BBR top 25 Wk 13

Well we have almost completed another regular season,  only a few games left that are not,  Conference Championships.  Which will make for a great coming weekend.

 1   Alabama   next Sat we will for sure know if #1 is Bama or Fla

 2   Florida   I am looking forward to this next game

 3   Texas   I wonder just how the Big-12 Championship game will turn out

 4   TCU  12-0 for the first time in history

 5   Cincinnati  wonder if this coach is headed to ND

 6   Boise St   another undefeated season for the team with the blue tuff

 7   Oregon   could this be the best of the Pac-10

 8   Ohio St.   Big-10 Champs again,  but who is in the Big-10

 9   Iowa   Big-10 Co-Champs  WOW

10   Penn.  St  3 teams from the Big 10 that don’t play anyone else

11   Va. Tech   I think they could beat all 3 of the Big 10 teams ahead of them

12   LSU   would probably be undefeated if in the Big-10 or Pac-10

13   Ore St   could this be the best or second best in the Pac-10

14   Miami Fl   look out ACC this team is slowly rebuilding

15   Georgia Tech   Champs of ACC Div  and lost to SEC East 3rd place team

16   Pittsburg   not a lot to comment on

17   Oklahoma St  are not even Champs of their own St.

18   BYU  

19   USC  most disappointed team out West I would figure.

20   Clemson   the other ACC Champ that lost to the SEC East 5th place team. WOW

21   Houston   I wonder when they will score 100

22   Cal

23   Nebraska  Big 12 North Champs  now looking at Texas next Saturday Goodbye

24   Stanford   Big win over ND along with several other teams this year

25   W. Va.

I have been looking at these rankings this season, and really have figured out that they don’t mean much.  The Big 10 has 3 team highly ranked and neither of them have won a game against a high ranked team other than the Big 10.  The Pac-10  has several teams in the top 25,  but how would they do against a middle of the pac SEC team??

These rankings are usually on wins and losses  and if you are playing in a weak conference and play weaker out of conference then how good are you?   Look at Ohio State  a few years ago  # 1 in the nation undefeated and lost to Florida who had been beaten by another SEC Team.  The next year Ohio St # 1 and lost to LSU I think a team with 3 losses in the SEC.

We are never going to have a True #1 team until we allow them to play it out on the field.  Would TCU, Boise St, or Cinn,  be undefeated if they played in the SEC or the Big 12?  Or if each of them played one Big 12 school and 1 SEC school out of their conference would they be undefeated???  But yet these teams are ranked ahead of LSU, Ole Miss,  Tn.,  Ark., 

I would love to see some of these games,  I don’t think the BCS is working at all

The Hard Fall

The higher you go, the harder you fall.  Its been a long time since UK fans have had to experience the long fall, and never from football.  But here we were yesterday, watching the possibility of all things new.  UK could beat UT and move into the upper levels of the SEC all in one game.  Then it came down to all in one set of overtime series.  All UK had to do was score and they probably only needed three points if the D could hold for three downs, possibly four.  UK did neither and fell right back into the hole they have taken decades to dig.  Maybe the long fall in football will help prepare us for the long falls we may have coming up in basketball?  It’s not much of a silver lining, but at least its something I guess.

There are plenty of reasons UK fell down in the UT game.  The D could not stop the run once again, but they’ve had trouble with big strong backs all year so this wasn’t a big surprise.  UK did find a way to put enough points on the board, but I had that, “doomed” feeling when I felt UK needed to produce on demand in OT.  The reason was at quarterback.  Newton hasn’t performed all year, never seemed to grow at all, and especially not to a level that you would expect from a future savior.  The bottom line with me comes down to what I consider to be the huge mistake at passing over Fidler.  First, UK simply GAVE the kid a job he did not earn, and the players never seemed to play as hard for him.  He never seemed to have their respect and was lost in most games and was totally lost in the entire UT game.  All the while, Fidler read defenses much better, and let’s face it, reading anything at all was light years better than Newton.  Fidler’s passes were more on time and on target, his decisions were that of a fourth year guy, the team played for him and he ran just as well as Newton.  Of course if your end goal was to run Fidler off, I say mission accomplished as he was honored on senior day following his announcement that he wasn’t coming back next year. 

Most people think UK error by not going to the Wildcat more in the UT game, which is completely an error in judgment if you ask me.  The Wildcat is a wrinkle set designed to give the other team something else to prepare for.  What those calling for more Wildcat fail to understand is all UT had to prepare for was the Wildcat and they bottled up every single option once they had a chance to see their guys defending it one time.  There is a reason Cobb had twice as many fumbles in the UT game as all the others combined (and his other fumble was actually a backward pass he dropped).  UT almost forced two other Cobb fumbles but he was able to pull it back in long enough to go down.

