KSR Today: Welcome to the Bye Week
Our good friend Jared Lorenzen used to hate mid-October because it represented the Big Blue Nation’s shift from football to basketball. I think even Jared would agree the football team needs a breather after Saturday’s slugfest in Georgia.
As you know by now, the Cats fell to the No. 1 Dawgs 30-13. Personally, I am at peace with the result. Having the national spotlight on the program for the week was fun, but Georgia is simply on another level, and for the most part, the Cats kept it respectable. The number of missed opportunities — the fumble Jacquez Jones didn’t jump on, the dropped passes, the penalties — are frustrating; however, Kentucky was able to move the ball and score on the nation’s best defense, which few teams have done. I winced at each hit Will Levis and the rest of the Cats took. They deserve every bit of physical therapy and time in the tub this week.
Meanwhile, the basketball team was in the odd position of having Big Blue Madness, the unofficial tipoff to the season, play second fiddle to football on Friday. I don’t think anyone is complaining about that — especially Jared — but while football rests, it’s only fair to give this new bunch of Wildcats their due.
After a year of limited capacity arenas, it was cool to see the basketball team finally get to embrace the Big Blue Nation Friday night. Rupp Arena was not full at the start of the festivities, but the crowd slowly swelled. Big Blue Madness is in need of a shakeup, yet it was still great to see the players come out and soak up the love from the Big Blue Nation and vice versa.
The focus will mostly remain on basketball this week. Wednesday is Media Day, and KSR is sending a fleet of writers and photographers to cover it. The Blue-White Game is Friday. We’ll also be rolling out what we’re looking forward to most this season as the week goes on. Contrary to popular belief two successful sports teams can coexist.
Here’s what you can look forward to today, along with some things you may have missed if you were unplugged yesterday.
Kentucky is still a Top 15 team
The new polls dropped yesterday and Kentucky is No. 14 in the Coaches Poll, No. 15 in the AP Poll. Georgia, Cincinnati, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Ohio State are the new top five of the AP Poll. After losing to Purdue, Iowa dropped nine spots to No. 11. Ole Miss is No. 12 following the win over the Tennessee trash throwers.
No Mark Stoops presser, but we’ll hear from him tonight
It being a bye week, Stoops will not hold his annual Monday press conference; however, he will still do his radio show tonight on 630 WLAP. Tune in at 6 p.m. ET to hear what Stoops says about his team coming off the loss to Georgia and heading into the long break to prepare for Mississippi State.
We’ll find out the Mississippi State game time
Trying to make plans for Halloween weekend? Around lunchtime, we’ll find out what time the Cats will play the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Starkville on October 30. No. 1 Georgia vs. Florida already has the CBS slot at 3:30 p.m. Other games that day: No. 12 Ole Miss vs. No. 19 Auburn and Missouri at Vanderbilt. This feels like a 4 p.m. SEC Network special to me.
LSU is looking for a football coach
We knew Ed Orgeron’s job security was in question. Turns out the loss to Kentucky was the final straw. Yesterday, Ross Dellenger broke the news that this season will be Orgeron’s last in Baton Rouge. The decision went public yesterday on the heels of LSU’s surprising win over Florida but was actually made last week following the 42-21 loss in Lexington. While the LSU brass looks for a new coach (stay away from Stoops!), Orgeron will finish the season and take home a $16.95 million buyout.
From national championship to fired in less than two years. Life comes at you fast in the SEC.
Titans vs. Bills in Monday Night Football
Drew Franklin usually gets things rolling for you on Monday mornings, but today, he’s in my fair city of Nashville to cheer the Titans on in Monday Night Football. Bud Dupree, Avery Williamson, and the Titans take on the Buffalo Bills at 8:15 PM ET on ESPN. If you can’t be in Nashville, KSBar is a great alternative.
I bet Keion Brooks will be watching in his retro Warren Moon Oilers jersey:
The KSR Pre-Show begins RIGHT NOW!
Have you been dying for more KSR in your life? The KSR Pre-Show, starring Shannon the Dude and Billy Rutledge, premieres this morning at 9 a.m. ET on 630 WLAP. Sit back, relax, and let the frenemies lead you into the main event at 10 a.m.
Discuss This Article
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard