by Holly Freeland
holly@louisville.com
When the Universityof Kentucky football team started their 2007 campaign with a 6-1 record, they dreamed of a big post-season bowl 
against a big-time opponent. Winning games against # 9 Louisville and # 1 LSU along the way, the sky seemed like the limit for these Wildcats. However, they finished their last 5 games going 1-4, so while their big bowl hopes were dashed, the chance to play a big time program was not. When the bowl selections were announced, Kentucky learned they would get their wish against a big time opponent in ACC powerhouse, Florida State. Although this will be the second consecutive trip to the Music City Bowl for the University of Kentucky, Big Blue Nation fans are proud to support this Wildcat team as they continue to re-write history for UK.
Looking forward at the matchup on December 31stat 4 pm down in Nashville, TN, the two schools bring vastly different histories and teams to the table. While the game sold out in minutes, and the stadium likely will be filled by fans wearing blue, Florida State boasts a tradition very few schools can. We’ve compared and contrasted the two schools to see which University may come away with their 8thvictory of the year.
MASCOT & DEFINITION:
UK: Wildcat: any of several North American felines of the genus
FSU: Seminole: a member of any of several groupings of North American Indians comprising emigrants from the Creek Confederacy territories
COLORS AND LOCATION:
UK: Blue & White Lexington, KY
FSU: Garnet & Gold, Tallahassee, FL
FAMOUS CONNECTIONS:
UK: Paul Bear Bryant (Head coach 1946-1953), Ashley Judd, Mitch McConnell, Pat Riley
FSU: Deion Sanders, Burt Reynolds, Jim Morrison & Richard Simmons
CURRENT COACH:
UK: Rich Brooks, 4thyear at UK with a 24-30 record there
FSU: Bobby Bowden, 32ndyear at FSU with a 300-86-4 record there
By The Numbers:
UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT:
UK: 20,000 students
FSU: 32,500 students
RECORD THIS SEASON:
UK: 7-5 (Upset # 9 Louisville & #1 LSU)
FSU: 7-5 (Upset # 22 Alabama& # 2 Boston College)
BOWL APPEARANCES:
UK: 11
FSU: 36
BOWL WINS AT RESPECTIVE SCHOOLS:
Rich Brooks at UK: 1
Bobby Bowden at FSU: 20, including 2 national championships
From a historical perspective, FSU has the experience, the coach and the pedigree to bring home their 21stbowl victory. However, over the last two years, the University of Kentucky’s roster has the advantage in experiencing more victories. In either case, it will be a great matchup of an historic ACC powerhouse, and a fierce newcomer from the SEC. The ‘Noles may have their tradition, but UK fans will have Nashville painted blue!