I love all the UK players, but when it comes to Newton, I just don’t know if he’s going to be a fit.  He’s the reactional type QB in a pro style offense that requires a thinker as much as a drop back passer.  Trading a number two position in the SEC for getting him some reps was a horrid mistake in my mind, especially considering he’s of the same mold as Pulley.  People might point to this year, where Pulley did finally have passing numbers in a lower division, but let’s also consider it took him five years to finally get numbers in one.  UK simply can’t waste two more years of dismal QB play to get one OK year and blowing this year on Newton was the worst coaching move of the year.

Steve Kragthorpe fired as Louisville football coach

Its a sad day here in Catland. We Kentucky fans feel that Coach Kragthorpe was fowlly treated by Tom Juric and the administration.

I mean Tom how can a man be expected to win games when the fans only fill a third of the newly enlarged stadium for a game. And Tom I mean come on now every one knows that a little sister is supposed to loose to a big brother.

Why fire Coach Krag he was a leader by example, the kind of a guy who would never embarrass the school by having late eytalian dinners. No all he ever did was lose so which is worse Tom.

He couldn’t help it that the offense was so bad that it was only out stunk by the defense Tom. Some years are just that way.

We here in Catland which if you haven’t noticed Tom includes Louisville are really concerned that you have made a mistake. No longer will we get to watch our little sister try to date a bowl team or try out for the ACC. Instead we will have to watch little sister trying to get another coach come in and help put makeup on her fading football program. Tom, Charlie Weiss might soon be available and he does wonders for a girls image.

Coach Kraq you will be sadly missed by us here in Catland. Thanks for the happy memories.

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Second Place in the East

A post from ukn96 on the forums that deserves to be read by more than the forum users.

The battle for 2nd is coming on Saturday. Layla is bringing Lane, a reinstated (and “cleared”) freshman starting safety and the rest of the Tennessee Chain Gang to Commonwealth.

Are they visiting to see how a clean program should be built? Is Lane going to learn how to make sure his players weren’t arrested right before he proudly proclaims they have had no arrests that month? Is he going to learn from PawPaw what respect is?

His trash talking is what Vol fans want. The recent comment about there being no reason why the streak should not extend to 25 in a row was a clear indicator he is a warden the fans will love. As long as he wins. He may have a hidden talent too. How to convince the victim that the player should be able to play. After all…shop lifting is only a crime when there is enough evidence to convict. And possession of a $120.00 shirt you didn’t pay for is obviously not a crime in Volville.

So here they come to Commonwealth. A stadium with more ghosts than traditions. They are coming on senior day to extend the streak, and claim 2nd place in the East.

This is not David and Goliath as it was in years past. UK has proven they can end streaks, and make the plays when they matter. They have also proven they can brain fart at the wrong time. But this is not the same UK that played SC and MSU. Not the same teams that was embarrassed by FL, and happy to hang in there against Bama.

This team is led by Randall Cobb. A kid who was overlooked by the Pumpkins when he was playing in the shadows of Knoxville Prison. Rumor is that he didn’t have enough felonies to qualify for an athletic scholarship.

Like Cobb, this team no longer quits. They no longer make THE turnover to cost them the game. They get THE first down so they can line up in V formation. They have ended two streaks, and are going for #3.

Dinged and bruised they have played 10 straight weeks. This will be #11. A fans dream, a coaches nightmare. Either way, they are 7-4. Those of us on the bus believed they would be here, just not the way we arrived. Who would have thought we would win at Auburn and at GA?

The Felons are 0 fer in the SEC on the road. Hard to travel with that little bracelet on your leg, isn’t it? The Cats are 0 fer against the SEC at home. Yet another streak will have to end.

Commonwealth is ready. Extra locks and police. New safes for wallets and jewelry. Accommodations for the parole officers, and plenty of photographers for the arrival of Layla. Rumor has it that the shops at Fayette Mall and Lex Green are trying to prevent shoplifting by not allowing anyone wearing orange in their store.

Commonwealth will accept cash only from Vol fans. The Secret Service is looking for “funny money”, and will keep an eye on the players in and out of the tunnel. Al Gore’s “carbon credits” are not real currency either.

They Cats are ready. They will be bruised and playing hurt. But aren’t they all this time of year? I feel we will see a conservative offense early in the game, with Brooks trusting the D to keep them in check while Joker figures out Monte. Then we open it up.

Will Under Armor protect against a shank? THAT is the question I need answered.

After we end the 3rd streak of the season and secure 2nd place in the east, I will have 1 question for Lane.

