The UK Athletics Department announced price hikes for the two cash cows and a raise for the head football coach Rich Brooks.  In the grand scheme of things I really have no problem raising the price of single game tickets and K-fund donation minimums but I take issue with the given reasons for doing so.  Even with the price increase Kentucky is still around 9-10 in the SEC as far as prices go and there is no way the fan base can demand a top tier program on a basement budget.  I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for and because of this I wouldn’t complain if the prices went up to more of the 5-7 range in the conference.  I’m not saying I would pay the money to go but I’m certain plenty of people would especially if we can right the ship on basketball (see previous posts for my thoughts on that).  The reasons given for the price increase is in my opinion a complete joke.  From the article it seems the reasoning was a better product is being provided football wise with our eight win season and also the newly announced contract extension for the head coach who previously averaged 3 wins a year needs to be paid for.  There is no way I’m buying into that reasoning off of one 8 win season that per my previous posts I’m certain were partly a fluke and is highly unlikely to repeat next year.  What happens next year if we only win 5 games do prices go down . . . I highly doubt that?  I have to see a couple 7-8 win seasons to buy into that consistency before you push a better product reason out to the public as an excuse for higher prices.  I also almost fell out of my seat when I saw Brooks got an extension.  So now if my prediction comes true next year we have an even heftier buyout on our hands to move in another direction.  On top of that if we don’t win again next year stadium attendance will plummet faster now due to higher prices.  I did read a reason that holds some truth that the coach needs an extension to help with recruiting but I really think we are jumping the gun on this thinking all the sudden we are on the verge of competing in the SEC East.  Like I said I want more consistency before I buy that excuse.  Also last time I checked no one is beating down the door of our almost geriatric coach to take him away from us.  I want to reiterate that I endorse raising prices especially for the good of the athletic program as a whole and that was talked about in what I’ve read, just don’t insult my intelligence with justifying it on a product quality basis.

Kentucky bounced back from a two game conference losing streak to defeat Tennessee today.  I don’t think Tennessee’s star player Chris Loften played due to an injured ankle but I’m not sure and someone may need to verify for me due to the fact I couldn’t see the game and was checking in off and on, on the radio coverage.  Couldn’t see the game you might ask puzzled but it was on CBS?  Well this is probably the 4 time in 2yrs this has happened that CBS decided the Houston market would be more interested in another game.  Most of the time it’s a Big 12 game so I can see the point but this time I was stuck watching Wisconsin vs. Iowa in a classic Big 10 showdown.  I presume this happened due to Wisconsin’s #2 ranking in the country and lack of ranking on both Kentucky and Tennessee (I’m sure that won’t hurt UK’s recruiting nationally at all).  Anyways this is my chance to say THANKS CBS!!!  It appears next year I’ll have to pay for the ESPN Full Court pass I’m getting frustrated to look forward to the game all weekend only to be hung out to dry when they don’t show it nationally.

I feel compelled to offer my Super Bowl pick since it is that time of year again.  This year though I find it hard to make a pick.  I can see both reasons for and against the Bears and Colts. 

First pro bears people have a stellar defense and quality special team play especially out of there return men.  But against them is the ticking time bomb from Gainesville Rex Grossman.  I felt Rex was going to be the deciding factor in the NFC Championship game and my thoughts were verified by the guys on ESPN’s NFL Countdown Show.  They had a stat that said that the Bears are 11-0 this season when Grossman throws 1 or less interceptions, they went on to add that his QB rating is around a 104.  Now for the bad when Grossman throws more than 1 interception this season the Bears are 3-3 and his QB rating is around a 21, Ouch!  So Rex goes out doesn’t do anything great but does completely melt down either and what happens the Bears win.

Now for the Colts fans you have Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, and Reggie Wayne on offense.  Also Bob Sanders return on defense has seemed to elevate the otherwise embarrassing Colts defense to a serviceable unit, sounds like a possibility for success.  The bad is you have Peyton Manning and although he finally got past the Patriots really needs this win to get people to lay off him permanently, can you say pressure anyone?  Also like a I said earlier the defense is know serviceable but how often does serviceable defense win you a super bowl.  Another factor is the Bears defense that has the tools to get Payton moving and muscle those WR’s just as the Patriots have done in years past.
Okay, okay its pick time if I’m forced to get off my current straddle positions on the fence I’ll have to go with the . . . Bears.  I mostly going with gut here the Bears showed they have a ground game to bail Rex out so he doesn’t have the chance to lose the game for them.  I think this will be a tight game with both teams being first timers and the pressure on both quarterbacks so a big special teams play could easily be the difference and if that is the case I have to side with the Bears and there return game.

Okay here is where I shamelessly solicit participation from the audience and ask you to submit your pick.  Who do you think will win and why?  Do you agree or disagree with my pick and reasoning and why?