Biggest Game, Ever?

Just like the LSU win in Commonwealth a few years ago, a win over Tennessee tonight could be one of those defining moments in the rebuilding of Kentucky football under Rich Brooks. This win would not only break the 24 game losing streak, but would give the Cats a 2nd place finish in the SEC East and almost guarantee an Outback Bowl appearance on New Years Day. For those reasons, it would be an even more overall significant win than the one against #1 LSU two years ago.

Year, after year, after year, after year...when you ask Kentucky fans, "What is the one team on the schedule that you want to beat more than anyone else in the world?" The answer is always Tennessee. I've even heard some fans say they'd trade away a Final Four in basketball to beat Tennessee in football.

To put it simple: tonight could be the best night in the history of UK football. Even though the Vols are not ranked and have won one less game than the Cats have so far, the goalposts will be brought down if the Cats win tonight. To outsiders, this might seem ridiculous. But for a Kentucky fan who has never witnessed a win over Tennessee in my lifetime, I understand the significance of ending the streak and finishing off the best season Kentucky has had in 30 years. This win will propell the Cats very close to the top of that SEC mountain that we've been climbing for so long and we're not finished yet (just ask a certain sophomore qb/wr/punt returner). Commonwealth will be rocking tonight, possibly like it never has before.

Where will the Cats go bowling?

Possible Opponents in Atlanta

Clemson

Virginia Tech

Boston College

Georgia Tech

Possible Opponents in Tampa

Wisconsin
Penn State
Iowa
Michigan State

With the huge win over Georgia last night, the Cats have finally positioned themselves in the upper echelon of the mighty SEC East. With three straight SEC road wins: @Auburn, Vanderbilt, and Georgia, they've finally taken that next step. They will not be playing a bowl game in the state of Tennessee this year. For the first time since Tim Couch led the Cats to the 1999 Outback Bowl on New Years Day, the Cats will be playing in a very significant warm-weather New Years (Eve or day) bowl game and can finish in 2nd place in the SEC East, 2nd only to the Florida Gators, with a win over Tennessee at Commonwealth on Saturday night. So far this has been a year of ending huge losing streaks to Auburn and on the road against Georgia. Ending the nation's longest losing streak against Tennessee and earning a ticket to Tampa to face Penn State, Iowa, or Wisconsin on New Years Day, would be icing on the cake for this roller coaster season that has seen highs, lows, injuries, and plenty of surprises along the way.

After beating Miami (OH) in the opener at Paul Brown Stadium, the Cats struggled in a win over Louisville before losing three straight games in a row in SEC play, two of them against the top two teams in the nation. They never gave up on the season, however, just like they never gave up down by 14 points towards the end of the 3rd quarter last night between the hedges against the Bulldogs. With a 2-3 record, their starting quarterback hurt and possibly out for the season, and just experiencing a devastating two point loss at South Carolina, it looked like it could be a long season for the Cats. Instead, the Cats shocked the Auburn Tigers the very next week. Two weeks later, the Cats experienced another very disappointing loss to Mississippi State. At this point, it looked like the Cats were headed to yet another Liberty or Music City Bowl. It even looked like that until about the 4th quarter of last night's game.

Then, one forced Bulldog turnover after another, an entire season and possibly an entire football program took a giant step forward with a comeback win at Georgia. A win that positioned the Cats to make it to a New Years Bowl Game, something that Andre Woodson couldn't even accomplish as a junior or senior. This time, a true freshman quarterback and all-around best player Randall Cobb, only a Sophomore, are taking the Cats to levels they've never been before. Saturday's battle with Tennessee will be possibly the biggest November home football game in the history of Commonwealth Stadium. The stakes are high, "the streak" could end, and unlike the similar 2007 matchup, there's a lot of positive momentum going into this game. It's going to be one of the best atmosphere's ever in Commonwealth, and I can't wait to be a part of it!

Win or lose, however, I believe the Cats are a lock to at least play in Atlanta on New Years Eve in the Chick-fil-a (formerly the Peach) Bowl for a number of reasons. Even if we lose to Tennessee, the overall records of UK, UT, and UGA will be identical, with UT having a one game edge in conference play, assuming that Georgia losses to Georgia Tech. This could propel the Vols ahead of the Cats in the bowl pecking order with the Vols in Tampa and the Cats in Atlanta, but as long as Georgia losses, the Cats will have one of the top two bowl spots in the SEC East (with Florida obviously playing in a BCS game).

The only scenario that could possibly take the Cats to another Music City Bowl would be a Georgia win over Georgia Tech combined with a UK loss to Tennessee. Then, the Peach Bowl would possibly prefer the in-state Bulldogs after a big win against their rival to end the season. But I believe that EVEN IF that happens, the Peach Bowl would have a hard time justifying the choice of the Bulldogs over the Cats after the Cats just beat the Dawgs on the road.

