Kentucky Wildcats: Sunday Brunch - Crimson Tide Down Edition

Big doings in college football yesterday, as the Alabama Crimson Tide lose to the Texas A&M Aggies in Tuscaloosa. Johnny Manziel for Heisman, I say. Also, Vanderbilt has become bowl eligible again.

Later today, we'll have some overdue analysis of the Maryland game, and what we can learn, if anything, from that narrow escape. Also a coaching search update.

Tweet of the Morning:

The real Bobby P can't tweet & control his bike. RT "@matt_wickstrom: Got a follow from Bobby Petrino. Too bad its fake account @fakebobbyp"

— Bobby Petrino (@FakeBobbyP) November 11, 2012

Too funny.

Your Brunch:

Kentucky football quiche

• Kentucky football's 2013 recruiting class awaits coaching move // The Courier-Journal | courier-journal.com

  Nine other UK commitments — among UK’s 14 total — who were reached by phone Sunday all said they remain pledged, too, although most are taking a wait-and-see approach to how the new hire affects them.

  No matter who Kentucky selects, we will lose a few. It's inevitable.

• Recruiting Insider // Trinity's James Quick sees Petrino as good fit at Kentucky football // courier-journal.com
  For the Petrino lovers.

• Kentucky Football Gets Head Start On 2012 Coaching Carousel And The Big Finish // BC Interruption
  Useful and interesting commentary at SBNations's Boston College blog about Kentucky's coaching search.

• Kentucky can't go wrong by hiring Cutcliffe // National Football Post

  I agree that Cutcliff would be a very strong hire at UK. Many UK fans have coveted him since he was OC at Tennessee.

  Many of you might think Cutcliff would come, but he is a famously loyal guy and Duke has been good to him. At best, it would be a lateral move. I predict, if offered, he would not come.

• Kentucky Sports Radio // Troublesome allegations continue to follow Mike Leach
  I have never thought Leach was a candidate for the UK job anyway.

• Having Bobby Petrino at top of UK search makes sense to Joe Hall and maybe to others as well // vaughtsviews
  More support for the Petrino lovers. I still say he is not going to come here no matter what we do, and that works for me.

• Bobby Petrino is no Coach Cal // Ky Cat Stats
  Support for the Petrino haters out there.

Kentucky basketball sliders

• Polson leads UK to victory // CBS Sports
  Not a fan of Parrish, but this is good.

• UK basketball notebook: One-and-done players here to stay // Kentucky.com

  For better or worse, Kentucky is synonymous with star recruits who stay in college one season and leave for the NBA. As someone noted a few years ago, UK is a "glorified AAU program." No question prompted Vitale's reference to fast food. It came as part of his introductory remarks to begin a teleconference promoting ESPN's telecast of the UK-Maryland game.

  I disagree with the idea that UK is a "glorified AAU program." If so, it is glorified beyond that association, since there is no AAU program who could beat a college team at almost any level.

  I consider this a pejorative and unfair characterization, and the fast-food metaphor equally so. Dick Vitale is a supporter of Calipari, to be sure, but he has blinders on when it comes to the reality of modern college basketball. He is living in a past long gone, but apparently not forgotten.

• Calipari says Cats must improve their rebounding // Kentucky.com
  Gee, ya think? Thanks, Mr. Obvious. :-)

• Pete Thamel thinks Kentucky will "flop." // SI.com
  via Walter's Wildcat World.

• Jarrod Polson: Kentucky's Unlikely Hero // Rant Sports

  The irony is undeniable. On a team full of future NBA players and McDonald’s All-Americans, a former walk-on was needed for Kentucky to survive their opening night game Friday against Maryland.

  Irony indeed.

  But one thing Calipari understands is what Kentucky kids bring to the team. He doesn't bring many, but he knows the diamonds in the rough, and Polson is definitely one. This kid has looked good all year, and will be an asset that will add unexpected value to this team.

• Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari has spoiled fans who expect instant success, but team needs time to jell // NY Daily News
  The great Dick Weiss is right. We are spoiled, and I happily admit that. It's nice to be spoiled. In spite of that, I think most of us get the idea that this team isn't likely to be as good, as fast, as last year's. I have seen enough negative projections on the season by Wildcats partisans to know that even if we are a little spoiled, we're not stupid.

