1.  Kentucky has only seven more Kentuckians on its roster than Georgians… which makes tomorrow’s game special for a number of Wildcats.

2.  UK’s offensive line will face a big challenge against Georgia’s D-line tomorrow.

3.  To make matters worse, Randall Cobb will be a gametime decision due to a bruised shoulder.

4.  In basketball news, freshman DeMarcus Cousins racked up 27 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Cats past Sam Houston State 102-92.

5.  John Calipari said after the game, “This may be the worst defensive team I’ve had since 1988.”

6.  Coach Cal also said, “I was so made a couple of times my head almost popped off.”  And this… “I love my team, and we have a chance of being good.  But we also have a chance of being bad if we don’t start changing some things.”

7.  This writer believes UK needs more substance to go with their “wow” style.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Kentucky hasn’t won at Georgia since 1977, but the Dawgs won’t have AJ Green and the Cats are 6-7 in their last 13 SEC road games.

That’s yet another reason for fans to get off Rich Brooks’ back.

2.  Georgia hasn’t put up a lot of yards this year, but “Georgia’s still Georgia.”

3.  And Kentucky could possibly be without Randall Cobb.

4.  Linebacker Sam Maxwell has gone from backup to star.

5.  On the basketball front, it sounds like John Calipari is growing tired of his team’s play.  “Our execution stinks right now.  It stinks because everybody’s trying to get theirs.”

6.  Outside-shooter Darnell Dodson is in Calipari’s doghouse.

7.  Meanwhile, Darius Miller seems to be a good fit for UK’s new dribble-drive offense.

8.  At least one Sam Houston State player is looking forward to facing Kentucky tonight.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

* UK played the last 30 minutes at Vandy about as well as they could possibly play.

* UK is a little more beat up this week.  Randall Cobb did not finish practice today and is questionable for Saturday’s game with Georgia.  Micah Johnson did not practice, either, but he should be ready to practice tomorrow.

* Brooks caught the end of Georgia’s game with Auburn on television and was impressed.

* If Cobb gets healthy late in the week he will play. 

* Asked about Georgia’s defensive line, Brooks said they give you all sorts of problems.  “They get such a good push with those tackles” in the pass game and they stuff the run well, too.

* Morgan Newton will start at quarterback again for the Cats.

* This year’s “there’s more of a jumbled pack” in the SEC this year when it comes to bowl selections.

* Brooks said that its clear the depth is better at Kentucky considering all of the injuries UK has lost this season.  UK hasn’t fallen off due to injuries “as we would have in previous years.”

* If Cobb can’t go Saturday because of his shoulder injury, UK will have to find someone new to return kicks, return punts, hold on kicks, and run the WildCobb spread formation.  Cobb is also the Cats’ leading receiver.  “Other than that…” Brooks joked.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Joker Phillips’ receivers are a big reason UK’s running game has been successful.

2.  Kentucky will be trying to keep Georgia from clinching second place in the SEC East.

3.  In basketball news, this writer likes that John Calipari LIKED the fact that UK got a wake-up call from Miami (Ohio).

4.  There’s more to the Cats’ offense than just the dribble-drive.

5.  Miami (Ohio) lit up the Wildcats from three-point range.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

According to Ray Glier of The AJC, Rich Brooks is on the hot seat in Lexington.  Heck, even Brooks admits it:

“They put some ‘Ditch Rich’ bumper stickers on their cars.  They say I’m too old and I gotta go, that they need a better coach.  They’re howling.  We lost to #1 Florida, #3 Alabama and South Carolina, then Mississippi State.  Some of them want me out of here.”

Ah, but should they?

Traditionally, Kentucky is a program that nearly matches Vanderbilt in SEC futility.

Consider:

* UK has a 24-game losing streak to Tennessee

* The Cats have lost 23 in a row to Florida

* Georgia has beaten Kentucky 21 of the last 24 times they’ve played

* The Wildcats are 0-for-Spurrier all-time and have lost 10 in a row to South Carolina

* This year UK beat Auburn for the first time in 12 tries dating back to 1966

* Kentucky’s holds just a two-game advantage over Vandy in their head-to-head history (40-38-4).