Who’s your Daddy?

TRUE BLUE THANKSGIVING

Happy Thanksgiving Catland:

In honor of our festive holiday…. I’ve put together a lil Top 10 of things that we can all be Grateful for this season… So Raise your cup high & toast the CaliCat Era!

10.   Cheers to Bill, the founder of our feast.  Bill, I know I speak for all of us when I say …. “I can’t thank you enough for caring enough to take the time to set up this community giving us a place to Laugh, Cry, Fight, Argue, Agree & tell tall tales &  share the Spirit of KY BB Family.”   It’s a tireless, thankless job for the most part & many here couldn’t begin to imagine all the time & effort it takes in keeping Catland alive, thriving & growing.   Kudos & Kisses to you CatDaddy, you’re my Hero.  NOW…. please do us all a favor & keep your glass on the table instead of between your legs…. Frostbite on Thanksgivin is definitely a sight I think we can all live w/o.  Course now when New Years rolls around— you may very well find yourself in good company & ifn your lucky an offer of assistance in removal of said glass from… well—-CHEERS!                       

9.  NO MORE WE GOT WHOOPED speeches.  God, isn’t it just top it all to have a REAL COACH again?!  The more I watch our Cats grow & see Cal~ workin his magic the more I fall in love.  We’re gettin our swagger, pride & identity back.  Faster than anyCat could have imagined at that.  Recruits will once again want to take their place at our table.  TIS GOOD TO BE A CAT!  We deserve this & have waited too many years for that bird to finally come outta the oven.

8.  Old Feline Friends & the coming of the New~  Part of the mystique of  KENTUCKY BASKETBALL is the coming together of the young & old, rich & poor, foul & proper, the knowledgable & dumb….around the world making us a breed of our own— 1 BIG BLUE NATION!  Through it all, we have a common bond that is unrivaled by anthing in sports & most cultures in life….. FAMILY, IDENTITY, FRIENDSHIP.  WE RULE! (:

7. Demarcus Cousins—- We’ve waited & waited for his arrival.  Oh sure, we didn’t know his identity but the idea of him has certainly been there!… He’s not just bringin inside presence to the table— he’s bringin it w/a vengeance!  The last several years we’ve had some decent big men but they were lackin that FIRE in the belly/Take No Prisoners attitude electing not to let their size do the talking.

6.  Lit’s You Pick Em’s—- Love em & love the challenges, boasts & brags that accompany them.  Word to Jeffro Nolte— it’s on this year “Sweetheart”!  Get your game face on & Bring it!   Oh & Bama— I’ve seen your picks for week 1…you’re slackin Sunshine—thought you were better than that SNICKER SNICKER.   HO HUM …. who to copy & paste off of??? Well I wonder??! (:

5.  A big CAT applause for Cat8 & his killer video’s.   Whadda way to enhance our board not to mention the ability to visually capture just exactly what is KENTUCKY BASKETBALL.  A treasure to say the least.

4.  JAGOFF! That’s right— you read right!  Fellow Felines, Coach Cal~ has just kicked the Border War w/those tennessee turds up 10 knotches!   I love all his lil suttle jabs…. More Boast & Swagger added to the SEC pot w/a dash of Witness 54 delivered to their door.   WE’RE BACK! TIME TO STRUT LIKE A CAT & MORE IMPORTANTLY ROAR LIKE A CAT! ALL THAT’S LEFT IS THE POUNCE & KILL! (:

3.  THE GREAT WALL OF KENTUCKY THAT PLAYS W/ALL THE PRIDE & HEART IN THE WORLD.  Love him while we can— By March, he’s gonna be one of our greatest Floor Generals!  Perhaps in his retirement, he’ll come back to his Old Kentucky Home. (:

2.  RUPP ARENA IS ROCKIN AGAIN & we shall soon witness RUPP in her finest hour.  Cats, that’s just not expectations, hopes & dreams —- NO, it’s better than that—- IT’S A UNITED NATION W/1 BIG BLUE VOICE!  Oh how sweet the sound!   Sigh~  relish & a reminder to never take for granted what we hold so near & dear to our hearts.  RUPP IS ALIVE AND COME JANUARY TEAMS WILL COME IN FILLED W/LOATHING, DESPERATION & FEAR—-  Have ya’ll forgotten what the sweet stench of fear smells like??? GET READY we’re gonna get plenty of big whiffs! YAY!

Which brings me to #1—-

HOW FITTING IS IT THAT ON JANUARY 2ND— A GRAND CORONATION WILL BE HELD IN OUR BELOVED RUPP & AS THE BAND PLAYS ON ON UOFK  THE TRAITOROUS KING OF OLD WILL HUMBLY BE FORCED TO WALK IN THE SHADOWS OF THE BIG BLUE NATION & THEIR NEW KING!

