WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:03.560 Hello, already to the facilities of the iHeartMedia Megaplex. This 2 00:00:03.720 --> 00:00:07.480 is Dick Gabriel. This is the inaugural state wide edition 3 00:00:07.519 --> 00:00:10.160 of The Big Blue Insider, Aaron Gershawan and Billy Rutledge 4 00:00:10.160 --> 00:00:14.160 alongside the kick off the Kentucky football season. It is 5 00:00:14.240 --> 00:00:16.839 going to be one like no other. You already know why. 6 00:00:16.879 --> 00:00:21.359 You've already heard Mark Stoops talking about it, and Logan Stenberg, 7 00:00:21.440 --> 00:00:24.679 Christy Thomas, Keith Farmer, Darren Hedrick and we will chop 8 00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:26.760 it up as well coming up here on the state 9 00:00:26.760 --> 00:00:29.239 wide edition of the BBI Border to Border. It is 10 00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:32.079 the Big Blue Insider. Dick Gabriel, Aeron Gershaw and Billy Rutliss. 11 00:00:32.079 --> 00:00:35.479 We got the band back together. I missed a few 12 00:00:35.520 --> 00:00:38.039 weeks last year. I had a good excuse, got a 13 00:00:38.079 --> 00:00:41.679 visit from doctor Bonesaw, but Billy and Aaron held things down. 14 00:00:42.479 --> 00:00:44.640 But we finished. We finished the year strong and we 15 00:00:44.719 --> 00:00:48.119 expect to get out early this year. Let me throw 16 00:00:48.159 --> 00:00:50.000 this at both of you and Aaron. You were at 17 00:00:50.200 --> 00:00:53.719 the news conference today and Billy you listened to sound 18 00:00:53.759 --> 00:00:57.359 bites from the Stoops press conference, and of course he 19 00:00:57.479 --> 00:01:01.840 was on tonight with Tom Leach. Somebody asked stoops today 20 00:01:01.840 --> 00:01:05.000 about all the excitement surrounding the team this year, And 21 00:01:05.079 --> 00:01:07.760 I got to be honest with you, I think Kentucky 22 00:01:07.799 --> 00:01:09.560 fans are kind of holding a lot of that in 23 00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:12.799 the bands right now, Aaron. I think they're just it's 24 00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:15.480 a real wait and see. Not only back to back 25 00:01:15.519 --> 00:01:18.799 seven and six seasons, which, believe it or not, in 26 00:01:18.840 --> 00:01:23.079 the big plaination now was disappointing, but also there's just 27 00:01:23.120 --> 00:01:25.480 there's just so many unknowns, starting with the schedule and 28 00:01:25.519 --> 00:01:27.599 the QB and the new OC and all that stuff. 29 00:01:29.319 --> 00:01:31.920 You get talking to your mic, it's right over. 30 00:01:31.799 --> 00:01:36.439 There with a turnover here, little rusty, aren't you the producer? 31 00:01:36.719 --> 00:01:38.439 Little rusty on me? 32 00:01:38.560 --> 00:01:38.840 Sure? 33 00:01:39.680 --> 00:01:41.920 Just used to podcasting at home and not just talking 34 00:01:41.959 --> 00:01:44.840 to the headphones. Sorry about that, but I would say, yeah, 35 00:01:44.840 --> 00:01:46.799 I think it's the schedule. I mean, you're gonna know 36 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:50.280 kind of the trajectory of this season in three weeks, right, 37 00:01:50.519 --> 00:01:53.920 if they lose the South Carolina, Oh boy, if then 38 00:01:54.000 --> 00:01:56.480 it's too late, Yeah, it's already probably. 39 00:01:56.560 --> 00:01:57.120 Oh it's great. 40 00:01:57.159 --> 00:01:58.920 It might be over next week if they lose, But 41 00:01:59.200 --> 00:02:01.920 besides the point, now we'll see what happens. But if 42 00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:04.120 they go too and one play Georgia pretty tight. You 43 00:02:04.120 --> 00:02:05.760 feel pretty good. The fans are back in it. If 44 00:02:05.799 --> 00:02:07.760 you somehow start three and oh, the fans are all 45 00:02:07.799 --> 00:02:10.479 the way in it. You start two and one, lousy 46 00:02:10.520 --> 00:02:13.560 win over South Carolina like close game, we'll wait more, 47 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:15.719 wait and see. So I think it's really the schedule, 48 00:02:15.759 --> 00:02:17.960 And like you said, two seven and six seasons, which 49 00:02:18.199 --> 00:02:20.879 would have been celebrated this time six seven years ago, 50 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:25.280 that's just now. The fan base expects more and it 51 00:02:25.400 --> 00:02:27.080 is a wait and see mode, and there's a lot 52 00:02:27.120 --> 00:02:29.159 of new pieces. A lot of people just don't know 53 00:02:29.199 --> 00:02:30.280 what to expect, honestly. 