Rivalry Renewed.

Last week I spent some time thinking about the UK-Indiana "rivalry." For most of my lifetime the annual matchup between Kentucky and Indiana has been largely one-sided in the Cats' favor. To be honest, the game barely made it into my top-10 games I look forward to list. The Louisville game is always number one, followed by North Carolina. This year, the Kansas game at Madison Square Garden was number three. The six conference games against Florida, Vanderbilt, Alabama, and Mississippi State rounded out my top-nine. Then at number 10, the UK vs. Indiana game at Assembly Hall. Before the game, I thought the Cats were at least 12 points better. I thought that Kentucky had a better chance of winning by 20 than it did of losing this game. I guess I underestimated the effect the Assembly Hall crowd would have on the young Cats. I underestimated the passion and fire Indiana would play with. Add the Hoosiers' ridiculous three-point shooting and Kentucky's poor free-throw shooting and foul trouble, and you have all of the ingredients of a HUGE upset. On a neutral court, I still believe the Cats are 10-12 points better. At Rupp, there's no way Indiana keeps it within 15 points. But last night in Bloomington, Indiana was clearly the better team. They deserved to win. Obviously it wasn't the preferred outcome, but that was one hell of a college basketball game.

Before last night's game I had no problem with the fact that future scheduling issues may result in the annual UK-IU game being removed from the schedule. But after last night's game, the rivalry that was alive and well in the '70s and '80s, has been renewed. I want a rematch in Rupp in 2012.

No. More. Favre.

No More Favre...Hopefully.



On Monday, January 17, 2011, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre submitted his retirement papers to the NFL...for the third time in three years. Will this FINALLY be the last we see of Brett Favre? One can only hope. Everyone has an opinion on Favre...the way he played this season, his off-the-field issues, and his legacy. I'm so sick of this guy I don't feel like talking about any of it. I am excited for a Favre-less football season. Say it with me, "No more Favre! No More Favre!"

Sadly, Favre retiring doesn't mean we won't be hearing about the guy every week. Until the Packers win the Super Bowl with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback football analysts and experts will continue to talk about Favre and his legacy, and Rodgers will remain in the legend's shadow. Well, Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews, and Greg Jennings took care of that last night, as the Packers knocked off the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. I was shocked but thankful there was little Favre talk during and immediately following the Super Bowl. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers now has his first Super Bowl victory. He also won his first Super Bowl MVP. At 27-years-old, Rodgers has the same number of rings and one more Super Bowl MVP award than this predecessor. And Rodgers put on one of the best performances in a Super Bowl by a quarterback that I can remember. He threw for over 300 yards, completing 24 of 39 passes. He had at least six on-target passes that were dropped by his receivers, which could've put him over the 400-yard mark. Rodgers' quarterback rating of 111.5 was more than 30 points better than the Steelers' Ben Worthlessberger. He made the plays he needed to make, while making it look easy. Aaron Rodgers was great.

So with Favre out of the league and Rodgers finally out of the "Packers-Brett Favre" shadow, there should be few reasons to mention Favre next season. Unless CBS, Fox, or ESPN decide to torture viewers by convincing Brett to be on TV, next year should be the first Favre-less season in what seems like an eternity - and I can't wait.

But with Brett Favre can we really be sure he's not going to change his mind? What are the odds that Brett Favre decides to come back? I don't know, but I'm thinking there's little to no chance he plays in the NFL next year. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

Dude, what's up with the blog?

Honestly, I don't really know what's up with the blog. I started this thing last fall for several reasons. First, I wanted to find a way, other than Facebook, to express my thoughts and opinions. I watch sports and read about sports. So why not write about sports? And I'm sure the anti-sports friends of mine (if there are any) on Facebook appreciate me not blowing up their news feeds with rants about Brett Favre or the NCAA on a regular basis. Secondly, you never know where something like this could lead. Do I think this blog will lead to a job in Bristol? Of course not. That's foolish. But that doesn't mean this blog will never amount to anything. If it does, great. If it doesn't, that's fine too. And lastly, and most importantly, I thought it would be fun. And it is. But it is also more work than I ever thought it would be. I work full-time. I try to spend alot of time with my wife & dog, and my friends & family. Then take into account the time I spend eating and sleeping, and there isn't much time left.

Going forward, I plan on trying to focus more of my free time on the blog. I hope to post several times a week. Daily posts would be awesome, but that's probably not a realistic option. So we'll see what happens...