NOW THAT’S KENTUCKY JUSTICE MY FELINE FAMILY & MAKES FOR ONE DAMN FINE MEAL!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you w/much love & affection.  You Cats rock 1 & all.

CHEERS TO US & THE LONG JOURNEY WE’VE TAKEN TOGETHER.  MAY OUR NEW ADVENTURES BE PROSPEROUS & MAY 8 BE JUST AROUND THE BEND.

LUVTHOSECATS & LUVUGUYS!

Ms.Cats~

Expectations vs Facts

You know I think I’ve complained about everything when it comes to football this year except for the players. They have been the one positive this year win or loose. Sure I could have complained about their outing against Florida but they didn’t quit and have shown it ever since.

I complained about the offensive play calling but frankly they brought the offense along slowly but surely. Joker even called a pass on first down twice in the second half at Georgia and I can look forward to seeing a more diversified offense against Tennessee.

I complained about the defensive play calling and Im gonna imagine that if I was named Cox I’d be complaining about his offensive protection after the defense harassed him in the second half into committing several turnovers.

I complained about special teams play but they held a good kick return game in check and created turnovers that we were able to capitalize on. Thats something we haven’t done especially well in the past.

I still have several complaints that I’m gonna express because I’m afraid if I don’t I might Jinx the cats.
1. We need to use a few more blitzes.
2. We need to pass to the TE a little more.
3. The middle of the field needs to be used more in the passing game.

Some place along the road I seemed to have gotten my expectations confused with the facts.

1. We are starting a freshman quarterback and the coaches have brought him along nicely.
2. Our defensive line had one returning lineman and we have been forced to depend on our linebackers more than we would have if Jarmon had been here.
3. We had no experienced receivers. Now we do and next year the rest of the SEC is going to disrespect them to their undoing.

If we were as bad as my complaints we couldn’t have come back come back against Georgia turnovers or not. I promise to try not to complain again this year

It was suggested in the forums that Uga VII died because he didn’t want to face the embarrassment of losing to Kentucky at home. And whats with the arrest of 1 more Georgia football players thats 31 in the past four years. Florida only has 24 arrests and Tennessee 25.

BBR Top 25 Week 12

BigBlueRules latest weekly top 25. There is no change at the top with Alabama still leading Florida due to having played a tougher schedule than the Gators.

RK	TEAM	RECORD
1	ALABAMA	11-0
2	FLORIDA	11-0
3	TEXAS	11-0
4	TCU	11-0
5	CINCINNATI	10-0
6	BOISE ST	11-0
7	GEORGIA TECH	10-1
8	OREGON	9-2
9	PITTSBURG	9-1
10	OHIO ST	10-2
11	IOWA	10-2
12	OKLAHOMA ST	9-2
13	PENN ST	10-2
14	VIRGINIA TECH	8-3
15	LSU	8-3
16	OREGON ST	8-3
17	MIAMI FL	8-3
18	CLEMSON	8-3
19	BYU	9-2
20	USC	7-3
21	UTAH	9-2
22	CALIFORNIA	8-3
23	HOUSTON	9-2
24	NORTH CAROLINA	8-3
25	MISSISSIPPI	8-3

Win or lose the next two, UK is now a winner

Let’s be honest about something. Something that’s been gnawing at the back of our mind for the last three years. “Was it real?” And, the answer to that question is, “yes”. UK is a winning program. The last three seasons were not flukes. The last three seasons were not just accidents of achievement.

Yes, yes. Each of us has our opinion of the staff and some of the calls that we’ve seen. We have questions about what we did or didn’t do to win. But, it hasn’t escaped me, and I hope it hasn’t escaped you, that this program, and we the fans, have quietly, gently, moved away from the “doomed loser” mindset we had for so many, many years, and into the mindset that we are competitors, capable of winning, with reason to invest hope in winning.

We are not, of course, Florida, or Alabama. We know that. But, it’s not as simple as what we are that’s important, it’s what UK is not. UK and it’s fans, are no longer the homecoming queens. We are no longer schedule fluff. And I want to tip my hat to all the coaches, and all the players here, and gone on, who have worked so hard to get us here from there.

If you recall, only a few years ago, UK was looked at in the similar fashion that we regard EKU, ULM, and the teams that UK is better than. A scrimmage you plan to win. We are no longer that team for all our opponents, with only IU and UL not expecting to win against us. We no longer are the team with that level of talent. We are a team that made Alabama work to win on their home field. We are the team that can now beat Auburn, beat Miss. St., beat Ole Miss. We are a team that is winning bowl games against other winning teams. We still have to work to do it, and we can lose to those teams, just as well. But, there can be no question that this UK program has achieved what we hoped to achieve. We are established winners.