54 00:02:30.919 --> 00:02:33.319 Yeah, and piggybacking on that, I don't know what to 55 00:02:33.360 --> 00:02:35.879 expect from Brock Vandergriff. I heard he doesn't cuss. I 56 00:02:35.919 --> 00:02:38.080 heard he has a cell phone clip that he wears 57 00:02:38.120 --> 00:02:40.560 and he likes to shoot deer. Besides that, I don't 58 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:41.400 know much about the guy. 59 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:43.039 Oh, those pluses are minus well, I. 60 00:02:42.960 --> 00:02:43.919 Think summer pluses. 61 00:02:44.599 --> 00:02:46.840 I couldn't pull off the cell phone clips, so yeah, 62 00:02:46.840 --> 00:02:48.919 it more power to him. I also don't know who's 63 00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:50.159 going to be playing a lot of running back. 64 00:02:50.199 --> 00:02:53.680 I guess it's d DSK DKs, one of those two there. 65 00:02:53.919 --> 00:02:56.960 Yeah, and He's been serviceable in the past, but you've 66 00:02:57.000 --> 00:02:58.960 expected Chip train him to be there, and now he's 67 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:01.560 got a broken hand. And if he misses that South 68 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:04.280 Carolina game, kind of like Aaron said, you lose that game, 69 00:03:04.360 --> 00:03:07.199 the trajectory of the season really changes. So, you know, 70 00:03:07.319 --> 00:03:09.719 cautiously optimistic is the term I've used a couple of 71 00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:12.599 times now. But you know, I think people are in 72 00:03:12.680 --> 00:03:15.599 Kentucky are still excited to get this thing going. 73 00:03:15.680 --> 00:03:16.879 And plus they're going to see. 74 00:03:16.719 --> 00:03:18.960 Those new lights on that night game versus Southern miss 75 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:20.560 and that's going to bring even more excitement. 76 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:25.240 Yeah. And I think that people who follow this program 77 00:03:25.280 --> 00:03:28.759 for so long they know now that it's okay to 78 00:03:28.759 --> 00:03:31.400 get excited because they have a right to get excited. 79 00:03:31.439 --> 00:03:34.560 You know, even if their team only wins seven. I 80 00:03:34.599 --> 00:03:37.080 think eight games, eight wins is a great season this year. 81 00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:39.039 Nine eight is a great season. 82 00:03:39.199 --> 00:03:42.759 Nine you're flirting with the playoffs, yes, right, yes, ending 83 00:03:42.840 --> 00:03:44.719 on your nine depending on your wins. 84 00:03:44.520 --> 00:03:47.800 Yeah, exactly, and assuming that everyone stacks up how they're 85 00:03:47.800 --> 00:03:48.199 supposed to. 86 00:03:48.599 --> 00:03:50.800 I got a chance to go to the scrimmage two 87 00:03:50.840 --> 00:03:53.719 saturdays back, and then the agreement is you don't report 88 00:03:53.759 --> 00:03:56.360 on what you see but all I will say about 89 00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:59.520 Demi Sumacarmby is just having seen him there and in 90 00:03:59.639 --> 00:04:03.439 the pub a practice where you were aaron, get him 91 00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:06.439 in space, you're gonna like what you see. Yeah, because 92 00:04:06.479 --> 00:04:10.120 he is fast, he's nimble, he's a good broken field 93 00:04:10.159 --> 00:04:12.919 and open field runner. He's not chip training, but that's 94 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:14.479 why they went in and got chip trained. 95 00:04:14.479 --> 00:04:16.600 And when they used you know, when NC State used 96 00:04:16.600 --> 00:04:19.040 Simil Karmbay is a traditional back in twenty two average 97 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:21.279 five and a half yards from marry and a couple 98 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:24.040 of yards after contact. So you know, the hope is 99 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:27.839 he can discover that last year Mark Stoops either I 100 00:04:27.839 --> 00:04:29.600 think he said on the radio show, like last year 101 00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:33.040 they were they were the numbers that wide receiver weren't 102 00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:34.800 there and they needed help there, so they put them 103 00:04:34.800 --> 00:04:37.639 in the slot. This year, numbers at running back aren't there, 104 00:04:37.639 --> 00:04:39.519 so he's gonna be playing his natural position. 105 00:04:40.839 --> 00:04:43.399 Here's another thing I don't know, another offensive coordinator, is 106 00:04:43.399 --> 00:04:45.240 this the sixth the one under Mark Stoops? 107 00:04:45.959 --> 00:04:48.920 Are they going to continue to run the ball to. 108 00:04:48.920 --> 00:04:49.560 Do so much? 109 00:04:50.199 --> 00:04:51.759 Or four and four years technically? 