STILL HOPE

 At one point this season football was looking like a lost cause for Louisville, Western and the University of the Cumberlands, my three favorite teams to follow. The three had a combined record of 4-11, but since that time they have reeled off 11 wins without a defeat.

Even the University of Kentucky started the season 2-4, but has won two of their last three and have an excellent shot of getting bowl eligible with two wins in the last three games.

First there was Louisville, a loss to Florida International 24-17 and I really thought the season was over, but a win over Kentucky brightened my spirits. Then low and behold the Cardinals lost to Marshall, North Carolina and Cincinnati. I expected the losses to the Tar Heels and Bearcats, but not to Marshall.

I really thought the season was done at that point. But, the Cardinals have three wins in a row, Rutgers, Syracuse and West Virginia. I only watched the last three minutes of that game because I knew they had a 10-point lead and how could they lose that.

It seems like I must be the jinx because every time I watch Louisville, they have the lead and I sit down to enjoy a win and the other team comes back…every time. Even West Virginia scored and tried the on-side kick. Think goodness they held onto the ball and ran out the clock.

They just need one win to become bowl eligible out of the next three games. Louisville plays Pittsburgh Saturday then has to go on the road to play Connecticut (4-5) and South Florida (4-4). But, you know as well as I do, the Cardinals are not a good road team…that was until last week. I can’t imagine the Cardinals in the Big East championship hunt, but three more wins would give the Cardinals a big bowl game.

I just hope they win one more and get to a bowl period.

 WKU headed in right direction

I’ve always been a Western Kentucky fan and with my son, Joey,  going to school there now, I have kept up with them even closer. My wife (Cathy) is a graduate of WKU and we would like to go down and see one of the games before the season ends.

When Joey started there two years ago, WKU was the laughing stock of the student body and the joke of many.

After starting 0-4 many thought it was going to be another year of misery. They defeated Middle Tennessee State on the road, 36-33 and a light has come on. The Toppers have won five straight including last week’s 10-9 win over Florida International, the team Louisville lost to. WKU is right in the hunt for the Sun Belt Conference title and one game away from becoming bowl eligible. They need to pick up wins over North Texas (3-6) and Troy (2-6) and hope someone knocks off Arkansas State.

The Toppers will be on the road Saturday to play the nations number one team…LSU. That one may not be too pretty when it is all said and done.

 Still Hope!

The University of the Cumberlands has won three in a row after starting the season 2-3. With a little luck they could finish in a four-way tie for first. They are probably not going to get a bid to the playoffs even if they beat Cumberland University, but you have to be proud that they never quit.

The Patriots seemed to get their spark after beating Campbellsville on the road, 20-13. They handed Shorter a 35-10 loss and smothered Belhaven 58-0. Last week they rolled past Faulkner 62-28.

If they could only have a redo with Bethel and Union, I truly believe they would capture the Mid-South West and be headed back to the playoffs.

Regardless Coach John Bland and his staff have done another wonderful job with the Patriots and they have something to fight for on the final day of the season Saturday.