Some Compelling Krag Information

Krag By The Numbers

Instead of doing a game review of whatever you call that sport played in Hartford on Saturday, we here at Inside The Cards will choose to look at The Krag a little closer than normal. What can we even say about the UCONN game anyways, did we look any different than we have for the past year and a half? No, it is unacceptable and let's face it, UofL football has been lowered to a level few of us thought we'd see ever again.

Not since the Ron Cooper era has UofL been in the dire of a situation. Want proof, allow me to show you -

Ron Cooper, 1995-1997 = 13-20

Steve Kragthorpe, 2007-present = 13-17

What does that tell you? The program hasn't seen mediocrity like this since the Cooper era, and remember the uproar at that time? Of course you do, did anybody defend Ron Cooper (exceptions to Louis Coleman & Al Sharpton after the firing) to the extent that some still defend Kragthorpe? No. If that's not enough of for you to see my point, allow me to bring this to the table -

UofL has not had back to back losing seasons since the 1996 & 1997 seasons. At this time Ron Cooper was the head coach (his next to last, and last, season's)

Want more? Let's take a look at Krag by the numbers, because when it comes to coaching it is about win's and losses.

Big East Record = 4-12

Coming Off a Loss = 7-8

Coming Off a Win = 4-8

Nationally Televised Games

On ESPN = 1-6

On ESPN2 = 3-3

Nationally Televised When We Are The Only Game On

Thursday = 3-2

Friday = 1-4

Sunday = 0-1

The proof is in the record - UofL is no longer a nationally relevent. We built a program off of playing when nobody else would play (ie. Thursday & Friday night games), the eyes of the nation were upon us, and we would look good. As you can see by the current record on nationally televised games, weeknight games, etc. we are not looking good and we are losing more than we are winning.

Next point, do we see this changing anytime soon? Let's take a look at the rest of the season and give an honest view of how we see things going -

@Cincinnati - Do we realistically see victory in this game? No chance, in fact, I'm expecting being embarrased.

Arkansas State - This is a possible victory, and I'm hopeful. Something that makes me doubtful is that Arkansas State looked pretty good against an Iowa team that would beat us by 40 (for the record, I think Iowa is overrated).

@West Virginia - WVU is in a down year, and they are still very impressive. Morgantown has never been kind to us, and this year will be no different; another blowout loss at the hands of the Mountaineers.

Syracuse - I am getting more and more nervous about this game. Being 0-2 against much worse Syracuse team's, while our team's have been much better, helps nothing. I am going to say we win, mainly for the reason that I can't wrap my mind around going 0-3 under The Krag against the Orangemen.

@South Florida - Blowout loss, now chance of victory. I am getting more and more upset typing this many losses in this article.

Rutgers - I don't see us winning this game, but again, I am hopeful the senior's can pull it out. Still will call this a loss.

I am very sad after typing that up, but honestly, it really is a best case scenario. This puts us at 2-4 for the rest of this season, assuming we can beat Syracuse (big assumption). A 4-8 season would solidify the first back to back losing seasons since Cooper, and a third declining season under The Krag. What more do you need?

The program is in dire need of rebuilding, we are not a good football team, we aren't even close to average at this point. This needs to end, and it needs to end soon.

Hey, Inside The Cards, Why Are Your Pants Off?

Oh, for no reason in particular, except for this -

AOL FanHouse caught up with Gruden at the South Florida-Louisville Cincinnati game last night and got the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach to comment on the situation. While he refused to confirm any type of interest in the job if it became available, he added a whole helluva lot of fuel to the fire by what he didn't say.


"I'm just here to support the Bulls," Gruden told the website when asked about the rumors/reports.

Boom! Outta here...

Southern Miss Game Notes

This Is Winning Football at UofL Now

For those of you lucky enough to be in attendence at Saturday's scrimmage between two intramural teams football game, you witnessed something that is hard to come by at UofL, a Division-1 football victory. 8 straight losses to Division-1 opponents, a sad state of affairs, that was ended with Ryan Payne's game winning field goal. Gone are the days of 40 point beatdowns, impressive victories, statistically unbelievable games; in their place has come happiness over beating a below average C-USA team who was starting their backup QB.

• Maybe it was just my vantage point, but the stadium didn't look like it had 37,000 people in it, as the official recording stated. I saw a lot of empty seats, and some sections were nearly a quarter of the way empty in the top of the end zone.

• The excitement level during the pregame was at a 0...The volume of the fans was as low as I've heard during the players coming out and the video they play beforehand.
  
 
• What can you say about guys like Vic Anderson & Scott Long besides how much they have given to the football program. Both of those guys have earned a spot in the hearts of Card fans everywhere, when they are healthy they are hard to beat. I wish we could have hope to get them both some postseason play again before their time's at UofL are up, but that might be a lofty goal.
  
 
• Take nothing away from Bilal Powell, his scoring run was just what we needed at exactly the right time. Here at Inside The Cards you will probably see us be critical of Powell, but when he breaks plays like that (which he has potential to do every time he touches the ball), it helps you forget the fumbles or lossed yardage.
  
 
• For God's sake, Krag, quit calling deep pass plays for Froman! That's not his game, he is good on the intermediate passes, but his accuracy is JaMarcus Russell-esque on the deep ball.
  

• Does anybody else feel like the real turnaround point of the game, for the crowd at least, was when the guy won the Punt Pass & Kick contest at halftime? This was amazing. I'm sure this guy probably has some eligibility left to play football, no way he is any worse than any current players on our roster. The field goal he made was unbelievable, far hashmark, from a solid distance out. Things like this always impress me, if for the only fact that after the pass and punt I would probably still be at the 45 yard line (on the beginning side).