110 00:04:51.879 --> 00:04:52.560 Right? Yeah? 111 00:04:52.600 --> 00:04:54.519 Four and four years if you counting him twice, right, 112 00:04:54.680 --> 00:04:56.000 I would definitely count it. 113 00:04:56.079 --> 00:04:57.040 So as much as we. 114 00:04:57.000 --> 00:05:00.759 Talked about Stoops being the elder statesman and a symbol 115 00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:04.360 of continuity in the SEC, you also have some issues there. 116 00:05:05.199 --> 00:05:08.959 Eighth receivers coach, eighth receivers coach, something like that. Brad White, 117 00:05:09.040 --> 00:05:10.319 I think took some heat at the end of the 118 00:05:10.399 --> 00:05:12.319 year for the way that they played defense. 119 00:05:12.360 --> 00:05:14.920 But they've also death second. 120 00:05:16.680 --> 00:05:19.800 Yeah, so we'll see, I mean, we'll see if these 121 00:05:19.839 --> 00:05:21.319 guys have changed or if we're going to see the 122 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:22.839 same old Kentucky back out there again. 123 00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:24.839 And I don't want to see another seven and sixth season. 124 00:05:25.240 --> 00:05:27.439 Well who does well? 125 00:05:27.519 --> 00:05:29.319 I think some things well. 126 00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:32.480 Some people say that that used to be good for Kentucky. 127 00:05:31.920 --> 00:05:34.319 Did not trust me, look at me, look look at 128 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:36.920 this gray hair. That used to be good. That was 129 00:05:36.959 --> 00:05:40.920 the cause for parties and parades and talk of a 130 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:44.360 statue of Mark Stewson that he's but somebody I didn't. 131 00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:46.199 I didn't. I think Freddy I heard Freddy Magers say 132 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:48.839 this first. But he'll tell you didn't invent it. But 133 00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:50.920 he didn't just raise the ceiling. He raised the floor, 134 00:05:51.720 --> 00:05:54.879 you know, I mean it used to be six wins. 135 00:05:55.279 --> 00:05:57.160 I can't tell you. And this is before you got 136 00:05:57.160 --> 00:05:59.399 here admittally. That's what makes it interesting. How long have 137 00:05:59.399 --> 00:05:59.800 you been to this. 138 00:05:59.839 --> 00:06:04.639 Mart Lexington specifically since twenty nineteen and in Kentucky, uh, 139 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:06.879 well since like eight. 140 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:09.600 But because you went to Western Kentucky, right, did you 141 00:06:09.639 --> 00:06:11.480 hear much talk about UK back then? 142 00:06:12.439 --> 00:06:13.040 Not as much? 143 00:06:13.199 --> 00:06:13.360 Right? 144 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:16.519 No? Not basketball down. 145 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:19.879 Plus that was the toward the end of the rich 146 00:06:19.959 --> 00:06:23.279 Brooks era and then Joker everything kind of fell apart. 147 00:06:23.399 --> 00:06:27.720 But my point is that when you got to Kentucky, 148 00:06:27.720 --> 00:06:30.800 when you especially when you got to Lexington, UK football 149 00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:32.959 right and higher when you got to Louisville, I should say, 150 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:37.360 you know. And so now you have every right as 151 00:06:37.399 --> 00:06:40.600 someone who follows UK football to be unhappy with a 152 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:43.839 seven and six record because that's not the standard. It's not. 153 00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:46.680 And look at who Kentucky's brought in. I mean, they've 154 00:06:46.680 --> 00:06:50.680 got an All American at linebacker, Yeah, from Georgia. They 155 00:06:50.680 --> 00:06:54.439 have Georgia's backup quarterback, they had Ohio States running back. 156 00:06:54.519 --> 00:06:57.720 I mean these are I mean, these are crazy programs 157 00:06:57.720 --> 00:06:58.839 that you're getting players from. 158 00:06:58.839 --> 00:07:01.160 So I think naturally expectations should be higher. 159 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:04.759 Does anybody worked the portal as well or better than stoops? 160 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:08.319 Not many, not many. I mean, obviously can argue some 161 00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:11.360 of the top Alabamas and Ohio states of the world, 162 00:07:11.360 --> 00:07:15.319 but just no, I mean Mark Stoops. The percentage guys 163 00:07:15.319 --> 00:07:17.279 that have hit as much higher than the guys who 164 00:07:17.360 --> 00:07:19.639 have busted out of the portal. Like I can name 165 00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:21.639 just a handful of bus off the top of my hand, 166 00:07:21.680 --> 00:07:23.879 and I could go through ten to fifteen. 