Ky won 41-27 last night.

Tennessee used to dominate this series (they still have something like a 14-8 lead), but now Kentucky has turned it around.

This state has really improved in the quality of football players it's producing. I think one reason is a few years back the high school association here finally woke up and allowed some spring practice for football like a lot of other states have been doing.

We lately have been putting out better football talent then basketball in this so-called "basketball state".




<a href='http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050618/SPORTS05/506180430/1002/SPORTS' target='_blank'>http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.d...430/1002/SPORTS</a>

CardHouse Wrote:Ky won 41-27 last night.

Tennessee used to dominate this series (they still have something like a 14-8 lead), but now Kentucky has turned it around.

This state has really improved in the quality of football players it's producing. I think one reason is a few years back the high school association here finally woke up and allowed some spring practice for football like a lot of other states have been doing.

We lately have been putting out better football talent then basketball in this so-called "basketball state".




<a href='http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050618/SPORTS05/506180430/1002/SPORTS' target='_blank'>http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.d...430/1002/SPORTS</a>

Thanks for noting a reason for the improvement in high school football in Kentucky, as I've wondered what happened. I don't think the spring practice thing can be overestimated.

I live in VA Beach and neither Virginia nor North Carolina have spring football practice. The VA Beach area produces a TON of football talent but I still think it would be even better if they followed Kentucky's example.

MemTGRS Wrote:

CardHouse Wrote:Ky won 41-27 last night.

Tennessee used to dominate this series (they still have something like a 14-8 lead), but now Kentucky has turned it around.

This state has really improved in the quality of football players it's producing.&nbsp; I think one reason is a few years back the high school association here finally woke up and allowed some spring practice for football like a lot of other states have been doing.

We lately have been putting out better football talent then basketball in this so-called "basketball state".




<a href='http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050618/SPORTS05/506180430/1002/SPORTS' target='_blank'>http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.d...430/1002/SPORTS</a>

Thanks for noting a reason for the improvement in high school football in Kentucky, as I've wondered what happened. I don't think the spring practice thing can be overestimated.

I live in VA Beach and neither Virginia nor North Carolina have spring football practice. The VA Beach area produces a TON of football talent but I still think it would be even better if they followed Kentucky's example.

The other thing that really helped HS Football in Ky is the UofL-UK series at the start of the season. Before the series it was all basketball talk during the summer.

Now it is nothing but Football talk in the local media. 20 years ago a 6-5 athlete would be only playing basketball, now that same athlete is on the football field.

MemTGRS Wrote:

CardHouse Wrote:Ky won 41-27 last night.

Tennessee used to dominate this series (they still have something like a 14-8 lead), but now Kentucky has turned it around.

This state has really improved in the quality of football players it's producing.&nbsp; I think one reason is a few years back the high school association here finally woke up and allowed some spring practice for football like a lot of other states have been doing.

We lately have been putting out better football talent then basketball in this so-called "basketball state".




<a href='http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050618/SPORTS05/506180430/1002/SPORTS' target='_blank'>http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.d...430/1002/SPORTS</a>

Thanks for noting a reason for the improvement in high school football in Kentucky, as I've wondered what happened. I don't think the spring practice thing can be overestimated.

I think it can help the players psychologically also.

Now they can feel like they are football players year-round rather then taking a long hiatus from December to July.

Maize Wrote:The other thing that really helped HS Football in Ky is the UofL-UK series at the start of the season. Before the series it was all basketball talk during the summer.

Now it is nothing but Football talk in the local media. 20 years ago a 6-5 athlete would be only playing basketball, now that same athlete is on the football field.

True. You have a point with it being the opener instead of in the middle or end of the year.

Surely, UK no longer tries that worn out "we have nothing to gain" mess that so many U of State schools try to argue against playing "the other school" in the state? I mean, you two have noted how the series has elevated the profile of football in the state. In addition, if UK were to somehow upset the Cards ... they would have a national marker to start the season. Seems they (UK) have a LOT to gain with series.

MemTGRS Wrote:

Maize Wrote:The other thing that really helped HS Football in Ky is the UofL-UK series at the start of the season.&nbsp; Before the series it was all basketball talk during the summer.&nbsp;

Now it is nothing but Football talk in the local media.&nbsp; 20 years ago a 6-5 athlete would be only playing basketball, now that same athlete is on the football field.

True. You have a point with it being the opener instead of in the middle or end of the year.

Surely, UK no longer tries that worn out "we have nothing to gain" mess that so many U of State schools try to argue against playing "the other school" in the state? I mean, you two have noted how the series has elevated the profile of football in the state. In addition, if UK were to somehow upset the Cards ... they would have a national marker to start the season. Seems they (UK) have a LOT to gain with series.

No, they are still using that in many of the UK fans and administrator WANT OUT of the series. Now it is too tough of a game and they have to worry about their $EC schedule.

Others want to move it to the 3 or 4 game of the year so they could be better prepared for it :rolleyes:. Whatever, IMO this very well could be the last year you will see the Louisville-Kentucky football game.