UK has won the respect of the media in this process, as well. We no longer are a team that they immediately dismiss as being a possible ranked team. Now, we know that, if we have a good season, they don’t find it unthinkable to put a top 25 number beside our name. They may not do it as quickly as they would FSU, but they are certainly more willing to do it than they ever would have considered 6 years ago.

Win lose or draw on these last two games, this season has finally made it happen. We can believe. We can now look for upcoming players that will guide us into rankings, as opposed to hoping to develop players to achieve respectability. We are a winning team, in the best conference in football, with tons more media exposure than we had ever imagined we’d get.

It’s happened, guys, and hats off to Rich for it. We are winners. It’s not an accident. And, I’m so happy to say I got to live to see it.

BBR’s Weekly SEC Rankings

1. Alabama: Alabama’s win over Mississippi St was impressive enough to have them ranked at the top of the SEC. They have a sure win with Chattanooga coming to town this weekend then its off to Auburn for the final regular season game.

2. Florida: Former coach Spurriers South Carolina team was no problem. Next up Florida International where they might develop a passing game although there is no guaranteeing that.

3. LSU: After a tough win over Louisiana Tech the Tigers travel to Ole Miss for a thumping unless they can develope a better offense than they showed last weekend.

4. Ole Miss: A smoking win over Tennessee showed they weren’t ready to settle for a mediocre bowl. A win over LSU will show that the early season rankings weren’t to far off.

5. Tennessee: I wont talk about the thumping or the arrests. Tennessee had better pay attention to a desperate Vanderbilt team this weekend.

6. Georgia: Georgia needs this game to insure second in the east. Kentucky comes in with a good chance to win with receiver A.J. Green out with a shoulder injury.

7. Arkansas: After a easy game against Troy the hogs get Mississippi St at home. They should win this one but be prepared to be run all over.

8. Auburn: They lost a game to Georiga last weekend but the good news is they have this weekend off to get ready for Alabama.

9. South Carolina: If Florida had an average SEC defense they might have been able to win last weekend. They are off this weekend to prepare for a Clemson team that should spank them.

10. Kentucky: Bowl eligible thanks to shutting down Vandy in the second half last Saturday. The Cats travel to Georgia this weekend with a fair chance to leave a winner even if Randall Cobb doesn’t play.

11. Mississippi State: Alabama had little problems holding State to 3 points. They need to beat both hifh scoring Arkansas and Ole Miss if they’re going to become bowl eligible in Dan Mullen’s first season in Starkville.

12. Vanderbilt: They took a 13-10 lead into halftime last week against Kentucky, but were shut out in the second half. They have in state rival Tennessee to contend with this weekend.

It doesnt Glow Orange in Tennessee

After news of three players being arrested last week on attempted armed robbery charges, its emerging that Tennessee has another player in trouble with the law.

Freshman defensive back Nyshier Oliver was cited for theft after shoplifting at a Knoxville mall on Nov. 7. Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin emphasized Wednesday morning that defensive back Nyshier Oliver was not arrested in his first public comments since news broke. Apparently cited and arrested are two different ways of going to court. Way to split hairs Kiffin, you do it as well as phat Phil did over academic fraud.

Four days after Oliver’s run-in with the law, Lane Kiffin went on the SEC coaches teleconference and outright fudged when he praised his team for not having any arrests in 11 months.

I mean what is it about Tennessee that causes such behavior. Their former coach was afraid to go to Alabama because he might be served papers. There present coach fudges when talking to the fans. They were involved in massive academic fraud that by the way wasn’t investigated by the SEC till almost two years had elapsed. Probably as a present to phat Phil for his ecstatic cooperation over the Alabama recruiting scandal. During a four-year period Tennessee has tallied 21 arrests, make that 25 now with 10 of those being felonies. Still behind Georgia’s 30+ but who’s counting when its Tennessee.

And don’t get me started on how the Tennessee cheerleaders improve the face of the Tennessee football program.

I’ve been to Tennessee its a beautiful state. It sent a scoundrel like Andrew Jackson to the White House and a handful of volunteers to the Alamo. Its also the home of the country music recording industry and a first rate university named Vanderbilt.

On one visit I stood on a railing looking down into the water at the beautiful green glow of a atomic reaction at Oak Ridge and realized that if God really loved Tennessee football he would have made the glow Orange.

Keep up the good work Tennessee. Louisville and Rick Pitino thank you for keeping them out of the spotlight.

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