167 00:07:24.120 --> 00:07:26.439 I think they they fill their needs as well as 168 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:28.720 they do it, and they might not be the greatest talent, 169 00:07:28.920 --> 00:07:29.680 but they feel their. 170 00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:31.680 Needs and I think they did it again this off season. 171 00:07:31.800 --> 00:07:33.959 The guys Billy mentioned. I think Jamary Macklin's a guy 172 00:07:34.040 --> 00:07:36.240 just because you have Barryon Brown and Dan Keyes flying 173 00:07:36.279 --> 00:07:37.360 under the radar a little bit. 174 00:07:37.720 --> 00:07:37.839 Uh. 175 00:07:37.959 --> 00:07:40.279 Dj Waller, I think is the guy they really liked. 176 00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:43.680 He just hasn't been healthy or consistent. They loved. When 177 00:07:43.959 --> 00:07:46.160 a guy's not doing exactly what they want, they always 178 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:49.319 mention consistency, and he's kind of in that in that boat. 179 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:50.199 Is that the code word? 180 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:52.839 I think that Jeff German and I were talking about 181 00:07:52.839 --> 00:07:55.079 that at a practice last week, like, all right, if 182 00:07:55.079 --> 00:07:57.759 we hear this guy needs to be more consistent, they're 183 00:07:57.759 --> 00:08:00.680 not quite ready for fully unleashing. That's like the Jamarian 184 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:03.000 Wilcox every time he was brought up the last couple 185 00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:06.120 of weeks, it's been consistency low Behold. Though Mark Sus 186 00:08:06.199 --> 00:08:08.160 didn't make a comment heul play he wasn't on the 187 00:08:08.160 --> 00:08:09.160 death start today. 188 00:08:09.240 --> 00:08:12.160 Well, to me, that simply means there's some plays he's. 189 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:15.079 Just not very good, you know. I mean, that's that's fair. 190 00:08:15.279 --> 00:08:17.160 Oh yeah, it's not a knock on any of them. 191 00:08:17.160 --> 00:08:19.839 But when when you hear those that word from Bradley 192 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:22.240 Mark Stukes rush hand and that's usually, yeah, we're not 193 00:08:22.279 --> 00:08:24.199 totally sold dead. If they don't use that word or 194 00:08:24.199 --> 00:08:26.639 they say they are being consistent, like Fred Ferrier is 195 00:08:26.680 --> 00:08:29.279 the guy that keeps saying is making a play every practice, 196 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:30.600 they feel good about that. 197 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:33.600 In fact, it's not just the coaches, it's the other 198 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:34.759 receivers talking. 199 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:38.320 Out the receivers. Yes, and corners, Oh yeah, in the corners. 200 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:41.600 Who's giving you trouble? Fred Ferrier? Billy, you mentioned Brad 201 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:44.519 White and yeah he did take some heat and it 202 00:08:44.600 --> 00:08:47.039 wasn't just him. It was stoops down the stretch in 203 00:08:47.080 --> 00:08:50.159 the bowl game. But all they did was underscore what 204 00:08:50.279 --> 00:08:53.080 happens when your best d backs get hurt and leave 205 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:55.440 the game, but it also underscored their lack of depth 206 00:08:55.639 --> 00:08:58.440 because nobody back there really could make a play. They 207 00:08:58.440 --> 00:09:00.639 weren't in a position though they had him playing soft 208 00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:03.759 coverage in the ball game, but they had opportunities to 209 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:06.840 make plays. So now you have to wonder, especially, I 210 00:09:06.840 --> 00:09:10.679 think it's safety. You know, do they have enough depth 211 00:09:10.759 --> 00:09:14.000 back there because they've got to rotate them. I think 212 00:09:14.200 --> 00:09:17.759 as good as the defense looks right now, I think 213 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:19.200 that's a question mark, sure. 214 00:09:19.440 --> 00:09:22.159 And the secondary's best friend is a good pass rush, 215 00:09:22.200 --> 00:09:25.240 and they should have plenty of that this year, right, So, 216 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:27.840 I mean, I think you got to be optimistic about that, 217 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:30.799 and you completely change your perception on the end of 218 00:09:30.879 --> 00:09:32.519 last year if they would have got to the quarterback 219 00:09:32.559 --> 00:09:35.399 a couple seconds sooner, and you know, maybe that debacle 220 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:35.919 doesn't happen. 