• John Smallwood: Can't fault Calipari for knowing how the game is played // Philly.com
  Make of this what you will. It's a little passive/aggressive for my taste.

• Growing pains: John Calipari searches for Kentucky’s ‘fight’ // Sporting News

  "We're not ready to play 40 minutes of basketball—we're just not ready," Calipari said after a game that demonstrated his point, with Kentucky squandering a 49-36 halftime lead before rallying down the stretch. "How about this? We don't have a press attack. Could you tell? We haven't put it in yet, haven't had time. (Maryland) went to the 1-3-1 zone. We don't have a zone offense in yet. I know you're looking at me, saying 'you're crazy.' Did you notice they didn't know what the hell to do?"

  Yes. We noticed.

Other UK sports Bloody Mary

• Live blog: Volleyball at Arkansas // UKAThletics.com
  Today at 2:30. Go here to participate in the live blog.

Links posts coffee cake

• Tom Leach // Sunday Links

College football salad

• For the first time since 2005, it doesn't seem as if an SEC program will play in the national title game – let alone win the national championship. // USA Today
  It had to happen sometime.

• AUBURN, Ala.: Georgia shuts out Auburn // Kentucky.com
  Is there any chance at all Chizik survives this season? I say no.

• Football: FAU shocks Western Kentucky with decisive 37-28 win // University Press
  Ugh. Hate to see this for my alma mater.

• GAINESVILLE, Fla.: ULL's upset bid blocked in final seconds // Kentucky.com
  Mark Hudspeth, go directly to the head of the UK coach search class.

• SYRACUSE, N.Y.: Syracuse beats No. 11 Louisville 45-26 // Kentucky.com
  Louisville was absurdly fortunate to get this far undefeated. I see at least one more loss on their schedule at Rutgers, and it wouldn't shock me if UConn took them down also.

• Vandy bowl eligible, Tennessee goes down in OT, SEC updates // John Clay's Sidelines

• Vols' latest loss casts doubt on Dooley's future // Times Union
  There was a lot of doubt before this game. And some of the head-scratching decisions he made will not help his case for retention.

• SEC roundup: Georgia wins East title // Stltoday
  You know, this Georgia team has parlayed the weakest schedule in the SEC into a divisional championship, just like you're supposed to.

• Initial Impressions from the Texas A&M Game - Roll 'Bama Roll

  Most glaring issue yesterday was the horrendous start, which was a disaster in nearly every way imaginable. The Alabama offense opened the game with three consecutive three-and-outs, and the defense one-upped the incompetence by allowing three touchdowns while rarely even being able to get A&M onto third down.

  OutsideTheSidelines laments Alabama's loss at Roll Bama Roll.

• Derek Dooley Squanders His Last Opportunity, Loses to Missouri in 4 Overtimes // Rocky Top Talk

  Following Tennessee football recently has been maddening, and today I think it's safe to say that madness has finally driven us off the cliff in a maniacal, burning rage. So passes Denethor.

  LoTR reference will always get you linked here. Well played, Joel.
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College basketball croissants

• College basketball on TV for Nov. 11 // John Clay's Sidelines

• Shabazz Muhammad declared ineligible // A Sea Of Blue

• Late Night Snacks: What you missed while watching football // CollegeBasketballTalk
  Look at that Mizzou score. I'm telling you, this team is not going to win the SEC.

• Tipping Off The Big East Countdown: #1 LouisvilleRush The Court // Rush The Court
  Bah. I predict more than 10 losses for Louisville.

• Frank Martin Offering Free Food to Students Who Attend the South Carolina Home Opener // The Big Lead
  Heh. If UK did this, it would bankrupt the school. :-)

Other sports news sausage

• Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s huge night // John Clay's Sidelines
  MKG!!!

• Recap: Bobcats Laugh at Impossible, Beat Mavs 101-97 - Rufus on Fire

  Kidd-Gilchrist had his best game as a pro and he was everywhere. MKG made effort plays on both ends, but also made huge shots in the waning stages of the game and even converted at the free throw line late. The rookie has already been able to fill up the stat sheet, but seeing him contribute on offense and especially scoring is a thrilling and encouraging sign for Charlotte.

Other news