSU doesn’t have a offense, Auburn and Mississippi don’t have much of a defense, Georgia doesn’t have a offense or defense and South Carolina is plain over rated.

1. Alabama: The Tide did what they were supposed to do if they wanted to keep their top ranking in our SEC Rankings with a easy 22-3 win at Mississippi. Next up a thumping of the old balls coach.

2. Florida: The Gators went to LSU not knowing if Tebow would play or not. He played but looked tentative at times and the defense bailed him out with another stellar performance in the 13-3 win.

3. LSU: A good defensive performance kept the game close while little old ladies in the stands were seen yelling “wheres the beef” about LSU’s offense.

4. South Carolina: They escaped with a win over Kentucky but don’t expect that to happen next weekend against Alabama.

5. Auburn: Little old ladies were seen in the stands during this game yelling “wheres the beef” about Auburns defense while Arkansas dismantled them. The yelling of “wheres the beef” seemed to be a common occurrence this past weekend but hopefully wont become a national trend.

6. Ole Miss: They have been over rated the whole season so with UAB coming to town they better produce or Tennessee will soon be rated above them.

7. Arkansas: Auburn found out that Arkansas can finally play defense this year. Next up Florida where Ryan Mallett and the defense will have to have the game of their lives to keep from drowning in the swamp.

8. Tennessee: The Vols looked like a beast in their dismanteling of Georgia. They get this weekend off to prepare for Alabama.

9. Georgia: How embarrassing can it get for the Bulldogs. Monte Kiffin’s defense looked great but Georgia’s defense stunk. Grown men who made the trip to watch the Bulldogs were seen chanting “wheres the beef” about both sides of Georgia’s game.

10. Kentucky: The Cat’s just plain should have won this game. This weekend they get Auburn with a break from playing good defenses. With Hartline out for at least four weeks and corners Lindley out and Warford doubtful the Cats are going to step it up a bit.

11. Mississippi State: They gave Houston a game but came up short. This weekend they get a Middle Tennessee team that could surprise them.

12. Vanderbilt: How bad can their offense get? Stay tuned as even discerning Vandy fan have stooped to yelling “wheres the beef”.

BBR Top 25 Week 6

1   Alabama Has played more ranked teams and won
2   Florida still undefeated and have the easier schedule from here on out.
3   Texas  still have some questionable games to play
4   Va. Tech  still only 1 loss to Alabama on opening night.  Playing great now.
5   Boise St.  could still create a wrinkle in the BCS
6   Cincinnati  still undefeated
7   USC   could cause a lot of noise in the next few weeks.
8   LSU  only 1 loss to the Gators.
9   Ohio St.   Could win out in the Big-10
10   Oregon  makes you wonder about Bosie St,  because that is their only loss
11   Miami Fl.   could easily play for the ACC Championship
12   Iowa  still have folks wondering about them
13   TCU
14   Kansas
15   Penn ST
16   BYU
17   Oklahoma St.
18   Oklahoma,   finally got their starting QB back  since the first game.
19   Nebraska  won big in the 4th Qtr last Thursday Night
20   South  Carolina,  only a play away from being undefeated.
21   South Florida
22   Geo Tech
23   Auburn
24   Pittsburgh
25   Houston

After 6 weeks I am just wondering what the next 6 weeks will bring

Hartline Hurt Spurrier Slithers Again

Damn again the old balls coach slithers out of a loss. I had this nice graphic made for the Cats victory but old balls managed to put his hand over his mouth so he didn’t have to bite it. Once again the football gods have delivered him from having to choke on Wildcat football.

Now to talk about the game. Hartline may not be the best quarterback in the SEC but he did what a leader is supposed to do he played a good first half and when injured he got up and tried to hop off the field like a true leader.

How do I talk about the game. We came in without 2 defensive backs lost a 3rd and got burned by a 6’3″ freshman for 3 tds. We had 155 yds passing 139 of which were from Hartline on 9/14 and a 9.9 average before he got injured. We ran for 205 yds. with 89 yds. by both Locke and Cobb.