Brooks has overcome that history.  UK is now bowl eligible for the fourth consecutive season.  The anti-Brooks faction doesn’t seem to care.  Those folks would most likely point to two “yeah, buts.”

Yeah, but it’s not as hard to reach a bowl game today as it was 20 years ago, which is true.

And…

Yeah, but Brooks has feasted on weak non-conference opponents, not SEC foes.  True again.

Looking at the bowl seasons of 2006, 2007, 2008 as well as the now bowl-eligible season of 2009, you’ll see that the list of Cat victories isn’t exactly stellar.

In those four seasons, UK has recorded wins over:

Texas State, Ole Miss, Central Michigan, Mississippi State (2), Georgia, Vanderbilt (3), Louisiana-Monroe (2), Clemson, Eastern Kentucky (2), Kent State, Louisville (3), Arkansas (2), Florida Atlantic, LSU, Florida State, Norfolk State, MTSU, Western Kentucky, East Carolina, Miami (Ohio), and Auburn.



I can see why some Kentucky fans are grumbling.  I can see it, but I don’t agree with it.   

Brooks has made UK football better.  No, he hasn’t turned the program into a contender in the SEC East, but he has improved the situation in Lexington considerably.

There was a time when Kentucky couldn’t sniff a bowl game… much less be invited to one every year for four years.

There was a time when UK couldn’t beat a Florida State or a Clemson even in a down year for those schools. 

There are few victories in the school’s history that rank alongside the Cats’ 2007 win over #1 LSU.

Brooks has also taken control of in-state rivalry with Louisville.

And on those rare occasions when Kentucky has had success in their history, NCAA investigators have often showed up quickly to shut down the party.  Brooks hasn’t landed the school on probation as Fran Curci and Hal Mumme did.



Brooks deserves to go out on his own terms.  And according to what one source very close to the UK football program tells me, that’s what’s likely to happen.

Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart understands what Brooks has accomplished and he won’t be pulling any plugs at the end of this season even if the Cats finish 6-6 with losses to Georgia and Tennessee. 

Also, while the talkshow and bumper sticker crowd is upset, the main UK boosters (who wouldn’t dare put bumper stickers on their Audis) aren’t complaining too loudly. 

So would Brooks walk away on his own if his team stumbles down the stretch? 

I’m told no.  In fact, in my source’s opinion, Brooks would be more likely to step aside if UK ends on a high note.

Joker Phillips is the Big Blue’s coach-in-waiting.  It is believed Brooks wants to hand him the reins after a good season, not after a disappointing one.

Therefore it’s likely that Brooks will be back on the Commonwealth Stadium sidelines next year at the age of 69. 

And any Kentucky fan with a sense of the school’s football history should be just fine with that.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Kentucky’s players are happy to be bowl eligible, but they now want to line-up a better bowl.  “We want to get out of Tennessee.”

2.  Reaching six wins for the fourth straight year, the Cats didn’t celebrate as much on Saturday as they have in previous seasons.

3.  In basketball news, John Wall’s last second jumper pulled out a 72-70 win for the Wildcats  over Miami (Ohio) last night.

4.  Wall showed brilliance (and a few faults) in his college debut.  (Also, John Calipari says he was “ecstatic” to see his team fall behind by 18.)

5.  DeMarcus Cousins says “John is legit.  Everything you hear is legit.”

6.  Meanwhile, Calipari wants Cousins to enjoy himself more on the court.

7.  Kentucky already got a first-place vote in the first AP Poll of the basketball season.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

John Calipari has been saying that the first concern for his team is to gain confidence in his new system.  The wins will come.

Last night it looked like Kentucky fans might have to take that message to heart.  The Wildcats trailed Miami (Ohio) by 18 points in the first half and were locked in a back-and-forth duel down the stretch.

