John Clay’s Sidelines

Talk about two teams speeding in exact opposite directions.

After St. Louis swept Cincinnati on August 9-10-11 — the Brandon Phillips/whiny Cardinals near-brawl series –  taking a one-game lead in the NL Central, consensus was the veteran Cats would continue on to take the division.

Now the two teams meet this weekend in St. Louis, the final three games between the two teams. And times sure have changed. The Reds have opened an 8-game lead on the Redbirds. Since the series at Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati has gone 14-4. St. Louis is 5-13.

A look at how we got here:

Big Blue Links for Thursday:

• Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader reports on John Calipari giving fans a taste of UK flavor.
• Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader reports that Kentucky believes it can stop the spread offense.
• Chris Low of espn.com blogs that Joker Phillips is ready to take that next step.
• Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal reports that UK football team is giving Mike Hartline all the love he needs.
• Mark Maloney of the Herald-Leader reports on UK volleyball’s big comeback win over Louisville.
• Ethan Levine of the Kentucky Kernel reports on the Kentucky win in volleyball.
• Maloney also reports that Louisville’s Greg Scruggs is primed to gobble up Cats.
• C.L. Brown of the C-J reports that Louisville’s defensive line has dreams and schemes.
• After Wednesday’s practice, Mike Hartline talks about the UK receivers:

Continue reading ‘BBL: Countdown to Cats-Cards continues’

If I’m missing a game, please let me know.

Early blog poll results show that most feel Kentucky will beat Louisville by 10-13 points on Saturday.

Be sure and vote by clicking here, or going to the sidebar to the right.

Florida's new combat uniforms (Nike.com)

SEC links for Thursday:

• Travis Haney of the Charleston Post and Courier reports that South Carolina enters its opener tonight under much uncertainty.
• Patrick Magee of the Clarion-Ledger reports that Southern Miss is ready for its shot at the Gamecocks.
• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register reports on Mark Ingram’s recovery from knee surgery.
• Tommy Deas of the Tuscaloosa News reports on the new Alabama and Florida uniforms.
• Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun writes that everything changed at Florida 20 years ago.
• Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald writes that John Brantley is ready to start a new era at Florida.
• Mike Strange of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that it’s time to play some geeked football.
• Robert Holder of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes that Tennessee’s Matt Simms is eyeing his debut.
• Tim Tucker of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that there’s still no answer on A.J. Green’s status.
• Glenn Guilbeau of the Shreveport Times reports that LSU has one less Tar Heel to worry about.

Video of UK coach Joker Phillips jawing with the media after Wednesday’s practice. Team will practice Thursday, walk-through Friday, game with Louisville on Saturday.

Video by the Kentucky Kernel.

(H-L photo/Joseph Rey Au)

Big Blue Links for Wednesday:

• Dedication and technique have lifted Luke McDermott into starting spot, writes Chip Cosby of the Herald-Leader.
• McDermott is new to Kentucky’s spotlight, writes Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal.
• My column saying that Joker Phillips is demanding physical football from his Cats.
• Victoria Dunlap is soaking up a summer of sweat, reports Jennifer Smith of the Herald-Leader.
• Erin Andrews will be featured at the UK Basketball Women’s Clinic, blogs Jerry Tipton of the H-L.
• Louisville quarterback Adam Froman has plenty of options, writes Mark Maloney of the Herald-Leader.
• Jody Demling of the Courier-Journal writes that the Louisville recruiting war has been shaded blue of late.
• Predicting Governor’s Cup winner is no easy task, writes Eric Crawford of the Courier-Journal.
• Other recruits were part of the right fit for UK basketball commit Kyle Wiltjer, writes Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger.
• The 2011 recruiting class may be best ever for Calipari, blogs Eamonn Brennan of espn.com.

Continue reading ‘BBL: Links, links and more links for UK-U of L’

SEC links for Wednesday:

• With Jeremiah Masoli ruled out by the NCAA, Nathan Stanley is ready at Ole Miss, reports Rod Walker of the Clarion-Ledger.
• Ole Miss will appeal Masoli ruling, reports the NE Mississippi Daily Journal.
• Florida’s John Brantley is following legend of Tebow, legacy of his dad, writes Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.
• South Carolina has all the necessary ingredients to win the East, writes Ron Morris of The State.
• Stephen Garcia likely to start at quarterback for Gamecocks, writes Travis Haney of the Charleston Post and Courier.
• Several Gamecocks may miss Thursday night’s opener, blogs Chris Low of espn.com.
• David Climer of the Tennessean writes that Vanderbilt should study Northwestern’s playbook.
• Alabama moving on without a healthy Mark Ingram, reports Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Ole Miss regroups after Masoli a no-go’