Louisville Football: UK’s success makes losing season that much harder
By Nick Conner
How does Louisville football deal with the success of little brother, Kentucky? Brace Cardnation, it gets worse from here.
As if an imminent losing record for Louisville football isn’t enough, six weeks through the season our rival down the way, Kentucky, sits at an impressive 5-1 (3-1) with their only loss coming in OT at hostile Kyle Field.
The 14th ranked ‘Cats have wins over (current AP rankings) #11 Florida and #22 Mississippi State. ESPN’s FPI Projections have UK favored in four of their remaining six games, (including 84.4% confidence in a UK win at UofL) with their only sure-fire loss at home against #2 Georgia on Nov. 3. Let’s face it Cardnation, the ‘Cats are good, and the Cards well…it’s almost basketball season, right?
What effect does Kentucky’s success have on the outlook of Louisville’s horrid season? Simply, put the success of the Cats adds gasoline to the dumpster fire that is the Bobby Petrino coached Louisville Football program at this point in the season.
The Cards seemingly haven’t improved in any phase of the game and the boys from Lexington look like a legit contender in the SEC East. Realistically UK will finish with at least nine wins and be knocking on the door of a solid bowl invitation.
Does Mark Stoops have it figured out in Lexington? He seems to. Kentucky has run the ball effectively and slowed down opposing offenses at will. UK is led by gritty RB, Benny Snell Jr. who is averaging 115+ yards a game and is a good for at least a trip to the end zone each Saturday. The defense has consistently come to play this year only allowing 20 points once (against Central Michigan), including holding Florida and Mississippi St. both under 16 (16 & 7, respectively). The shopping aisles are packed at Kroger Field.
It’s time to own up to it Cards fans. They’re better…this year. It won’t happen again anytime soon so let’s all agree to pretend like we’re not cautiously wondering if the ‘Cats–who control their own destiny in the SEC East–might face Alabama in Atlanta.
I’m surely not. We’ll be fine.
Next. Bobby Petrino’s buyout raises serious questions. dark
They’ll go back to losing again soon (Snell will likely declare for the Draft), and Bobby (or maybe even Brohm) will get the Cards rolling once again. At least we can all agree that both our head coaches’ have crazy buyouts. Kentucky, we’ll see you two days after Thanksgiving in Cardinal Stadium, here’s hoping we get the chance to spoil your fancy bowl bid.