221 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:37.399 So it's a little give and take there. 222 00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:40.679 But you know what, Maxwell Harrison ain't going to have 223 00:09:40.720 --> 00:09:43.200 that many interceptions again this year because you know, when 224 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:45.480 a defensive back gets good, they don't throw it towards 225 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:47.600 that defensive back, right, So I just don't think he'll 226 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:51.360 have the same opportunities to lead the sec and interceptions. 227 00:09:51.399 --> 00:09:53.600 But I mean him and Dion you got to think 228 00:09:53.600 --> 00:09:55.960 probably two first round picks on this defense, right. 229 00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:57.960 You would think if he does follow up that way, 230 00:09:58.000 --> 00:10:00.480 And yeah, you could if you're playing and a man 231 00:10:00.519 --> 00:10:02.559 and they're good enough to play man, you can put 232 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:05.559 Harriston on the other team's best receiver. But to your point, 233 00:10:05.720 --> 00:10:09.399 you know, if they see Maxwell over there, they're gonna 234 00:10:09.440 --> 00:10:12.480 look elsewhere. He's not Dean Sanders, but he's gifted. 235 00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:16.000 Yeah, and that's why and Mark SUPs suction it both 236 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:18.159 in the press conference in this radio show today. They 237 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:19.840 got to figure out who that guy across the field 238 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:21.279 is going to be. I mean, I know they're gonna 239 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:23.679 try to rotate guys out and they're still evaluating. You 240 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:25.919 got to find a true cornerback too. You've got to 241 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:28.000 find a guy that you feel comfortable down in and 242 00:10:28.039 --> 00:10:30.600 down out across the field. That's when we've seen Kentucky 243 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:32.720 at their best. Honestly, we've seen him at their best 244 00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:35.080 with three or four deep. But you look twenty eighteen, 245 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:37.080 you had Bady and Lonnie always out there, and then 246 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:39.759 Chris Westker you playing a lot as well. Nineteen the 247 00:10:39.799 --> 00:10:41.919 year after that, Cedric Dort played a lot. Trying to 248 00:10:41.919 --> 00:10:45.480 think Brandon Eckles was outstanding for two years. Here trying 249 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:47.320 to think of the other corner on that team, Pologuice, 250 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:48.799 whoever that is. I can't think off the top of 251 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:49.879 what in Kelvin Joseph. 252 00:10:49.960 --> 00:10:52.279 You no, that was the year after they were gonna 253 00:10:52.279 --> 00:10:54.559 say Kelvin Joseph is now walking through that door. 254 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:57.000 Right, Yeah, So you got to find someone, whether it's 255 00:10:57.080 --> 00:11:00.799 j Q, Hardaway, Jansen, Dunn, DJ Waller, to step up 256 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:02.759 as that CB two. I think that that would unlock 257 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:04.879 the entire defense because. 258 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:08.240 Even as good or as well I should say, as 259 00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:13.600 the defense might play, the schedule is going to challenge 260 00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:16.200 them every week. And I've said all summer long on 261 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:19.080 my show. I don't know about you, but to me, 262 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:21.960 it's the calendar. I mean, it's not the teams they're playing, 263 00:11:21.960 --> 00:11:24.559 and it's formidable. You've got Ole miss rolling on, You've 264 00:11:24.559 --> 00:11:27.000 got Texas rolling on. But it's when they play them. 265 00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:30.360 As Aaron just mentioned, second week, you've got South Carolina. 