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By KEITH TAYLOR, Kentucky Today
Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart reiterated this week that he would rather the Southeastern Conference compete with an eight-game league schedule than the nine-game slate the league will be utilizing starting next season.
“I was vocal about eight. I think that’s best for Kentucky,” Barnhart said. “Having said that, I’ve heard, ‘Oh, you’re afraid to play.’ No, I’m not. I just think it’s what’s best for us. I think every team had to schedule the way they needed to schedule, what was best.
“As you watch teams compete early in the season, you’re seeing teams that are taking on some injuries. You’re seeing some teams taking on some losses, and then they’re going, ‘Oh, my gosh, I’ve still got 10 games left, and nine of those could be conference games next year.’”
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Gametracker: Eastern Michigan at Kentucky, 7:30 p.m., Saturday. TV/Radio: ESPNU and UK Radio Network. Coverage: www.kentuckytoday.com
2 Responses
A 9 game conference schedule took away a Popcorn State win and added an SEC loss. Adding Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC made winning a tougher challenge for all. Kentucky may not secure another bowl bid for years to come. This move also made it harder for the SEC to secure top seeds in the football playoffs. The SEC literally is beating each other up. The Big 10 and Big 12 added a number of weaker teams which helps their chances of securing the top seeds. The ACC is waiting to get absorbed by the SEC, Big 10, and Big 12 conferences. The SEC should focus on adding North Carolina, Clemson, Florida State, and Georgia Tech.
A couple years ago a well connected school mate said – “ 5 years from now big corps will purchase selective athletic programs, schools will have to divorce themselves from the gambling and monies paid to high schoolers “. Thought he was crazy – not now.
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