Once again though mistakes hurt us. Two dropped passes on sure touchdowns killed us. A penalty on a 50 yd play and on two fourth down tries sealed our fate. The fake field goal hurt but it was a gamble that if successful gets high fives from fans and moves us closer to a touchdown.

Can someone tell me why Cobb wasn’t at qb on the two point conversion with Locke at rb and Connor at fb?

At least the loss gave me a chance to do another graphic and lead in to the story with a nice couple of lines about how Spurrier bites.

BBR’s Weekly SEC Rankings

BBR’s Weekly SEC Rankings

1. Alabama: After a win that wasn’t as good as the score over UK the Alabama travels to Ole Miss where I expect a true blow out to occur.

2. Florida: The Tebow saga continues. After being off last weekend they travel to play speedy LSU.

3. LSU: Held on to beat Georgia. Next up Florida. LSU can win this game if they can generate points.

4. Auburn: Won a tough game against Tennessee. This week on the road against Arkansas who easily handled Texas AM away.

5. Georgia: Lost a close one to LSU. This week they could be walking into another loss at Tennessee if Crompton can put a whole game together the Tennessee defense will win the game.

6. South Carolina: In last weeks win against SC St. they gave up 14  points. This could bode well for Kentucky this week.

7. Ole Miss: Beating Vandy doesn’t count for much. Beating Alabama this weekend will count for a lot.

8. Arkansas: Demolishing Texas A&M might have given Arkansas a boost going into this weekends game with Auburn. This should be a shootout where the last team with the ball wins.

9. Tennessee: Lost to Auburn and with Georgia coming in this weekend as Crompton turns so Tennessee turns.

10. Mississippi State: They put up 31 points in a loss to Georgia Tech this past weekend. With Houston up next 31 wont be enough for a win.

11. Kentucky: After the loss to Alabama this weekends game at SC comes down to mistakes. Don’t make mistakes and the Cats are in the game.

12. Vanderbilt: At Army this weekend after a loss to Ole Miss. at home last weekend. A no offense no win situation for Vandy.

A Season On The Brink From Inside The Huddle Part 6

KY VS RICE–STOLL FIELD –1955 KY 20–RICE 16

Rice played much better than expected. Their offense was dynamite, they moved the ball up and down the field against our defense which had played very well except the Miss. St game.

The Rice qb threw the ball well on the move or kept the ball and ran with it and gained a lot of yardage. In fact the rice coach said this was their best game to date and Rice had played LSU to a 20-20 tie earlier. Their receivers and ends were very good even with their all american end on the sidelines due to injury.

Our offense played very well. We mixed up the run with the pass, we ran the pitch or toss into the short side of the field and rice couldn’t handle it.

All in all Ky. played pretty good with no major injury’s.

1955 story.
Rice brought their a game on offense. Their quarterback was very good. He sprinted out and threw on the run, kept and ran or pitched to his hb. The rice qb was not flashy but very efficient and took good care of the ball.

Rice’s receivers were very good down around the 12 yd marker with quick outs and an occasional hook blended in with a crossing pattern now and then. Rice moved the ball on us very well.

Ky’s offense was very good. Our game plan was to run the ball about 60% and pass 40% which our qb had just about on the number.

We got great running out of our backs Ivan Curnutte, Don Netoski, Billy Mitchell, Dick Moloney, Bobby Walker and Bob Dougherty.

Rice was a good football team, much better than their record showed. Rice had tied LSU 20-20 earlier in the season.

Upcoming game Ky vs Vanderbilt in Nashville.

Vandy is a dangerous team, they have lost 2 games to date. At Georgia 14-13 and to Ole Miss 13-0. They have been hard to score on this season. They have a couple of great running backs. 1 back King plays both half back and full back. A big hard running back with great bursts of speed and power. We will have to stay on him and not let him get rolling.

Vandy has a very good qb that runs the offense under control, doesn’t do anything crazy, has very few fumbles and doesn’t throw very many interceptions. Hes very good faker with the ball. is a drop back passer but not much of a runner.

