It's a rivalry to us but it's really not a rivalry in the context of national significance.
Anymore the game doesn't do a whole lot for the program.
Recruiting...were not recruiting in Louisville, against Louisville anymore. We've progressed.
The more time and effort we spend in-state the less time and effort we're spending in Florida, Georgia, Texas...
It's about time to drop some Lake Erie area commuter schools as well as we're about tapped out in Ohio. Again, playing those schools doesn't do a whole lot for program in terms of competitive preparation for the SEC and we kind of need to move on in terms of recruiting as well. Our ties are pretty established in that state now, and we really aren't going to bust through the wall that gets us the Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame, Michigan, talent.
Recruiting is about expanding the brand. To get into new areas and make new ties you have to be seen and heard in those areas. Playing Miami, UCF, USF, Houston, SMU, Texas Tech will net more talent than playing small Ohio Valley/Great Lake region commuters.
Yeah, that may mean a home and home...so what...BBN showing up in Dade County may cause some youth or high school footballers in the stands to say "hmmm Miami isn't worth a lick anymore, ACC is weak...lot of blue and white in the stands...what is this UK football all about..."
Same goes for east Texas. The 3-star talent in that area is 4-star talent or better almost everywhere else but Florida. Plus the population boom that specific section of the state has seen thanks to the California exodus...new influx of talent...