Plus, they can make more money off the Cats with more fans spending money on hotel rooms than if the in-state Bulldogs were in town. Big Blue Nation has broken attendance records in nearly every bowl appearance in the program's history. These bigger, non-BCS bowl games are a much bigger deal to us than they are for other SEC schools like UT and UGA, which is why we are a better choice for higher attendance and revenue. No matter what happens, I really like our chances to play in Atlanta. And if we beat UT, I think we're a lock to play in Tampa on January 1st.

It's been a great day for both the football and basketball teams today. But could you imagine bigger back-to-back days than an Outback Bowl appearance on January 1st followed by a certain basketball game scheduled for January 2nd at Rupp? Has there ever been a more exciting time to be a Big Blue fan? I don't think so.

Kentucky vs. Eastern Kentucky

Eastern Kentucky is celebrating 100 years of football this season. The first 100 years has surprisingly only featured two matchups all-time against their neighbors 20 miles up the road in Lexington. Unfortunately for EKU, those 2 matchups were against Tim Couch in 1998 and Andre Woodson in 2007 and the Cats combined to win both games for a score of 102-17.

The Colonels (5-3, 3-2 OVC) are trying to make it a 31st consecutive winning season, one of the longest streaks in the nation at any level. Their goal is to also win the school's 21st OVC Championship and third straight trip to the NCAA FCS Playoffs. They've won two FCS National Championships under legendary coach Roy Kidd in 1979 and 1982. Before the FCS Playoffs were established, the Colonels made appearances in the Rice Bowl and the Tangerine Bowl (winning the Rice Bowl). Danny Hope succeeded Roy Kidd at Eastern and now is the head coach at Purdue, with a win over Ohio State already on his resume. Former Wake Forest Defensive Coordinator, Dean Hood, is now the head boss in Richmond.

In the glory days of EKU football under Kidd, the Colonels were probably the best team in the state in many of those years. In 1982, when Kentucky was 0-10-1 and Eastern was 13-0 and the FCS National Champions, it likely would have been a very embarrassing loss for the Cats that year. They never faced the Cats in that era, but the Colonels did put a 45-21 thumping on Louisville in 1985 and you could say it's questionable as to what the result would be this year if the Colonels had another shot at UofL.

They opened up this season in Bloomington against Big Ten foe Indiana, and scared the Hoosiers to death as they escaped with a 19-13 win against EKU. Down 19-10 at halftime, the Colonels outplayed the Hoosiers in the 2nd half. They only allowed one IU first down in all of the 3rd quarter. Late in the 4th quarter, the Colonels had the ball inside the 5 yard line about to score and take the lead, before fumbling on 2nd and goal.

Although the Colonels are rich in history and tradition, this year's matchup faces a Kentucky program that is building some tradition of their own as they look to win their 4th straight bowl game this season. Three weeks ago, the Cats had a huge win on the road at Auburn. They followed it up with an easy win over Louisiana Monroe before losing a close battle at home with Mississippi State, a game the Cats feel they let slip away. Now, the Cats are angry at themselves and wanting to get back on track, which is not good news for EKU. Their goal is to win out and finish 8-4 and play in a warm temperature bowl game for the first time since 1998 when Tim Couch led the Cats to the Outback Bowl against Penn State. They know that all their dreams and aspirations of playing on New Years Day will not be possible with a loss on Saturday. Coach Brooks has talked this week about taking it one game at a time the rest of the way. There is no margin of error, and with Georgia and Tennessee still on the schedule, losing to EKU would be a disaster.

For EKU, on the other hand, the game is all about pride. Eastern's roster includes 29 players from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, many of whom probably were snubbed by UK in the recruiting process. EKU's goal remains the same: win an OVC Championship. The UK game has absolutely no impact on the Colonels' goal of winning the OVC and getting a third straight automatic birth to the FCS Playoffs, however, it would absolutely make their season if they pulled off the upset in Commonwealth.

In the end, I see UK winning this game fairly easily but closer than the last two times the schools have met. UK needs this game more than EKU does as far as their post-season aspirations are concerned. Despite battling injuries and the flu bug this week, the Cats should have the proper focus after losing last week to avoid it getting too close as they will comfortably extend the 2nd longest non-conference winning streak in the nation. They know they need this game, and they'll take care of business as they make it to a fourth straight bowl win. Eastern will appreciate the experience, learn from it, move on, and hopefully win a third straight OVC Championship. That would be a win-win situation for an EKU Alum and lifelong Cats fan.