MARK MAYNARD: What a day for Kentucky faithful

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November 22, 2009

Anonymous The Daily Independent Sun Nov 22, 2009, 11:26 PM EST

The strangest sight after Kentucky’s 34-27 victory over Georgia wasn’t the scoreboard, although that was odd enough.

After all, when the Wildcats have gone between the hedges, the home fans have usually gone home smiling. Before Saturday night, Kentucky hadn’t won at Georgia since 1977 when Art Still and Co. crippled the Bulldogs 33-0.

But for me, the most surreal sight of all was when the Southeastern Conference East Division standings were updated for a graphic. And there it was: If Kentucky could somehow, some way figure out how to beat Tennessee on Saturday, it would be sitting at No. 2 in the SEC East.

Imagine that.

It’s not so much a pipedream as it has been in the past.

Give ’ol Rich Brooks some credit. He may rant and rave on the sideline, but Kentucky is in position to do something it has never done.

Of course, to finish second behind Florida in the SEC East, the Cats have to beat hated rival Tennessee — something Kentucky hasn’t done since 1984 despite several close calls in recent seasons.

That’s why Kentucky should have hope that it could happen.

Tennessee was rolling along until the gas station armed robbery incident a couple of weeks ago. That tends to knock you off your focus a bit.

The Volunteers were hammered by Ole Miss that same week but got back on track a little bit by defeating Vanderbilt on Saturday.

Saturday was arguably a perfect day for Kentucky fans. They first enjoyed the Cats basketball team take Rider for a ride in a 92-63 victory — showing they really do know how to play defense in the process — and then the football team came alive in the second half to chase the Bulldogs later that night.

How many out there gave up after the first half when Kentucky had fallen behind 20-6?

We flipped to a movie, then revisited the game in the fourth quarter — missing all of the Kentucky fireworks – but being able to witness Georgia’s self-implosion late in the game.

We should have known. The pattern for UK’s SEC three road wins — that’s right, road wins — have been the same. In all three games — Auburn, Vanderbilt and Georgia — the Cats fell behind in the first half before rallying.

No matter what happens on Saturday — and Tennessee can’t keep winning in the series forever — Kentucky has positioned itself for something better than the Music City or Liberty Bowl this bowl season.

But wouldn’t it be nice to watch UK football on New Year’s Day in Tampa or Orlando?

Then on Jan. 2, it’s Louisville vs. UK in Rupp Arena.

And you thought nothing could top this weekend.

MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.

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