Rarely has a fan base been so confused by a W as U of L’s is in the wake of last night’s come from behinder against a middle of the road CUSA squad, Southern Miss.
The growing majority of the Cardinal fans are now firmly convinced Steve Kragthorpe will never be as successful at U of L as they demand and are wondering if the improvement displayed last night will convince AD Tom Jurich to keep SK?
Against weaker opposition, the Cards did show some spunk and spark last night. It’s obvious that Adam Froman is more formidable at QB than Justin Burke. That a couple of additions on the O line have helped stabilize the offense. And that the D can show up on occasion in the red zone. At least against a team with as mundane play calling as the Golden Eagles.
So, let’s celebrate last night’s win. A W is a W. Period.
But now we come to a portion of the schedule where the rubber must meet the road. UConn is beatable this coming week in Storrs. Cincy probably isn’t the week after up I-71. If the Cards don’t beat Arky State on Halloween, here’s my advice for the Kraghtorpe’s. Empty all the candy in the cupboard for the trick or treaters, unless you want to pack it along with all the other home furnishings for a visit from Two Guys & A Truck.
I don’t see how Louisville can win in Morgantown or against South Florida. If they lose a third in a row to the ‘Cuse, shame on ‘em. By the time Rutgers comes to town, the team’s fate and Kragthorpe’s future will be sealed. Anything might happen. Including an empty stadium if late November weather stays true to form.
It looks like 5-7 is the best U of L can do, with 4-8 a real possibility.
Which means Cardinal fans will continue to play Metro Louisville’s favorite new game: Who bought the house in Oldham County? Is it a) Jon Gruden, b) Tom Tuberville, c) Jeff JagdswhatisnamewhousedtocoachBC, d) Phil Fulmer, e) Gus Malzahn or f) some unknown hotshot that TJ has his eye on?
Unless last night’s game was a harbinger of Extreme Makeover, Cardinal Edition, the cacophony of carping shall continue. I’d say have some ear plugs handy.
– Seedy K
12 Comments
How about IF U of L footballers DO win vs. South Fla. and Va. Tech? What would it take ( in wins..vs. anyone) for Kragthorpe to be safe?
One guy’s opinion: Given the fans’ conclusions already, it would take 8-4. TJ’s got tickets to sell.
…and there’s no way this team reels off 8 in a row….I believe seedy stated this in an earlier blog: it’s a double edge sword we walk cards fans, we want to see wins, but if we win it means Krags stays….if I may quote Junior Samples, “gloom, despair and agony on me”
The more important question is: How do you Bag Krag?
Listen. Steve Kragthrope is an eminently decent guy. He simply isn’t a ready for prime time coach. TJ will work something out that will be satisfactory financially and otherwise. Were I a betting guy, I’d bet SK mans up when it’s all over and admits he didn’t get it done and apologizes to U of L fans.
Tony Dungy just bought a house in the Highlands. It’s across the street from the one just purchased by Vince Lombardi’s grandson.
But Michael, Seedy….let me ask this as long as we are hypothesizing: What “IF” the Cards went on an incredible roll and they do finish 8-4, with a loss to Cincy and Ws @USF and WVU. And they go to a bowl. Why would you want to fire Kragthorpe? If he wins, we all win. I personally don’t think he can or will do it, but do we want to win or are we just out to fire someone.
Can’t speak for seedy, but I would love to see the Cards reel off 8 in a row and go bowling. But, I don’t believe Krags could continue the trend. Next year would probably include a couple of more coaches exiting, and more 2 & 3 star prospects. I’m sure of of them have talent, but when some of the teams we play have 4 & 5 star talent the result would be the same….6-6, 7-5 and is that what we want year in and year out????
If SK wins 8 this year, he will be U of L’s coach next year . . . unless the the negative animus toward him, which is now a groundswell, turns into a tsunami and people are returning ticket order forms with big XXXXs scrawled across them and without checks for tickets.
One more thing. If SK, against all odds and any sense of his abilities as revealed up to now, should turn it around at U of L, I’ll be the first to admit I am wrong. I wish him nothing but success. I just don’t see it in the cards — Cards?? — so far.
Kragthorpe winning 8 games this year? You guys are doing some serious drugs to even hypothecize such a rare neighborhood.
Krags winning 8 is a sign of the apocalypse…