When I posted part 1 to this magnum opus last week, I took an optimistic look at the first 6 games of the upcoming UK football season -- admittedly from a biased point of view.

However, I'm not such a blind UK fan that I run around making ridiculously boastful proclamations. Before last year's 8-5 godsend, I fully expected the Cats to have the kind of seasons they did... that is to say horrible. But there was talent on the field and a definite feeling that if this team could continue to improve, avoid the injury bug, and if the coaching staff continued to recruit quality players, a season like 06 could very well happen.

And it did.

Now fast-forward to this season: I'm fully expecting UK to continue the improvement they demonstrated last season and if they do, a hot start to the 07 campaign is quite attainable. One of the main reasons for my optimism, besides the offense, has to do with the departure of one Mike Archer (there's a great deal that can be said here but let's just say there was a reason Coach Brooks started wearing headphones when the defense took the field the latter part of the season and there was a marked improvement... save the aforementioned Louisiana-Monroe game).

With UK's new defensive staff in place, I'm hoping/praying this year's defensive unit shows the same amount of improvement the offense showed last season.

Perhaps that's where I'm doing the most wishful thinking, however...

In Part 1, I stopped after the South Carolina game (and what I think will UK's first loss). If things go the way I'm predicting, UK will be 5-1 at this point with notable wins over Louisville and Arkansas. The upcoming LSU game marks the official start of the murder's row portion of UK's 07 schedule:

10-13-07 - LSU:

The last time the Tigers came to Lexington, the aforementioned Bluegrass Miracle occurred. This also marks the spot in UK's schedule where the rest of the games are against damn good opponents, although they aren't as good as LSU, save Florida. All I can say about this game is UK is long overdue against LSU. Will this be the year UK actually wins or will it be a repeat of last year's 49-0 drubbing the Cats received in Baton Rogue? On paper, I expect the Tigers to beat UK; however, they don't play these games on paper and if the Cats can stay injury-free (up to this game anyway), I don't see why UK can't at least compete on level terms with 2nd ranked LSU.

My Prediction: UK - 21 - LSU - 35

***Aside*** At this point, those thinking the same ole, same ole with UK football is about to take place will rear their collective heads and normally they have a good reason to do so. However, this is where I think UK turns a metaphorical corner. Observe:

10-20-07 - Florida:

The big bad National Champs come to town. Do you think the Cats will be up for this game? Before I post my prediction, remember, this is one of the games ESPN's Collin Cowherd is picking as an upset with UK beating the Gators... and with Florida losing a great deal of their incredible National Championship defense, I believe him.

My Prediction: UK - 31 - Florida - 24 and the goal posts come down. ;)

10-27-07 - Mississippi State:

UK's homecoming game. I expect the Cats to start kinda flat after their "We Finally Beat Florida" victory from the previous Saturday, so this will be a little closer than people expect... At first. Coach Croom is an undeniably a great defensive coach, but I don't think they have enough to stop the Cats.

My Prediction: UK - 35 - MSU - 17

By my count, UK will enter their 11-03-07 bye week with a 7-2 record, something I think the entire Commonwealth can rally behind.

11-10-07 - Vanderbilt:

For reasons unknown to me, this game always is and will always be a close affair with Vandy pulling out the occasional victory. I don't expect this year will be any different. The Commodores have a good offense with a play-on-Sunday receiver in Earl Bennet and they are playing at home. Expect a nail-biter Cat fans, but the superior offense will prevail.

My Prediction: UK 38 - Vandy - 31

11-17-07 - Georgia:

Payback is a bitch Cat fans and I expect the field rush/goal post removal celebration after last year's Georgia win will not be soon forgotten in Athens. I also expect Coach Mark Richt to remind his team exactly what happened last year... on a near-repetitive basis the week leading up the UK game. Because of all that, I'm kinda expecting the Dawgs to take the Cats out behind the woodshed for last year's little indiscretion.

My Prediction: UK 21 - Georgia 45

11-24-07 - Tennessee:

OK folks, this is the last regular season game of the 07 campaign and during the last few years, we've played UT pretty tough, only to lose in typical UK fashion. However, like I said in Part 1, I'm expecting UK to break some of the negative streaks they've been on and I think the Vols fit quite well into that particular category. Remember, the Cats haven't beaten Tennessee since 1984. Well, enough is enough and I hope this year's team feels the same way . Look for Ainge and Woodson to be locked in mortal combat for 4 quarters with the Cats FINALLY ending their horrid losing streak against the Vols.

My Prediction: UK 35 - Tennessee 27 with goal posts coming down again and UK finishing the season with a 9-3 record!!! I wonder what kind of bowl invite a record like that will get you.

Now, I know what most of you non-blue bloods are saying: "What the hell is wrong with you? You know you are talking about UK's FOOTBALL team, right?" Yes, I know I'm not talking about UK basketball. Believe me, I do. HOWEVER, you have to turn a corner at some point don't you? Hell, even Prairie View won a game... and UK is no Prairie View.

It's not like the talent isn't on the field, especially the offensive side, to accomplish this lofty goal either... ESPECIALLY if the defense improves - if only modestly - and the injury bug is avoided (something UK doesn't have much luck with either).

Say what you will, but that's the destination I've arrived at and I'm standing behind it.

Until later, GBB.