The Big Blue Daily Mail -- Rivalry Week Begins

Here we go, folks, the first day of Rivalry Week, which culminates with the Governor's Cup game in Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday.  There will be lots and lots of links, commentary and stories on the big game over the next few days, and I know you are all looking forward to the game, as I am.

Make no mistake, rivalry games are never as easy as they look.  I'll never forget the 2005 game where Louisville had a terrific team and UK almost managed an upset.  That's just the kind of thing that can happen in this game, and at this point in time, I don't think UK is as good as Louisville was in 2005 (9-3 overall, 5-2 in the Big East), nor Louisville as bad as Kentucky was (3-8 overall, 2-6 in the SEC).

More on the big game in the news links below:

Top Stories

• Brooks knows how big Louisville game is | Vaught's Views
  The game is huge. Buzz or no, it is huge. Kentucky could earn a modicum of respect by defeating the Cardinals, or lose a ton of it by falling to them.

• Dortch on perception of Calipari | Vaught's Views
  I totally agree with both these fine gentlemen. Calipari is an outstanding coach and recruiter, and these other issues were not his fault. That's the way it is, in my opinion, and I'm glad to find that I have respected company.

• ESPN2 to air Florida at Kentucky | courier-journal.com

UK Basketball News

• Kentucky staff commits secondary violation, and oh well - The Dagger - NCAAB - Yahoo! Sports
  That's one way to look at it.

• Poole moving closer to decision > Palmetto Sports Recruiting News
• UK Basketball History: The Next Chapter - UK Wildcats Blog

• Mid-Major Marauding with Gary Parrish - Main - The Blackburn Review
  GP [Gary Parrish]: If that was going to happen, wouldn't it have happened by now? You show me a senior-laden team, and I'll show you a team that's not very talented, a team that'll get run off the court by John Calipari's freshmen. The Butlers and Sienas and George Masons can have good records, upset some people and maybe -- once every 20 years -- get to a Final Four. But it's rare. And I can't imagine one of them ever winning a national title again. Sadly, that's the truth. I don't like it. But that's the truth.
  
  Heh.

• NetsDaily Blog " Archive " The Not-So-Good Old Days of John Calipari
  A sort-of review of Bounce Back by a New Jersey Nets blogger. I'm sure these insights were pretty interesting to Nets fans who remember his stint there. Lots of excerpts for those of you wanting to get a feel for the book.

• Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting - Kendrick sheds a little light
  He would be a nice get for the 'Cats.

UK Football News

• Wildcats Receiving Votes - KENTUCKY OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
  Yeah, a few. I don't think we have earned many yet.

• Cats Look for Third Straight Win in Governor's Cup Battle - KENTUCKY OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

• UK wary of overconfidence | KentuckySports.com
  Overconfidence? Kentucky? In football? Talk about your non-sequiturs ...

• UK's Lumpkin understands U of L's pain | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal
  Once upon a time, Lumpkin was recruited into a UK program that was struggling to beat its in-state rival. Now that the Wildcats have taken two in a row, Lumpkin feels U of L's pain. "I understand how they feel, especially their freshmen," said Lumpkin, who added that he often coincidentally wears an opponent's colors during game week. "They're hearing how they used to beat us like that, and now it's the opposite way around. There's no telling what they're going to do. They could come in here blazing and trying to get the win."

• Tom Heiser - Cards Fan | The Courier-Journal
  Chris Diggs and Tom Heiser do a blogswap.

• Chris Diggs - UK Fan | The Courier-Journal
  The other side of the Diggs-Heiser blogswap.

• " A 5-spot from the UK football luncheon John Clay’s Sidelines

• Alan Cutler " Brooks Scared
  After watching the kickoffs against Miami, I'm scared as well.

Other UK Sports News

• None today
  

NCAA Sports News

• SEC Football Early Lines for Week Three

• SLAM ONLINE | " College Preseason Top 25: No. 1, Kansas
  I think this is a spot-on preview. Kansas will be great this year.

• SEC power rankings - SEC - ESPN
  Chris Low has the SEC's Power Rankings here. Tennessee at #11. Tee hee. :-)

• Deconstructing: The grisly demise of 'Tressel Ball' - Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo! Sports
  This is another reason why I like Rich Rodriguez -- he can actually coach football, unlike Jim Tressel, apparently. This whole "spread option" thing is obviously foreign to the OSU coach, as well as basic football strategy, at least last Saturday.

Other News of Interest

• A football loss all too familiar to UK | KentuckySports.com
  The Bluegrass Miracle redux in Cincinnati. I feel for the Bengals.

• Jurors hear coach's statement to police in trial over player's death - USATODAY.com

• Kentucky Sports Radio " Blog Archive " Wesley Woodyard says, "Child Please" and Stevie will "Get Loose" tonight
  Great news about UK players in the pros!

The Daily Schadenfreude

• Kragthorpe, Cardinals need a rivalry reversal - Big East - ESPN
  Kragthorpe has had a hard time endearing himself to Cardinals fans, and a large part of that stems from his failure to beat Kentucky in his first two years. His predecessor, Bobby Petrino, never lost to the Wildcats and often beat them soundly. But Kentucky now has the upper hand in the state, having won three straight bowl games while Louisville has stayed home the past two postseasons, and the Wildcats have gained a strong foothold on recruiting in the commonwealth.
  
  Breathe deep the gathering schadenfreude ...