Vandy’s defense is very good, Good tackles and ends, 3 better than average linebackers. Their defensive secondary is very good on the run, can be beat on quick out passes and an occasional crossing pattern. The defense mixes up their signals a lot and will rush a linebacker here and there.

This will be a tough game for Ky.

Playing at the Globe Theater is Tough

So how did the Cats play yesterday. According to cbssports.com Alabama was angry despite the blowout of Kentucky. Lets get one thing straight cbs this was far from a blowout. Instead it was more of a Shakespearian comedy of errors over a five minute span.

Kentucky had more first downs than Alabama. Mike Hartline passed for more yards than McElroy. Derrick Locke ran for more yards 75 against the vaunted Alabama defense than any team had so far this year as the Cats ran for 133 yards.

When I read this I had to laugh. “We’ll take the win [but] we’re not really satisfied with it,” McClain said. “We knew we could have played a lot better. We just played a real good team. They gave us their best punch. We took it and we countered it.” Alabama didn’t beat the Cats with a good punch they beat us because we stepped jaw first in front of a weak punch. Three interceptions, one fumble and numerous personal fouls will give you a weak jaw unable to stand up to a weak punch.

Week 5 top 25

Here is my view of the top 25 after 5 weeks.

1. Alabama The only top ranked team to have beaten a top team
2. Florida National Champ from last year and still undefeated
3. Texas Still undefeated since TT last season
4. LSU folks trashing this team but they have won SEC road games
5. Boise St. Could put a wrinkle in the BCS system
6. Cincinnati still undefeated and won one big road game.
7. USC Beats Ohio St on the road and then lose at Washington
8. Ohio St. probably too high but best Big-10 team as of now
9. TCU
10. Va. Tech still only 1 loss to Alabama and beat Miami Fl and Neb
11. Oklahoma St
12. Miami Fl beat Geo Tech, and Oklahoma (backup QB)
13. Iowa beat Penn St, at PSU
14. Kansas another undefeated Big-12 team. as of yet
15. Penn St.
16. Ole Miss we will find out more after next Sat they host Bama
17. Oregon, A much different team since Boise St.
18. Nebraska Lost one road game at V.T.
19. Oklahoma Probably the best 2 loss team in the country
20. BYU
21. Georgia has 2 losses and both were in the top 5 at the time
22. Missouri another Big 12 with questions
23. Michigan more questions than answers
24. Georgia Tech
25. California has 2 losses and not shown up for either game.

Several changes will come as we get into heated conference games.

Coach Cal the Camper

You probably are not much of a UK fan if you don’t have some idea about all the people that have camped waiting for the Big Blue Madness tickets.  1000s of people have been camping, some since last Wednesday.  The players and coaches have interacted with the fans just as they have in the last few years, but this team has taken it to a whole new level and that includes the coach Cal.  The players have hung, thrown footballs, played corn hole and abused news crews, all in good fun.  Coach Cal has organized food handouts and signing sessions with the fans.  But Coach Cal took it to a whole new level Friday night.  Coach Cal did what any great UK father would do.  He grabbed up his son, a tent and two sleeping bags and joined in the fun.  Yes, Coach Cal camped with the fans.  There is nothing he could have done, and that includes winning a National Championship, that I would think was more cool.  I mean, this is seriously cool.  This is cool to a level of cool Fonzie could never even hope to obtain.  In other words, or not, this was way cool.

I can only hope you get some sort of idea how cool I thought that was. If not, then I probably need to work on my writing skills, which I never really worked on much to begin with.  I’ll be honest in saying I have some reservations about Coach Cal.  There are few to none I wouldn’t.  I am not the type to throw the title of Saviour on a guy that hasn’t even coached one second of basketball for UK yet.  I also get a little defensive internally when I see others who do.  It’s a sure fire recipe for fan explosion if things do not go to their plan.  But right now, I have something tangible I can grab on to with Coach Cal.  I have a camp out.  It might not even seem like much to some, but to have a coach who is so all in that he would do this is amazing to me.  And even larger is the fact that this was a father son deal.

Way Cool, Coach Cal the camper, way cool.

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