266 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:33.759 There's no easing into it by playing East Nowhere State 267 00:11:34.200 --> 00:11:36.960 and Georgia right after. That could be a good thing, 268 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:39.200 could be a bad thing, but you you better be ready. 269 00:11:39.879 --> 00:11:42.279 Yeah, I mean, if you want to put yourself in 270 00:11:42.320 --> 00:11:45.279 the playoff consideration. You've got to win at Ole Miss, 271 00:11:45.320 --> 00:11:49.559 You've got to win at Texas, You've got to beat Tennessee, something. 272 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:51.559 You haven't done a lot of in the last three decades. 273 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:53.600 I mean, you've got to take care of business and 274 00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:56.440 win at Florida. And if you're talking about schedules, they've 275 00:11:56.480 --> 00:11:57.360 got probably the hard. 276 00:11:57.200 --> 00:12:01.360 Oh my gosh. Ever, yeah, I think so, though maybe 277 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:02.919 Florida State's not as good as we thought. 278 00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:05.799 But that's just the new SEC, though, is it not. 279 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:07.799 I mean, and I mean you've still got to take 280 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:10.360 care of business against Louisville, who just had their best 281 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:12.840 season in decades and had the number one I think 282 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:16.120 transfer portal class this year, so that's never easy. I 283 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:18.240 think that went over Louisville kind of dictated how you 284 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:19.360 looked at the season last year. 285 00:12:19.399 --> 00:12:21.240 Not just did Louisville have the number one, but it 286 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:23.559 had it might have had the biggest. They have like 287 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:24.720 twenty five kids. 288 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:27.159 Yeah, they're kind of the portal they're like ditching the 289 00:12:27.240 --> 00:12:30.320 high school recruit not quite, but they're taking very small 290 00:12:30.360 --> 00:12:33.399 high school numbers and being there a portal program and 291 00:12:33.440 --> 00:12:36.000 that works for something play it worked. It's working wonders 292 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:38.120 in Old Miss. Now we'll see if it works for them. 293 00:12:38.159 --> 00:12:40.879 I will say one benefit of the schedule is that 294 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:43.720 you do get some non conference games later in the year, 295 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:46.480 so it's not just a gauntlet of all SEC games. 296 00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:48.399 I think you get into a stretch of when you've 297 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:50.519 got to play all those in a row and the 298 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:53.200 last two you're beat up. I mean, there's no other 299 00:12:53.240 --> 00:12:55.600 way around it. So I think I actually like that 300 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:58.799 they're getting into conference play a little bit sooner. But man, 301 00:12:58.919 --> 00:13:01.639 they lose that game versus down South Carolina team week 302 00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:04.399 two at home, when you're already two and six. 303 00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:07.759 I didn't think they were that good lass South Carolina. 304 00:13:08.440 --> 00:13:10.159 And the thing about South Carolina last year, they at 305 00:13:10.200 --> 00:13:11.759 least they had a first round and bide receiver and 306 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:13.200 Zavil that he basically. 307 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:14.759 Beat Kentucky, and they had a decent quarterback. 