The RedHawks tied the game at 70-70 with just six seconds to play on a deep, deep three-pointer… but that’s when freshman John Wall took over.

The player who is already expected to be the national player of the year and the first pick in next year’s NBA draft caught the inbounds pass, zipped up court and calmly nailed a pull-up jumper from 15 feet out as with 0.5 seconds left.

Cats win 72-20.  Rupp Arena goes nuts.  Wall announces his presence on the college basketball scene.



“John Wall catching it and going, I loved it,” Calipari said.

No doubt Kentucky fans loved it, too.  One game down and Wall has 19 points, five rebounds and a last-second game-winner.  Not a bad debut at all.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Quarterback Mike Hartline will have knee surgery and miss the rest of UK’s regular season.

2.  In basketball news, John Wall makes his official debut tonight against Miami of Ohio.

3.  That means Cat fans will finally see the freshman backcourt of their dreams.

4.  Darius Miller lacks confidence when shooting.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Sip the champagne. Puff on the cigars. Check for a hotel room at the Final Four.

Well, scratch that third one … for now.

The John Calipari era began in grand style Friday night as Kentucky’s talented youngsters thoroughly whipped a veteran Morehead State team 75-59. But it wasn’t that grand.

(more)

1.  Kentucky will have to be wary of Vandy’s super return man Warren Norman.

2.  Linebacker Sam Maxwell has turned into a playmaker on the Wildcat defense.

3.  Derrick Locke, Trevard Lindley and Randall Cobb are all expected to play tomorrow.

4.  Rich Brooks will decide on his starting quarterback at gametime.

5.  In basketball news, John Calipari said the goal tonight is for progress… not necessarily a win over Morehead State. 

6.  Tonight’s game will pit UK’s talent against Morehead State’s experience.

7.  There’s no way in Hell that Kentucky suffers a Billy-Gillispie-like loss tonight.  Is there?

8.  Eric Bledsoe’s sprained ankle shouldn’t keep him out of tonight’s game.

9.  Bledsoe will be at the controls tonight as John Wall sits out due to an NCAA suspension.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  In a show of improved depth, Kentucky’s reserves have helped the Cats to their current 5-4 record.

2.  Ridge Wilson is trying to bounce back from a fourth-degree assault charge that was brought against him back in September.

3.  In basketball news, UK’s opening opponent Morehead State was an NCAA team last year.

4.  ESPN’s Jay Bilas says defense — not the dribble-drive offense — will be the key for Kentucky this year.

5.  And ESPN’s Dick Vitale says Patrick Patterson needs to be “more assertive.”

6.  Patterson’s offseason conditioning work came under the tutelage of a man known as “Hell’s Trainer.”

7.  The December 5th matchup with North Carolina at Rupp Arena has sold out.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  It’s still “wait and see” with Mike Hartline’s knee.

2.  Regardless of who starts at quarterback Saturday, Joker Phillips says UK will be ready to bring in the backup if needed.

3.  The Cats will be up early for Saturday’s game at Vandy, but they’ll face a later than usual start time for their game with Georgia next week.

4.  In basketball news, UK might not have to face one of Morehead State’s key players in their opener on Friday.  Like it’s going to matter.

5.  The man who invented the dribble-drive offense says it’s all about attacking.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Notes from Rich Brooks’ teleconference:

* “We’re gonna be a little healthier than we’ve been in recent weeks.”  Derrick Locke and Randall Cobb will be ready to play against Vandy.  Quarterback Mike Hartline has also been taking meaningful snaps in practice this week, too.

* Brooks said he’s never had a year where he’s had to use four players to take snaps. 

* Brooks said Morgan Newton’s play bodes well for the future.  He also says that this year’s injury issues have shown how much more depth UK has now than they did a few years ago.

* Mike Hartline will regain his starting spot when he’s ready.  “Today’s practice was better than yesterday for him.”

