Published: August 24, 2008 11:34 pm            

MARK MAYNARD: It all starts with UofL

Just how important is the Kentucky-Louisville game on Sunday?

Well, consider that since the teams began playing annually in 1994, the Wildcats have had exactly four winning seasons. Three of those included victories over Louisville.

Last year’s exciting 40-34 victory over the Cardinals seemed to catapult the Cats to what turned out to be a second consecutive Music City Bowl appearance, setting the stage for what could be an historic season.

While Kentucky doesn’t look near as strong, winning seven games is not beyond the realm of possibility. However, a loss against Louisville in the season opener and the chances of winning seven becomes a bit slimmer. Not impossible, but not as likely.

That’s what makes Sunday’s game so big. Both teams need it. Both teams want it. Louisville is a lot like Kentucky, a team with bowl aspirations but hardly good enough to make a ripple in the national picture.

There are some games on Kentucky’s schedule that simply look, well, unwinnable. Like games at Florida and at Tennessee. Or even the game with Georgia at Commonwealth. The Bulldogs are arguably the best team in the country. Yes, I know Kentucky defeated No. 1 LSU last season at home, but don’t look for history to repeat itself. At least not this soon.

Probably, this game is bigger for Card coach Steve Kragthorpe than Cat coach Rich Brooks. Kragthorpe is under fire to right the Louisville ship after last season’s slip.

Meanwhile, Brooks is in good stead with Kentucky’s fans. This year he has a chance to do something no UK coach since Bear Bryant has done by going to a bowl game for a third consecutive season.

A victory over Louisville would set the table for Kentucky starting the season 4-0 before the grueling SEC schedule starts taking its toll. Norfolk State, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky are games that have to be considered must-wins on the schedule.

Other than maybe games with Vanderbilt or possibly South Carolina, the Cats probably won’t be favored again the rest of the way. Welcome to the SEC.

So, as you can see, the Governor’s Cup game battle between Kentucky and Louisville will be more than just another game. Of course, it always has been.

It’s been a series that Louisville has actually dominated, winning nine of 14 meetings. Last year’s win by Kentucky snapped a four-game losing streak. Besides the obvious of wanting to beat the rival and win the opener, the game carries some recruiting significance, at least for the prime in-state players who are trying to decide between Louisville and Kentucky.

The calendar may not have flipped to September, but it’s already a big one for these programs.

It should be well worth watching.

MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.