Kentucky Tailgating

That was a tough one! Just when you think the Cats would catch a break, that old friend I like to call heartbreak comes by to say hello. I wanted this win so bad. So did the players and fans. Oh well, need to rally and prepare for the upcoming bowl game.

In tailgating news, we had a great time! There was a TON of chili that was enjoyed by all. Lots of corn hole was played and there will be plenty of pictures for me to post early this week. I have a ton to go through.

So tune in early this week and I will have pictures posts, as well as add them to the album. I will also add some best ones from past tailgates at Commonwealth.

While tailgating is done for the year inside the Bluegrass, there will probably be many that go to the bowl game. Also, we are already starting to plan next year’s festivities! It is an exciting time. During the off season I will continue to update on football related news as it comes available as well as some other items, such as Tailgating pictures of the week. You can submit those to me at kevin@kentuckytailgating.com, so send them to me!

Just wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a happy thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for. Personally, I am thankful for great friends and family. It is the people in our lives that make this life exciting and fun!

Hopefully we will see a bunch of friends and family tailgating at Commonwealth this Saturday. Come on out early and lets beat the Vols! And since it is senior night, lets show our 26 graduating Wildcats how thankful we are for them.

This coming Saturday’s tailgating against the Tennessee Correctional Travel team will start approximately 10:00 AM. The main menu item will be chili, so be careful around open flames in the evening. I saw a student catch himself on fire the night before the Bama game. Don’t be that guy. for directions, refer to yesterday’s post here. You can also email me at kevin@kentuckytailgating.com any questions.

So come out early and lets cheer on our beloved Cats to victory over the convicts. This is senior night for several players that have done more at UK than any other class, go to four straight bowls. Also, rumors are circulating that Coach Brooks may retire this year. Just in case, lets be loud and send Pawpaw off with a bang!

Below is a map to where you can find the location for tailgate on Saturday. I’ll put up some more details tomorrow, but suffice it to say, this should be a good one. This game is huge and there should be a good turn out in spite of the cold weather. Look for us at the corner of Sports Center Drive and Cooper Drive. You’ll see the long line of about five to six tailgating tents lined up. Tom, Dirt, and the boys will probably have the sides down so it will be a nice place to get out of the wind. Please come out and join us as we end the streak!

Freshman defensive back Jansen Jackson has had armed robbery charges against him dropped according to ESPN. Living here in Knoxville this is not very surprising since he was not one of the two to actually hold up the victims with a pellet gun. He was either sitting in the Prius or inside the store at the time of the incident, depending on who you talk to.

However, now that the charges are dropped, Lane Kiffin has a very interesting decision to make. Does he play his very talented Freshman this Saturday or not? No one seems to know here in Big Orange Capital of the world. However, if he does play this kid there will be a storm of criticism. This is not the first time UT has had problems with him. During the Prius backed heist, Jackson was suspended for violating substance abuse rules.

So, assuming Jackson does not play UT’s defense is VERYthin. Especially at linebacker where the Vols are starting a 4th string Middle Linebacker, and are down four total at my last count. You take away Jackson, (whom many Vols consider to be the heir apparent to Eric Berry), from the secondary and you have a Vols defense that is thinner than Kige Ramsey’s anorexic ridden Nicole Richie.

I think this plays in to that Cats strengths, which is running the ball. Make no mistake, UT’s depth 2nd, 3rd, and 4th stringers are still talented. However, the lack of experience and depth can be exploited. I expect this to be an ugly game, but UK can and will pull away in the second half with the solid running of Locke and Cobb. They should be able to wear down UT’s defense and control the game. Cats will win and the streak will end. Then again, my heart has been broken before.

What a fantastic weekend here in Kentucky Tailgating land. Locke, Cobb, Maxwell and company got the job done down in Athens. Here are some articles from the weekend talking about the great win and looking forard to UT.

• The great Larry Vaught has some interesting stats from the game.
• Rob Gidel talks about how important special teams play was in this win.
• Chip Cosby gives his take on the sunning second half come back.
• The rare victory is discussed by Bret Dawson.
• Check out Paul Jordan’s nice recap of the game as well.

This weekend UT comes to the frozen tundra of Commonwealth as early rpedictions are calling for frigid temps. Don’t worry, the tailgating will warm things up prior to the game.

(AP Photo/John Amis)

What an incredible night! First the Basketball team looked impressive in dismantling a dangerous Rider team. Then The Cardiac put together another impressive second half to come from behind and win in Athens for the first time since 1977.

What more can be said about this team and their heart. In years past, UK would fold. Not this team. They refuse to give up and seem to always get the big play when they need it.

This Saturday is a HUGE game for this team and program. UK has not beaten Tennessee since Moses walked the deserts of the Middle East. This game is for 2nd place in the SEC east and is the play in game for the Outback bowl! It will be senior day and we all need to arrive at the game early to honor these young men for doing something no other team in UK history has done, gone to four straight bowls!

Details for the tailgating will come early this week. With this being the final home game and one that will have huge implications for both teams. For me personally, this is the game I want the most. Growing up in Tennessee and now living in Knoxville, you cannot imagine what I hear from my friends. A few will be at the tailgate this year, so feel free to give them a hard time. They are good sports.

Today is the big battle with the University of Georgia Bulldogs down in Athens Georgia. This is a ver important game for both teams, if the Bulldogs win, they will finish 2nd in the SEC East behind the hated Florida Tebows. However, if the Cats win it sets up a chance lock the SEC East next week against UT. The cats may be without Randall Cobb because his availability is a game time decision due to a bruised shoulder. Georgia will be without their start wide Receiver AJ Green, so both teams will be looking for others to step up on the offensive end.

Georgia will also be with UGA, their famous mascot as he passed unexpectedly this past week. That is a sad day for them and their program.

Also, UK is about to tip off against Rider in Rupp. A game I was supposed to be at, but work got in the way. Can someone buy me a winning lottery ticket?Lets hope the cats give us a daily double today!

The great John Clay has reported that the Kentucky faithful ranks as the 3rd nicest fans in all of the SEC behind Vandy and Ole Miss according to a Sports Illustrated fan poll. First off, we all know that we are the best fans and we are the nicest. Look, I have spent a lot of time around many tailgates this year and all have been very welcoming to me and fans of opposing teams. I have gone to some other stadiums, including Vandy (do they tailgate there?) and have not experienced the hospitality of the Bluegrass.  We won’t mention the Vol’s tailgates.

If you doubt me on this, come see us at the corner of Cooper and Sportcenter outside Commonwealth stadium. We have a great time and you will too!

November 28th is the last game of the season and will be our last Kentucky Tailgating experience of the year. Next week we will have more details of the goings on around around Commonwealth Stadium. Everyone plan on coming early and having a lot of fun. With this being a night game, we should be able to end the year with a BANG!

The Cats take on Georgia this Saturday for a very important SEC game. UGA will be without their top offensive threat in AJ Greene, but the Cats’ Randall Cobb is listed as questionable and will be a game time decision. If UK pull off the win at UGA, the wildcats improve their bowl standing with a chance at going to Atlanta. We need the win first.