* Brooks said that Dan Mullen’s offense is “quite different” than Florida’s offense.  One run game is built around the running backs, the other is built around the quarterback.

* Brooks recounted the story of how UK’s track coaches brought Locke to his attention.  The “speed and explosion” that he brings to the field make him one of the best multi-purpose backs in the league.

* Asked about two-sport athletes, Brooks said it’s important for young players to get a lot of reps.  He also said it’s tough when track wants a guy to drop weight and football wants him to add weight.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Rich Brooks is trying to tell folks that Vandy won’t be as easy as they might think.  (The Cats hold just a 39-38-4 edge all-time in the series… which is telling about the history of UK football.)

2.  Defensive tackle Corey Peters believes Vanderbilt can be dangerous because “they have really nothing to lose.”

3.  Mark Story of The Lexington Herald-Leader thinks Morgan Newton should get the start on Saturday… and Mike Hartline should only be used if needed.

4.  In basketball news, Patrick Patterson dreams of being an outside gunner.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  In Nashville, they’re writing that Kentucky could be much healthier on Saturday.  In Lexington, Rich Brooks says UK has the longest injury list it’s had all year.

2.  Quarterback Mike Hartline — who was expected to miss most of the rest of the season — might be ready to take some snaps on Saturday.

3.  True freshman Morgan Newton has been filling in nicely for Hartline.

4.  In basketball news, some Cat fans are wondering if DeAndre Liggins will get much playing time under John Calipari.  He didn’t get into either of UK’s two exhibition games.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

This wasn’t how Trevard Lindley’s senior season was supposed to go.

Lindley bypassed the NFL Draft, where he was projected to be a second-round pick, to return to Kentucky in 2009. He received pre-season accolades as an All-Southeastern Conference and All-America candidate.

(more)

1.  Kentucky’s defensive line wants to redeem itself for a shoddy performance against Mississippi State last weekend.  No offense, but I don’t think beating Eastern Kentucky will do the trick.

2.  An EKU receiver will have extra motivation going against the Cats.

That’s it for football…

3.  In basketball news, John Calipari is challenging his Wildcats to improve.

4.  “I got on Patrick (Patterson).  You took seven shots.  You kidding me?”

5.  Former walk-on Mark Krebs is drawing praise for driving to the basket aggressively.

6.  DeMarcus Cousins says Calipari is through playing games.  “Intense and focused.  It’s a whole new Cal.  He’s not the laid-back, chill Cal anymore.  You’ve got to get with the program.”

7.  John Wall will make his Kentucky debut in tonight’s exhibition against Clarion, but Eric Bledsoe may be out with a sprained ankle.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Morgan Newton’s first three games have yielded the up-and-down moments that one would expect of a true freshman quarterback.

2.  Cornerback Trevard Lindley will finally return from a high ankle sprain this week, but tailback Derrick Locke will be out.

3.  Receiver La’Rod King is catching the attention of the UK coaching staff.

4.  In basketball news, the Wildcats will face John Calipari’s tiny alma mater tomorrow night.

5.  A pair of ESPN analysts are interested to see how successful Patrick Patterson will be in Calipari’s new offense.

6.  Those same analysts believe regular season losses will strengthen UK in time for postseason play.

7.  The Kentucky-Louisville rivalry should only get hotter with Rick Pitino now having to go against John Calipari.

8.  Calipari says that in his offense, “you’ve got to be aggressive, confident and skilled.  We just had a lot of guys that were a little bit tentative (in their exhibition opener), which surprised me.”

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Notes from Rich Brooks’ teleconference:

* UK is “coming off a tough loss to Mississippi State.”  Derrick Locke hasn’t practiced this week and is doubtful for this weekend.  Seven guys were out with the flu yesterday — not the swine flu — but three were back today.

* Kentucky has never won 18 consecutive non-conference games before… and they can do that on Saturday against Eastern Kentucky.  UK has the second longest non-conference winning streak in the country behind LSU.

* Asked about MSU, Brooks said they are a more productive offensive team than they have been in recent years.  He was impressed by State’s offensive line play.