308 00:13:14.840 --> 00:13:16.639 Sure they don't have. Well this year, they have a 309 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:19.960 quarterback just like Kentucky's never started before, even is less 310 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:22.919 experience than Rock Vander Griffin. Two. If you look at 311 00:13:22.919 --> 00:13:26.440 their wide receiver rooms, they're all either fcs or group 312 00:13:26.480 --> 00:13:30.039 of five transfers. They don't have a single experience. Our 313 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:31.279 five guy in that room. 314 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:33.240 By the way, Billy were talking about u of L. 315 00:13:33.320 --> 00:13:36.799 And I went on a trip up east up to 316 00:13:36.840 --> 00:13:39.559 Saratoga with some friends and my brother and their U 317 00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:43.480 of L fans, and I went to school there. They 318 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:47.840 could not stand their quarterback last year, and I'd watch 319 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:49.759 them every now and then, I know this guy's met oops. 320 00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:51.200 You know, he make a play and then he make 321 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:54.759 a mistake, and that's what he did against Kentucky. But 322 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:57.960 they flat out did not like him. But evidently the 323 00:13:58.039 --> 00:13:59.919 kid they're going to start this year is a seven 324 00:14:00.080 --> 00:14:00.799 to You're a guy. 325 00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:03.120 Who has never made it through a full season healthy. 326 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:03.440 Yeah. 327 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:05.240 Once. I don't think he's played more than seven. 328 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:09.639 That's why they my friends are are just a little 329 00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:11.960 confused about what they're looking at. But on the other hand, 330 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:15.840 preseason way too soon. Top twenty five's Top thirties, Top 331 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:19.759 fifties have UFL way ahead of Kentucky. But I think 332 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:23.799 that's the mystery factor, don't you, Because of the new QB, 333 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:27.639 the new OC and coming off a Bowl game loss. 334 00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:30.519 Yeah, And I think Jeff Brom is the darling of 335 00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:33.159 the media. I love myself little. 336 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:35.559 Jeff Brom proudly Trinity Shamrock that. 337 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:39.600 In Western Kentucky hilltop or conference championships back to back years. 338 00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:41.559 But it's also a rivalry game. 339 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:43.720 And even though Kentucky I believe is won the last five, 340 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:46.000 it's you got to throw that out the window to 341 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:47.679 a degree. I know these guys like to get up 342 00:14:47.679 --> 00:14:49.759 for that game. I even saw Mark Pope throwing L's 343 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:50.679 down in a video. 344 00:14:51.039 --> 00:14:53.639 I was surprised by that. He said, no horns down 345 00:14:53.679 --> 00:14:55.320 last year? Remember that? 346 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:57.399 Yeah, yeah, yeah, sure did so. 347 00:14:58.039 --> 00:15:00.240 I don't know, we'll see, but you've got to take 348 00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:02.000 care of business away before that Louisville game. 349 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:04.960 We'll take a break, come back and talk more Kentucky football. 350 00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:07.519 The opener is right on top of us. It's a 351 00:15:07.559 --> 00:15:10.320 state wide edition of the BBI. Stay with us from 352 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:12.240 Pike Lie to Paduca. It is the Big Blue and 353 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:15.240 Sider Dick Gabriel, Billy rud Lyitch Aeron Gershan. Of course, 354 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:19.399 talking about Kentucky football is the Wildcats kicked things off 355 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:22.039 on Saturday. Well here on most of these same stations, 356 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:24.919 the Wildcats and Southern Miss. And yeah, they've got a 357 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:28.120 history these two teams. Were you there during the comeback 358 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:31.200 year before year before you got the campus year here was. 359 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:32.559 The they won in Hattiesburg. 