KSR Today: Getting Over the Kentucky Blues
Hello friends. Good morning. Or is it good? That’s a question I’m asking myself days removed from the latest Kentucky football loss.
This loss is hitting different. I can feel it slumping me over in my chair as I try to find words to write on this blog. At one point Monday afternoon I cleaned the house to help me feel better. It worked, temporarily, but cleaning? Seriously? Cleaning is a chore. Chores shouldn’t be completed as a form of therapy, yet here I am, struggling to find any words to use about this Kentucky football program.
Unfortunately, the team can’t just play through it. They’re spending this week on the mend in the middle of a bye week. The loss will linger like a stale fart in an elevator until they snap out of it. Can they? Yes. Will they? I sure as hell hope so, or I may need to take a side job as a janitor to get through the Kentucky football blues.
Highlights from the Mark Stoops Show
1. Kentucky had a Players-Only Meeting. But Mark Stoops didn’t want to call it a players-only meeting. “Sometimes the narrative of a players-only meeting, some people make way too much of that.” He said he’s seen urgency from the players.
2. A Thank You to the Fans. He’s just disappointed his did not give fans a reason to stay loud in the second quarter. He believes the Cats are still “close” to clicking, particularly on offense.
3. Stoops can handle the criticism. He’s prepared to take all the darts thrown his way. Stoops actually enjoys chopping it up with his critics but admitted he’s got to “be boring” in his responses so they don’t turn into headlines.
4. Stoops has been here before. The Kentucky head coach wanted to remind fans that this isn’t his first rodeo. The Cats lost three straight the last time Liam Coen was in Lexington, and those were the only losses of the season. It certainly feels different from the outside looking in, but he’s confident in his team. “We’re going to grind it out.”
You can read more of his remarks here and here.
Potentially Cathartic KSR Football Podcast
It was difficult to blog through the pain on Monday, but talking through it was actually quite nice. Drew Franklin, Freddie Maggard and Adam Luckett joined me on the KSR Football Podcast to exhale from the Missouri loss. Freddie is typically pretty reserved in his commentary, but he was quite candid Monday night. He also needs you to send him tattoo ideas. You can listen on Apple Podcasts or watch the entire show unfold on YouTube.
More Sources Say (Maybe)
Most Kentucky fans respond to a football loss in October by saying, “Well, at least it’s almost basketball season.” Tonight, there could be a warm cup of Kentucky basketball waiting for you on Sources Say. The operative word is ‘could.’
Jack Pilgrim would love to talk about Big Blue Madness, Boogie Fland‘s upcoming decision and more preseason Kentucky basketball, however, he might have his hands tied. Mrs. Pilgrim is 40 weeks pregnant and baby could decide that today’s the day to pack up and move out. If baby stays content a little longer, you’ll get to see some more Kentucky basketball content tonight on YouTube.
Speaking of babies, on this day one year ago my son was born. Happy Birthday Frank! I’m sure you’re reading this right now. Sorry we took away the comment section. I guess you’ll just have to subscribe to KSR+ if you want to share your Devin Leary takes.
Did you see the Big Blue Madness recap?
No? Well what are you waiting for?!?! Get on it (then watch the Kentucky Dream hype video, which might be the greatest single video ever created in the history of the internet).
First Conversation with Zvonimir Ivisic
Kentucky fans got a chance to see Big Z at Big Blue Madness, but do you know how to say Zvonimir Ivisic? Let him tell you himself. John Calipari put on his reporter hat in a one-on-one conversation with the Cats’ new center to give fans a chance to get to know the new guy.
Charlie Baker is on Capitol Hill
The president of the NCAA is looking for a bill on Capitol Hill, one that involves NIL (now say it 5x fast: a NIL bill on Capitol Hill is a big deal). The tenth hearing on Name, Image and Likeness will finally include Charlie Baker. It would be a good time for him to clearly request specifics to include in federal legislation, but knowing how NCAA officials operate, I’m not optimistic. Here’s what questions Baker may face from legislators.
Ongoing MLB Championship Series
The Rangers buzzed through the Astros to take a 2-0 advantage in the ALCS. Meanwhile, the Phillies got things off on the right foot by holding onto a lead for a game one 5-3 win over the Diamondbacks. Arizona will get a shot at redemption right away. Game two of the NLCS is tonight at 8:07 pm EST on TBS.
Three College Football Games
Now that my house is clean, more college football is my final form of therapy. Fortunately, Conference-USA is giving us early MACtion this fall. Tonight there are THREE C-USA games on the slate, including what should be a high-scoring affair between the Hilltoppers from Western Kentucky and Rich Rod’s Jacksonville State Gamecocks. The Over 59.5 points button on the FanDuel Sportsbook app is probably getting pressed at some point today.
- 7:00: Middle Tennessee (+14.5) at Liberty, CBSSN
- 7:30: Western Kentucky (-7.5) at Jacksonville State, ESPNU
- 7:30: Southern Miss (+18) at South Alabama, ESPN2
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