This picture has been hanging around the UK Football facility this week to get the players ready for Saturday
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) September 8, 2021
They want revenge pic.twitter.com/E61rU2Prn7
This is the lasting image from las season’s 20-10 loss at Missouri. The score felt more like 50-10 as the Kentucky Wildcats were completely embarrassed by the Missouri Tigers. The Tigers were the tougher and more physical team. This is something that Mark Stoops absolutely cannot stand.
While the “revenge” tactic is a motivational tool, this game tonight is massive even without that narrative. Both Kentucky and Missouri are trying to climb up the latter in the SEC. UK is ranked 28th in the Sagarin and Mizzou is ranked 27th. Kentucky has beaten Missouri five out of the last six times they played.
Each program is feeling differently about this game. Missouri struggled for a half against Central Michigan before pulling out a ho-hum 34-24 win. Kentucky, on the other hand, completely blitzed their week one cupcake opponent 45-10. While the “wow” moments were plentiful, there were some mistakes that Kentucky hopefully addressed but the fans felt great about their team nonetheless.
The overwhelming sense that I get from most Missouri fans is that Kentucky has the better team and they expect UK to win. Of course Kentucky fans expect to win.
While it’s not like Kentucky is playing LSU, Florida or Georgia tonight, they are fighting for footing in the Eastern Division. A loss today puts them behind schedule while a win puts them in prime position to be 4-0 heading into a home tilt with Florida. Chattanooga and South Carolina are the foes in the coming weeks but, make no mistake, Kentucky cannot look past this one. Win tonight and confidence around the program will be as high as it’s been since Mark Stoops has been here.
Tweets of the Day
All Blue Everything #ForTheTeam @_JoshAli6 Gameday Gear x @kentuckybranded pic.twitter.com/36RnES8Isr
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 10, 2021
September 11, 2001 | 8:37 A.M. Boston Air Traffic Control alerts the military after hearing Mohamed Atta message from Flight 11. pic.twitter.com/eeLXHnPMKB
— WHAS11 News (@WHAS11) September 11, 2021
Hard to believe it’s been 20 years since this unspeakable tragedy.
Quickies
Q&A with ASOB | Rock M Nation- Thanks to Sammy Stava for including me in his Q&A post. Look at the comments to see how Missouri fans are about this game tonight.
Match up preview for Mizzou at Kentucky | Power Mizzou- This is a fantastic breakdown from Mitchell Forde. Definitely worth your time as you prep for the game.
Will Levis wins weekly Manning Award | Cats Pause- Could this be the first of many accolades that Will Levis collects throughout the course of the season?
Being named team captain was a special moment for Will Levis | Vaught’s Views- It didn’t take long for the first year UK QB to earn the respect from his teammates. We all saw why on Saturday.
Week 2 bold predictions | SDS- They nailed it last week with the Will Levis passing yards prediction. I hope they’re on the money with this one as well.
Buy or Sell UK vs. Missouri | Cats Illustrated- The guys have some fun with seem hot takes about the game.
#2 Wisconsin rallies to beat #8 Kentucky | UK Athletics- It was a huge road test and the Cats didn’t get the W last night. They have a chance to rebound tonight at 7:00 PM against a very good Marquette team.
UMASS unveils John Calipari statue among other greats | Masslive.com- John Calipari was honored along with Marcus Camby, Julius Irving and Jack Leman. Will he also receive a statue in Lexington?
Bob Baffert trained horses banned from Oaks and Derby qualifying | WDRB- No Bob Baffert in May is going to be extremely weird around here.
Ty Scroggins honored by Central High School | WLKY- The former Central High football coach led the Yellowjackets to prominence with multiple state football titles. Coach Scroggins passed away due to complications from COVID-19. Last night, Central named their stadium after the late great coach. Central went on to run past Belfry in a fitting end to the night.
Are Ducks due at the Shoe? | CBS- Oregon at Ohio State highlight kind of a blah second week in college football. But there are some interesting games out there including Texas going against Arkansas in an SEC matchup preview.
I’ll be live on the radio after the game tonight for the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife UK Postgame Show. I’ll be getting started around 10:30 or 11:00 so come join me for some late night football conversation. I’ll have Mark Stoops presser live and player sound as well!
Follow the leader, ESPN Louisville.
— ESPN Louisville (@ESPN680) September 3, 2021
- ESPN 680 AM | 105.7 FM
- https://t.co/MCcOqOuvzx
- ESPN Louisville app | ESPN app | TuneIn
- Listen: https://t.co/sZ2qwYajZr pic.twitter.com/z2VFkeT0KE
And finally... UK with a moving and fitting tribute to those innocent people and first responders that lost their lives on September 11th, 2001.
#WeRemember911 #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/9fCop8WXaQ
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) September 11, 2021