Louisville: A "Trapalry Game"

Something does feel a little different about the U of L game this year.

I have read plenty of commentary regarding the lack of sex appeal for '09, with reasons ranging from "it's not the opener anymore" to "no high-profile quarterbacks" to "uh, the Cards really stink". Taking a slightly longer view, certainly Bobby Petrino's departure has brought down the temperature on this face-off, which I have always looked forward to with ketchup-like anticipation ever since it was resurrected in the early 90's.

Now, there's no getting around the fact that Louisville is a rival. The online dictionary indicates that the origin of that term goes back to describing one who uses a stream (i.e. river?) in common with another. Although I don't suppose, given my present suburban existence, that I have a whole lot of concern about my neighbor's water usage-- what this does tell me is that the root of these things is proximity. I won't bore you with how many miles it is from Commonwealth to Papa John's, but I am sure ESPN will throw up a map, or maybe a cute little graph during the game broadcast which will paint it very nicely.

So the two largest state schools play each other annually now, the pads usually pop pretty good, and they give out a sweet trophy to the winner. And we all understand that they are close enough physically, and have more than enough history (across all sports), to hate each other with a righteous hate. It's often a surprising game, and it has seen more than its share of trash talk, not to mention blowouts, thunderstorms, and heroic performances.

And yet, I cannot get around the fact that this one-- this year-- doesn't quite fit under the typical rivalry/border war/backyard brawl kind of designation.

No.

From a Kentucky perspective, it has an added nuance, a different feel....for all the world....it seems like a trap game, too.

Being a much more recent sports-phrase phenomenon, all that means is there could be a tendency in any particular game for the favorite to overlook its opponent. I don't think I ever heard Keith Jackson utter the words, but clearly Louisville comes in to the Governor's Cup battle more lightly regarded than it has in quite some time. And subsequently, the Cats could find themselves in a trap.

Of course, being a UK football fan I will likely never get used to being the overdog.

But I realize that on paper Coach Brooks' team would seem to have the advantage in depth, momentum, and even the home field this season. So it is on Brooks and his staff to make sure the Big Blue comes out well-prepared and properly motivated.

Don't even THINK about top-ranked Florida visiting Lexington the following weekend. Tebow, like heaven, can wait.

Many are speculating that this might even be a must-win for Steve Kragthorpe, although I would expect U of L AD Tom Jurich to look at this season and Krag's tenure as a whole when making any personnel decisions. Suffice it to say that the Cardinals will view this contest as a great opportunity to make a statement for their coach and their program. They should be awfully hungry, and the Cards do have enough skill players to be dangerous.

Question is whether UK will respond with the proper intensity that this combination trap/rivalry game will require. I believe a legitimate, hard-nosed, thoughtful effort from the Cats should bring a victory with a margin of a couple of touchdowns. Respect the trapalry game.