Over the past few days, we have reached out to several people and blogs to offer the opportunity to a Louisville fan to enter the hollowed halls of TGR in order to spew their nonsensical views of the team they love and the Kentucky game.  You might be asking yourself, “Why on earth would you let such sleaze taint your precious blog?” I would completely understand if you are indeed asking yourself that.  The truth is, I have no idea.  It seemed like a good idea at first, but now I am having second thoughts.  Since it’s inception, this has been a primarily UK related forum, and those few people who read it, seem to enjoy it.  Saying that, as Kentucky fans we must prove that we are bigger and better people than those who attempt to break us down or knock us from our Big Blue pedestals!  We must spread the word of ‘peace’ through the “land of hate” that most of our foes reside in!  We plan to let our opponent express their thoughts (wildly biased or not) each week right in this post.  We will also allow you cats fans the opportunity to respond to their thoughts in the highly unused comment section.

So, lets get to it.  I introduce to you, Jeff the Louisville fan! Take it away Jeffrey!

- The State Fair is over and just as I thought all of the rednecks would be headed back to the hollers, I realized that I spoke too soon; the UK fans are migrating towards the Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium this week for the game this Saturday! I was born and raised in Northern Illinois where my idea of a rivalry was between professional level teams such as the Bears vs. Cheese Heads, Cubs vs. St. Louis, and Bulls vs. Detroit.

When I moved to Kentucky in ’95 I was thrown into the infamous debate between Cats and the Cards before I even had a chance to spot my first mullet. The first week of living here I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Ryan Fertig. Within minutes of talking to Ryan, I realized how serious people were about college sports in Kentucky. Ryan who is an avid UK fan was going on about Pitino and how he has reached God status in this State all while bashing the Cardinals… I’m sure he’s regretting the Pitino God status statements now!! If you have ever had the displeasure of meeting me you know I like to disagree about any “serious” issues brought to my attention. I’m Italian, I argue… It’s what we do best.

With that being said I was a fan of both the Cards and Cats my first few years in Louisville, respectively. As most can agree, it was hard not to like the Wildcats in the mid-90s. I went on to attend college in Bowling Green Kentucky where I had the opportunity to meet some of the states “finer” fans. Bowling Green proved to be a lot different than Louisville, there I didn’t see much of an even split between Cards and Cats fans; instead you tend to see more of the latter. I like to blame that on the massive amounts of alcohol consumed on a regular basis in the small town. I also noticed that a lot of Kentucky fans hate not just the University of Louisville but the city it’s self, and I really can’t blame you for that because I to would hate the big city if my town’s biggest attraction is the local Wal-Mart!

This weekend is shaping up to be more exciting than normal for the fact that there are two new coaches and that neither one of the QB’s are NFL prospects which is leaving many questions unanswered. I must say the best part of rivalry week is the trash talking for someone like myself who loves a good ole’ argument (and winning) and for most of you Cats fans as well… Since you all seem to relate well to trash… I’m kidding (kinda). However, the bottom line is this: The game means a lot to all the sports fans in the State because it will be awarding bragging rights to the winning team (UL) until they both meet again on December 31st in the New KFC Yum Center. At which point U of L will have bragging rights till next year! With all of this being said- This game is just that A GAME and though I would love nothing more than UK taking a loss on Saturday, I want everyone to know before you go sending me death threats that 90% of my friends are Cat fans and I receive roughly thirty emails a day every time Louisville doesn’t play well… Just try to imagine what my life has been like for the past three seasons of football!

One thing you will notice during this rivalry game is that the fans from opposing sides always seem to be hanging out with one another.  When the Cards play UK in Louisville it’s more like a class reunion then the big battle the media makes it out to be.  Boyfriends are wearing UL shirts with their girlfriends in hand wearing UK gear.  This game is the biggest game for the Cards each year and that means the tailgating is at it’s prime,  if you’re a roamer and enjoying walking around from party to party I highly recommend you make your way to the back side of the stadium.  There you will find the famous train and cabooses, each cabooses is painted up Cardinal style and is stocked with a full bar.  If you get lucky and befriend any of these VIP tailgaters you may find yourself in some shade drinking an ice cold import, so try to keep the Cardinal hating down until you get that free burger and beer!

Oh yeah don’t forget that at PJCS you can buy beer and mixed drinks inside the stadium so there is no need to shotgun your Milwaukee’s Best Lights! Everyone please have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend.  Go Cards!!!!

P.S. I have never had a line beard, I don’t have tattoos, and no I don’t live in the ghetto!-

There you have it Kentucky fans, the brilliance of Cardinal fan right in your faces!  Are ya Skeered?  If you are, it is understandable.  The Wal-mart line nearly made me wet myself. Not because of it’s obvious humor, but of it’s sensitivity to me and the fact the wal-mart is my town’s only tourist attraction.  Thanks to Jeff for participating in the first ever, “The Other Side of The Lot”