Is the Liberty Bowl really a good choice for the Cats?
I’ll probably delve into this as column fodder over the weekend, but my initial reaction to Chip Cosby’s report in today’s Herald-Leader that it appears that Kentucky is headed for the Liberty Bowl instead of a third straight trip to the Music City Bowl is a bit puzzling.
Here’s why:
1. The Liberty Bowl opponent is the Conference-USA winner. That means either Tulsa or East Carolina, the two who will tangle in the C-USA title game. Please suppress your yawns. Tulsa lost to Arkansas, one of the two SEC teams UK was able to beat. After a hot start, East Carolina cooled off considerably. If the Cats beat either team, most of grid nation will issue a dismissive so-what. If the Cats lose, let the ridicule run wild. Compare that to an ACC foe in the Music City Bowl, which could easily be either Virginia Tech or Boston College. The better the competition the better the buzz, win or lose.
2. Memphis is a longer trip than Nashville. Memphis is a good seven-hour drive from Lexington. True, for the loyal Kentucky fans in Western Kentucky it’s not nearly as long. But for those good fans, it’s just a hop, skip and a jump to LP Field. True, I know people who said they wouldn’t go back to Nashville for a third straight Music City Bowl. Been there, done that. But in these tough economic times, it will be interesting to see how much of Big Blue Nation will follow the Cats to Memphis to see a 6-6 team play a C-USA team.
3. Liberty Bowl Stadium is not LP Field. There is a reason that when the NFL’s Houston Oilers re-located from Texas they settled on Nashville instead of Memphis as their new home.
4. It’s a bad date. Supposedly one of UK’s arguments for the Liberty Bowl is better TV coverage. There’s not as much television competition on Jan. 2, the day of the Liberty Bowl, as there is on Dec. 31, the day of the Music City Bowl. The Music City competes with the Sun Bowl on CBS and the Insight.com Bowl on the NFL Network. The Liberty Bowl is sandwiched between the Cotton Bowl and the Sugar Bowl. But to me, there is something inviting about New Year’s Eve and bowl games. In a perfect world, there would be no bowls after Jan. 1. Just the NFL. And college hoops.
Not that UK should care, but can’t think Vandy is too happy. Both teams finished 6-6. Vandy had a better SEC record, 3-5 compared to 2-6. Plus, the Commodores beat the Cats. In Lexington. Yet now looks Vanderbilt will have to stay home in Nashville for its first bowl game ini 26 years while UK is going to Memphis.
I can see why Rich Brooks doesn’t want a third straight Music City Bowl. I’m sure in the coach’s mind it would be a letdown, that it gives the impression the program hasn’t progressed. But I thought UK’s goal was to get to a better bowl? Is the Liberty Bowl a better bowl?
John Clay is a sports columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Central Kentucky and graduate of UK, he covered UK football for 13 seasons before being promoted to columnist in 2000. He lives in Lexington with his wife and two sons. You can e-mail him at jclay@herald-leader.com.
John,
I am driving home to SE KY for Christmas from NJ and I can tell you there is NO way I would go to Memphis (6 hours, 10 minutes from Stearns). I was among the blue-clad faithful 2 years ago at LP Field when the Cats played clemson and we had a blast. I would definitely consider returning to Nashville to see us play a reputable opponent, despite the woes of the offense, and most recently, the defense. Hopefully with a month to practice and get healthy the team can finish strong and we can build on something for next year.
But it’s not about you John Clay nor is it about me ot anyone else except the players and coaches that got them there. They want to go somewhere different besides Nashville. Noone can blame them for that. As far as the opponent and date, the opponent is lower profile and that is a valid point. The date doesn’t matter. That is just your opinion but whether it’s new years day, eve, or the day after, I don’t think the players care. I do agree however Vandy kind of gets the shaft but hey it it’s been 25 years since you last went, beggers can’t be choosers. Lets ask UT, Mich, Aub, and Ark if they will trade places and go .
I want that seventh win and the winning record to accompany the third consecutive bowl trip!!!! I will go the Memphis!!! I will watch the cat’s WIN!!! I enjoy the idea of somewhere different for the bowl game and do think it is the best choice for this team. We have three bowls in a row, I want the three winnings seasons in a row!!! LIBERTY!!! AND A WIN!!! GO BIG BLUE!!!!
Well first, Memphis is a six hour drive from Lexington, not seven. I would be very exited to go to Memphis if I could. I have another commitment and simply can’t go this year. I think the UK fans would relish a different experience, and Memphis is, well, fun. Lots of great eats and great party places in Mississippi’s largest city. I can only imagine when the ducks come down to the lobby at the Peabody. They will be walking straight into a blue fog. Wish I could go.
Kentucky has not really proven that they “deserve” a bowl game this year. They seemed to demolish after the stomping at Florida. Indeed the last two games were very lame attempts. Without an offense and minus a quarterback, what causes folks to think the Cats can do well in a bowl game?
Hey John,
I know the Cats had a boatload of injuries down the stretch. How many of the lame will be okayed to play by the first of January. I know Cobb is out, but what about the others? Would we have a fuller compliment of players by bowl game? That would be factor at where I land on this issue. Kentucky is clearly not the team they were the past two years. They have taken a step backwards in this Rich Brooks era, and will have a difficult time putting points on the board regardless of they play.
I can’t believe I live in Atlanta and can’t get tickets to Saturday’s Alabama-Florida game…can you help a former Kentuckian out?? Ha!
Bill
Does anyone really care about toilet bowls. What you have 119 Division 1 teams and 68 of these go to 34 bowls. Damn, that is 58%. Rose bowl it is. Rather listen to president Bush talk live than watch UK in a toilet bowl. UK has been a bottom feeder of the SEC since Fran was forced out. Brooks needs to retire once again and Mitch needs to pay some big bucks for a coach who has been to the Super Bowl.
This makes no sense to me. I have traveled to Knoxville two years in a row to watch the Cats and couldn’t have had more fun. Nashville is a great town to celebrate NYE. I have no interest in traveling six hours away to watch UK play Conference USA in the Liberty Bowl.
What is UK thinking?