Ashley Judd

Since today is a Saturday, I want to take the opportunity to fast forward a few weeks to discover the difference between SEC fans and those that cheer for the Big East.

On September 4th, the Kentucky Wildcats will make the seventy seven mile trek to Louisville to take on the reviled Cardinals in the annual battle for the Governor’s Cup. While these schools are geographically close that is the only similarity you will find between the two. UK is located on a sprawling 685 acre campus nestled in the heart of Kentucky’s famed bluegrass. UofL is crammed into a cement block haphazardly slung in the middle of what can only be compared to war torn Europe circa 1945. Last year UK averaged more than capacity attendance at Commonwealth Stadium while the Cardinals left nearly one quarter of the seats in the pizza box (Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium) empty. UK plays it’s games on SATURDAYS, the day upon which God intended for college football to played while UofL will play twice this season on Friday night (I guess people have to watch if it’s the only game on). UK has fans like this (see Ashley Judd) and UofL has fans like this (see wanna be ganstas). I guess the best way to articulate the difference between UK and UofL is to run through the average student’s gameday routine.

Fans from Louserville

8:00 AM
-UK fan awakes from a long night at the frat house.
-UL fan awakes from a long night stealing car stereos.

9:00 AM
-UK fan hops in the Tahoe and heads to the tailgate where the ugly girl is still an “8″.
-UL fan can’t find his flat billed Cardinals hat… “Dang dawg, Imma be late”.

9:30 AM
-UK fan is on his third bourbon drink.
-UL fan finds his flat billed hat, dons his finest cargo shorts and “Da Ville” jersey and is off to the stadium in his Honda Prelude which is, of course, tinted out.

10:00 AM
-UK fan has already discussed every SEC matchup in depth… That Alabama vs. Florida game should be a classic.
-UL fan picks up a sixer of Smirnoff Ice (he likes the taste and this game) on his way to the stadium where he will tailgate under an overpass by the train tracks.

11:00 AM
-UK fan stops by the tent where the basketball team is signing autographs and Coach Cal is shaking every hand extended to him.
-UL fan would stop by the Louisville basketball tent but they are all in court (coach included).

12:00 PM
-UK fan enjoys some BBQ fresh off of the pig that has been roasting for over a day.
-UL fan starts a fist fight over the last piece of cold Papa John’s pizza.

1:00 PM
-UK fan is on top of a car leading a C-A-T-S cheer to hundreds of coeds.
-UL fan just spotted the most attractive girl at the tailgate. She’s a solid “5″.

2:00 PM
-UK fan is feeling great and has a good feeling about today’s game.
-UL fan has spent the last hour (and three years) talking about the 2007 Orange Bowl. He doesn’t even know who they are playing.

3:00 PM
-UK fan meets up with his buddies and makes his way in the stadium. It’s packed so he allows himself extra time to stop by the bathroom and pour himself a bourbon drink.
-UL fan picks a ticket up off of the ground and cracks another Smirnoff. He has plenty of time, there will only be 22,000 at the game today.

3:30 PM- Kickoff
-UK fan is focused on the game. Don’t bother him unless it’s to celebrate.
-UL fan heard about a sale at Aeropostale, off to the mall.