It's Called Momentum

Even just a little bit can make a difference in a game, in a season.

Mark Story poses a good question here, why move the L'ville game at all? For Rich Brooks it was a personal preference.

“I just prefer to play the game in the middle of the season or at the end of the season,” Brooks said. “It's what I'm used to. I'm used to playing rivalry games later in the season.”

Although I'll buy that excuse from Rich Brooks to some extent, the better part of me says that's a B.S. statement. You see it's called momentum. It's better for Kentucky to go into the L'ville game say 2-0 after playing a couple cupcake non-conference games than it is opening the season with L'ville. And Brooks is right, by that time he can address issues on both sides of the ball that occur and watch game tape of L'ville. It's an advantage for both L'ville and Kentucky, more so for Kentucky because they're banking on a 2-0 start to the season going into Louisville AND knowing a bit of what L'ville may bring them.

Louisville on the other hand doesn't want the rivalry game delayed because, well, to them Kentucky is one of those cupcake, easy non conference wins on their schedule. See? Louisville has owned Kentucky and it looks like it's not going to change any time soon with the exception of a possible upset this season. Why would Louisville move this rivalry game down their schedule and give Kentucky an opportunity to scout them? Trust me, the Cardinals aren't worried about scouting the Wildcats which is why they like Kentucky first on their schedule, especially when the game is played in their backyard so don't expect that to change. Ever.

Me? Well I'd like to see the rivalry be the last game played because by then emotions are high, bowl season is in the air, and one of these two teams, hopefully both, will be trying to hold on or vie for a bowl game.

And that would be good TV!

So it's called momentum. Either way you look at, Kentucky is trying to build momentum up to the rivalry game with L'ville while L'ville already has it and doesn't want to let it go. There's a term for that, but we won't say what it is here.

I have one thing to ask the Louisville Cardinals Football Staff: If you're so confident in your coaching and team, then why not play this rivalry game last on the schedule like the rest of the nation does? Scared to lose something?

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