Following a Missouri’s 24-14 victory over Vanderbilt, Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel repeated Bear Bryant’s famous quote: “Every win is a great win.”
However, maybe some wins are more meaningful than others. For instance, Missouri’s win over the Commodores made Mizzou bowl-eligible for a second consecutive season.
Last week, it was Mizzou that was gunning for that key sixth win. This week, the Tigers find themselves on the other end of the equation, taking on a Kentucky Wildcats team that is seeking its sixth win and bowl eligibility for the first time since the 2010-2011 season.
“They’re a really good football team with a quarterback who’s playing very impressive,” Pinkel said of the Wildcats. “This is a big game. They all are right now.”
After years of mediocrity, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops has revitalized the program into a Southeastern Conference Eastern Division contender this season. The Wildcats jumped onto the national radar this season following a 45-38 upset of South Carolina, and later climbed into the thick of the conference race with a 5-1 record.
Kentucky sophomore quarterback Patrick Towles has thrown for over 2,000 yards this season and has re-energized what has been an unimpressive offensive team in recent history.
Pinkel emphasized the importance of the Tigers focusing on their own play and not making any assumptions about Kentucky.
“Teams that make judgments play inconsistently,” he said. “All I care about it how we play. That’s how you play your best.”
Kentucky is coming off of consecutive losses to LSU and No. 1 Mississippi State. The Wildcats have a difficult end to the season as they will face No. 9 Georgia and will travel on the road for three games, including their visit to Faurot Field this week.
“They have the rest of the season left to get their sixth win,” senior tailback Marcus Murphy said. “They’ll approach this like any other week, just like we do.”
Senior defensive end Markus Golden said the two teams are comparable in their makeup.
“Every time I’ve watched a Kentucky game this year, it looks like they’re having fun,” Golden said. “They’re a high-energy team and they play hard. They kind of remind me of us on the field.”
When the two teams hit the field this Saturday, it will be the first day of November, a key time in the landscape of college football. Pinkel referred to an old college football adage Monday: “Win in November and be remembered.”
Pinkel said the team actually marks November differently on their calendars for that very reason — this is the month that determines their entire season.
“This is where you finish,” Pinkel said. “This is where you want to be.”