360 00:15:32.679 --> 00:15:36.200 Okay, uh, I don't have to mind you folks that yes, 361 00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:40.519 Southern miss came in and it was we thought the 362 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:44.639 launching of the Drew Barker era when the Wildcats just 363 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:47.039 ran and threw all over. 364 00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:49.399 Have you done research on the I've watched the game, 365 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:50.000 Oh have you? 366 00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:50.279 Yeah? 367 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:51.919 All right, well do you know the numbers off the 368 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:52.679 top of your head. 369 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:54.159 For all of the numbers, but they it looked like 370 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:57.919 Tim Couch. The first half was thirty five points. Yeah, yeah, 371 00:15:58.039 --> 00:16:00.519 Well they had got outscored twenty seven zip a second half. 372 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:01.919 I don't know what was worse. 373 00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:03.360 Shannon Dawson revenge game. 374 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:08.039 He had fired Shannon Dawson Soups had just because he 375 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:10.759 wasn't Stoops, wasn't comfortable with that offense. It was a 376 00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:14.240 jail break offense. And Shannon Dawson said all the right things, 377 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:16.000 you know, we want to balance, we want to run 378 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:19.039 the ball, blah blah blah. He was at a function 379 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:22.759 with a buddy of mine in the off season and 380 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:24.919 it was late in the evening, if you know what 381 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:27.600 I'm saying, And at one point he said to my buddy, 382 00:16:28.440 --> 00:16:33.279 I would throw it on every down if I could. Uh, 383 00:16:33.320 --> 00:16:35.720 And that's the way he called plays at Southern Miss, 384 00:16:35.799 --> 00:16:36.120 wasn't it? 385 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:38.120 Man? He had an NFL quarterback in news. 386 00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:42.080 They sure did. But yeah, I don't, I don't. I 387 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:45.519 just remember watching that game unfold, thinking how is this happening? 388 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:49.240 How is Kentucky not moving the ball? And how is 389 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:52.039 Southern Miss dicing them up? But yeah, and then the 390 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:55.480 following year to your point one, Yeah, but and it 391 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:59.759 was the debut for Josh Pascal's when they had the 392 00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:02.600 Megahito ended up in the NFL for a little while, 393 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:08.400 and Pascal destroyed him inside the five yard line. So yeah, 394 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:11.960 these teams go back and forth. You might have. Yeah, 395 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:13.799 I think you do. That's a good good memories. 396 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:16.559 They're also getting paid, right, Southern Miss gets paid to 397 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:17.440 play Kentucky. 398 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:20.160 Oh sure, Remember this game was supposed to be an act. 399 00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:22.319 Remember remember the whole. 400 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:25.480 I think I think Southern Miss is getting paid by 401 00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:28.079