• Questionable Play Call of the Game - This play call had no real effect on the outcome of the game, but it made not sense whatsoever. Why did we go for 2 to make it a six point game instead of a four point game? I understand that it doesn't really matter at all, but what is his thought process? Either way we are still trying to hold them to a field goal. Is The Krag really putting enough though into the fact that we can hold them to two field goals, and technically based off of that make it a two score game? Why go for two when it doesn't matter here, when against Utah we opted against it when it was actually a necessary decision? Too many situations like this in 3 years.
  
 
• Our defense played lights out...Johnny Patrick stepped up again and left it all on the field. He came up with some clutch tackles in crucial situations. Campa, defensive MVP, week in and week out he is the best player on that side of the ball.
  
 
• Can we have a safety lay a hit on a receiver and not be injured afterwards?
  
 
• In the section where I sat, we were all in agreement before the kickoff that led to our game-winning drive, that Southern Miss would surely not kick to Trent Guy. As the ball was in the air, happiness came over us, and Trent delivered as we had hoped he would. Trent Guy deserved to be the one responsible for a victory, not blamed for a loss. This was perfect redemption for the UK fumble.
  
 
• That being said, why is Southern Miss kicking to Trent Guy! I'm happy they did, but if us fans can see it, surely their coaching staff can see not to kick to him. A guy looking for redemption, and who is a real threat everytime he touches the ball anyways. No way UofL pulls out a victory without that return, Trent Guy is the hero for the week.
  
 
• My heart and stomach were somewhere in my throat before Ryan Payne's kick. I would be lying if I said I had faith, in fact, I was hoping we could get the guy who won the car back out there to attempt this field goal, he had nerves of steel. Payne won me over though, that guy is clutch, at least for now.

• Postgame Krag Quote of the Week -

(On whether it's been difficult for him to block out off-the-field distractions) "It's actually not real difficult for me. I think it's more difficult for my family than it is for me because I come to work every day at 6:30 and I leave here at about 10 o'clock at night. By the time I get home, I go to bed before all the newscasts come on at 11:30 or 11:20 or whatever it is, so it's a lot easier for me. It's hard for my wife too. She calls me and says 'what the heck is going on?' I say 'I don't know.' She says 'have you talked to Tom.' I say 'no, I haven't talked to Tom.' She says 'well, everybody thinks you've talked to Tom.' I say 'well, I haven't talked to Tom.' It's not easy for me and it's not easy for anybody, but I'll be at work tomorrow."

Be sure to register for the UK v. UofL basketball game tickets that we are raffling off.

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Southern Miss Preview

Southern Miss Game Preview

It's time to face facts, Cardinal fans, this season has officially gotten ugly. The team is 1-3 and we are the 2 point underdog at home to an unranked Conference USA opponent. Oh, and did somebody start some rumors about our coach? Yes, we are now that program. We aren't here to discuss that issue yet, but we will surely get there. 

Why are we a 2 point underdog you might ask?  Well, allow me to throw some stats at you to help us all understand -

UofL's Total Offense Ranking - 85th out of 120

Southern Miss's Total Offense Ranking - 28th out of 120

The playcalling against Southern Miss has to improve, this is a must-win game for the Cards. In order to pull of this "upset", we have to play to win the game. So far this season the playcalling has not showcased that need. Get the ball in the hands of your playmakers (ie. Victor Anderson, Scott Long, Trent Guy), keep the other team on their heels, all things that The Krag has failed to consistently do. If I hear one more player, or The Krag himself say after this game that we were "just a few plays away" I will shoot myself!

UofL's Total Defense Ranking - 39th out of 120

Southern Miss's Total Defense Ranking - 22nd out of 120

However, the Cards are 69th against the rush, and with a battered secondary, our pass defense will surely be put to the test as well...On a side note, is anybody else completely shocked our Total Defense ranking is this high?

UofL Sack's Allowed - 109th out of 120

Southern Miss Sack's Per Game - t-11th out of 120

No doubt this statistic will be a huge factor in the game. Southern Miss knows how to get to the QB, and it just so happens that UofL's offensive line is terrible at protecting the QB.

UofL's Penalty Average @ Home This Season - 12.0 penalties per game

UofL's Penalties For The Season - 35 penalties for 311 (77.8 ypg) yards

This statistic is enough to make me sick. We give up so much yardage on poor penalties, how is this anything but a coaching problem? Southern Miss is our 4th game of the season, and if there is no improvement shown then how can we expect to have a somewhat less embarrassing season?

For those of you out there hoping that The Krag can hold on to any remaining streaks that UofL has, here is one that we can watch for on Saturday - UofL has won 3 straight against Southern Miss. While Southern Miss holds the all-time record against that the Cards (18-8-1), we can stake claim to the previous 3. Keep us somewhat optimistic Krag, leave us with just one streak that is positive, please? Is that too much to ask?

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To anybody planning on attending the game, look for 2 somewhat goofy looking gentleman walking around in InsideTheCards.com shirts (offering us beer or free food is not required but will not be turned down), we will be taking pictures and meeting with whoever will have us. Check back with us Sunday for a full game recap as well as winners of a few contests we will be having pertaining to the best fan & the best tailgate at the game.

In case you missed it, we will be raffling off a pair of tickets to the UK v. UofL basketball game. Leave your name, phone number, and email address in our comment box to sign up.

In conclusion, I will leave you with a happier time in UofL football history - Hopefully we get back to this soon.