* Asked about Chris Todd and stopping Auburn’s offense, Brooks said his defense played “sounder” than it has all year.  Last week, against State, they gave up a lot of yards on some of the same plays that they stuffed against Auburn.  UK didn’t allow Todd to complete any deep balls.  The weather also helped defend the passing game on that night as well.

* That’s it.  Very few questions for Brooks.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Kentucky’s football team is the latest SEC team to have to deal with a flu outbreak.  Seven Wildcats were sent home from practice yesterday.

2.  “Injuries are one thing, but the sickness bug has really hit us good right now,” Rich Brooks said.  “That usually means there’s going to be a lot more to follow.”

3.  John Clay of The Lexington Herald-Leader believes UK fans need “a reality pill” when it comes to dealing with their football and basketball teams.

4.  Speaking of basketball, John Calipari’s new dribble-drive offense requires players to actually drive to the hoop… something they were reluctant to do in their exhibition opener.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Rich Brooks wants his team focused on Eastern Kentucky, but his assignment is to salvage the season.

Hope that’s all the football coverage you wanted from the Bluegrass State, ’cause it’s on to basketball…

2.  More than 21,000 fans showed up for UK’s 74-38 exhibition win over Campbellsville last night.

3.  This writer has some first-game observations from last night’s opener… including the fact that “Kentucky is looo-ooooooo-nnnng.”

4.  Another observation: the Cats’ offense was sloppy and showed some confusion.

5.  Freshman John Wall will be eligible to play against Clarion on Friday.  I didn’t realize hotel chains had basketball teams.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Rich Brooks is worried about his team’s “mental frame of mind and focus.”

2.  The loss to Mississippi State at home was a big one.

3.  Tailback Derrick Locke is questionable/doubtful for Saturday’s game against Eastern Kentucky due to torn scar tissue from a previous knee injury.

4.  In basketball news, John Calipari isn’t saying who chose the two games John Wall will have to sit out as part of an NCAA punishment.

5.  Calipari is taking the time to teach “everything” to his young team.

6.  The Cats open their season tonight with an exhibition against Campbellsville tonight… sans Wall.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Former Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie pleaded guilty today to driving under the influence of alcohol in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

Gillispie was given the maximum penalty for a first-time offense in Anderson County — a fine of a little more than $1,000, a 30-day suspension of his license and order to complete an Alcohol Drivers Education Program.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  Cornerback Randall Burden is finding his “LaGrange swagger.”

2.  Linebacker Micah Johnson will play against Mississippi State tomorrow, but he won’t start.

3.  State safety Jonathan Banks has become one of the SEC’s best freshmen.

4.  In basketball news, UK spent about $185,000 more on their Big Blue Madness celebration this year than they spent last year.

Also, though no reason has been given yet, Kentucky has canceled a planned open practice at Louisville’s Freedom Hall scheduled for Sunday.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

1.  If the Wildcats are going to improve, they’re going to have to start throwing the ball.  (Mike Hartline doesn’t seem so bad now, I bet.)

2.  To win on Saturday, UK will have to find a way to stop Mississippi State’s ground game.

3.  Scouts from the Chick-fil-A Bowl will be on hand Saturday.

4.  In basketball news, the Wildcats held a scrimmage last night in front of 14,000 fans.  Read that again.  Scrimmage = 14,000 fans.  According to John Clay of The Lexington Herald-Leader one thing was obvious from watching the intrasquad game — everyone on the UK team is athletic.

5.  Here are 10 more observations from the scrimmage.

6.  John Calipari says John Wall will have no trouble gaining his eligibility.

7.  Wall and Patrick Patterson were the top scorers in the last night’s scrimmage.

8.  Interestingly, on the same day that UK’s president said he didn’t want Wall to have face questions about his status in public, Kentucky’s media information department made him available to USA Today.

9.  Get used to this nickname — “The Great Wall of Kentucky.”

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts