Monday Quickies: Football Postseason Edition

Yesterday had to feel like a crowning achievement for Mark Stoops. He’s been here for six years and has had many ups and downs. But it seems as if the program is finally turned around as the Cats are headed to their third straight bowl game and this one is the biggest yet.

It was announced yesterday that the Cats will be a part of the Citrus Bowl in Orlando Florida to take on the Penn State Nitany Lions on New Years Day.

Thanks to a 9-3 record and finishing second in the SEC, the Cats were awarded with one of the biggest bowl games in the program’s history and certainly the biggest one of the modern era.

Now the postseason preparation begins. Stoops will focus on getting guys healthy and rehabbed as the end of the season left many Cats with bumps and bruises. The it will be time to get back on the field and take advantage of the extra practices they get due to the bowl game.

We have another month of football left, folks. Savor it.

Tweets of the Day

I would say Benny is excited.

I definitely think there is some truth in this.

Indeed!

Quickies

Zy’Aire Hughes arrested on assault charges | Cats Pause- While the rest of the team was celebrating the Citrus Bowl invite, Zy’Aire Hughes was dealing with legal matters. Hughes had one electric touchdown this season against Murray State but was quiet the rest of the year. Mark Stoops released a statement and is looking into the matter.

Coaches and players discuss Citrus Bowl | Lexington Herald Leader- They have all worked extremely hard to get to this point and against the odds. Might as well go out there and win it. That’s the mentality to have.

One question about every SEC bowl game | Saturdays Down South- Josh Allen is going to be the best player on the field when these two teams meet up on January First. But how will it play out?

One of the best individual matchups of bowl season will take place in Orlando. Watching one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in the country against the likely All-American will be fun to watch. Allen can rush the passer, drop back in coverage, and/or spy the quarterback. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him do all 3 things against Penn State’s all-time leading passer.

Betting every college football bowl game | Cats Pause- Kentucky opens as a seven point underdog to Penn State which is right about where I would put it.

Penn State previews Kentucky | Black Shoe Diaries- Read the comments section. As Justin Rowland pointed out, the Penn State faithful aren’t too pumped about playing the Cats. Will make it all the better when we spank em.

Packers fire Mike McCarthy | CBS- After losing at home to the dreadful 3-9 Arizona Cardinals, the Green Bay Packers reacted by firing head coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy won a Super Bowl with the Pack and under him the team has been a perennial playoff team. He’s already been rumored to take over for the Cleveland Browns.

Picking a winner for each bowl game | ESPN- I think there will be a lot of this: close score, Trace McSorley vs. Josh Allen.

Record-setting Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley takes on national awards candidate Josh Allen and a ferocious Kentucky defense. Expect a very tight game, but the Lions are a more complete team and McSorley goes out a winner after highlight reel touchdown scamper in the final minute.

Prediction: Penn State 28, Kentucky 23

No plan to expand the college football playoff | Sporting News- I think the committee has been doing a fine job of setting up the playoff and they got it right this year. Even though I think Georgia is better than Oklahoma, the Sooners have only one loss, which they avenged by winning their conference championship game.