xt70k649pj68 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt70k649pj68/data/mets.xml Wildcat News Company 1988 Volume 12 -- Number 35 athletic publications  English Wildcat News Company Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. The Cats' Pause UKAW University of Kentucky Men's Basketball (1988-1989) coaches Sutton, Eddie assistant coaches Casey, Dwane players Bowie, Sam NCAA investigation (1988) Roselle, David Vitale, Dick Wildcat mascot University of Kentucky Football (1988) Claiborne, Jerry Pfeifer, Mike Chenault, Chris statistics schedules recruiting Cats' Pause Combs, Oscar The Cats' Pause,  August 27, 1988 text The Cats' Pause,  August 27, 1988 1988 2012 true xt70k649pj68 section xt70k649pj68 University Archives SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS PER COPY Margaret 1. King Library - No
University of Kentucky L*lngton, Kentucky 40
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VOLUME 12 - NUMBER 35
"SPOTLIGHTING UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY AND SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE"
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 1988
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BACK TO BUSINESS AS USUAL Mike Pfeifer & Chris Chenauit
University Archives Margaret I. King Library - North University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky 40506
Duke, Alaska Shootout highlight UK's hoop slate
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Here's what Commonwealth Stadium may look like in the future after a proposed facelift
NCAA calls off interview with TCP's Oscar Combs
You can add TCPIBBB editor-publisher Oscar Combs' name to the ever-growing list of those interviewed by NCAA investigators concerning its investigation of the University of Kentucky basketball program. . .well, almost.
Combs agreed to an Aug. 3 interview with NCAA investigator Bill Saum, but Saum discontinued the session before any questioning took place because he said the NCAA does not allow interviewees to tape-record any interviews.
? For more on the NCAA investigation, please see pages 12 and 13.
Combs offered three proposals1) that the NCAA record the interview, 2) that a court stenographer take notes or 3) that a tape of the interview be placed in escrow by a third partyand after the NCAA rejected each one Combs called a press conference.
Although no questions were asked, Combs' lawyer, Andy Palmer, was later told that the NCAA wanted to discuss three topics: 1) UK alumni Bill Chupil of Columbus, Ohio, and his connection to high school star Lawrence Funderburke, 2) UK's recruitment of Funder-burke and 3) A poster/advertisement of UK recruit Sean Woods that appeared in a past issue of BBB.
Here is Combs' prepared statement from his Aug. 3 press conference:
"This morning I was notified by Bart Rogers of the law firm of Brown-Todd-Haburn that an investigator for the NCAA wished to interview me concerning the
NCAA investigation of the UK basketball program.
"I agreed to meet with Mr. Rogers and Mr. Bill Saum of the NCAA at my office for an interview at 11:00 this morning.
"When the interview began, I was informed by Mr. Saum that there would be no tape-recording of the interview, that he would take notes and later prepare a memorandum after his return to Kansas and I could then request to see a copy of the notes and make any corrections or clarifications. He then said I would not be permitted to keep a copy of his report.
"When I informed him my attorney had advised me to tape-record the session, I showed my tape recorder to Mr. Saum. He asked if the recorder was on. I replied, 'Yes,' and he promptly informed me the interview was over because the NCAA has a policy against tape-recording.
"I take this opportunity to make public my willingness and desire to cooperate fully with the NCAA and answer any questions they may direct to me, but only on the condition that the interview is fully recorded for the sake of accuracy.
"It has been our newspaper policy to tape-record all important interviews, and always when requested to do so by the interviewees.
"In light of the NCAA's criticism of the Lexington Herald-Leader for not releasing its tapes three years ago, I find it ironic and difficult to understand why the NCAA would refuse this form of accuracy.
"Again, I'm willing and eager to answer any questions the NCAA may have if it would assist in the search for truth, in this investigation, but only if it is recorded in a-pfoper way.7-'"' '- '  ' j -'i
Good news, bad news for TCP subscribers
As we prepare for yet another year of bringing you, our readers, in-depth coverage of the Kentucky Wildcats in Tlie Cats' Pause, we have some good news and some bad news.
First, the good news: This is our last monthly issue for 1988, and we will once again be printing weekly starting with the Sept. 3 issue, in which we will preview UK's football season opener against Central Michigan.
Now for the bad news: We regret to inform you that effective Oct. 1, 1988, we will be forced to raise our subscription and newsstand prices for the first time in five years.
Because postal rates have increased by 20 percent recently, and because of increases in the cost of newsprint, TCP wili cost $1.25 on the newsstand after Oct. 1. Subscription prices after that date will increase to $28.50, still a savings of $5.25 off the newsstand price.
We will honor the $25 price on subscriptions purchased before Oct. 1.
Once again we regret the increase, but we look, forward to providing you with another year of coverage of the Big Blue. &7i& (oat&' ^aaA&
OSCAR L. COMBS
CATS' PAUSE EDITOR/PUBLISHER
It's a killer schedule, but I like UK to go 5-6
Less than three weeks remain before Jerry Claiborne begins his eighth season as head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats and the future holds as much uncertainly as it did this time back in 1982.
After seven seasons of everything from an 0-10-1 season to a 9-3 mark en route to the Hall of Fame Bowl, this fall looms to be the most crucial of all.
And it comes at a time when Claiborne may be challenging the most difficult schedule of his entire coaching career. No fewer than seven bowl teams (count 'em, Indiana, Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, LSU and Georgia) dominate the 1988 schedule and the underdogs (Central Michigan, Kent State and Southern Illinois).
For even a team with solid talent and sufficient depth, this calendar would be a formidable task. Even the most optimistic followers of Kentucky football agree the cupboard of thoroughbreds is somewhat bare.
In other words, these are not the most optimistic of times. But don't try selling this package to Claiborne.
Nevertheless, it doesn't take a Heisman Trophy expert to pinpoint the losses of Mark Higgs, Kevin Dooley, Dermontii Dawson, Jerry Reese, Jeff Kremer, Dee Smith and a host of others.
This year's crop of seniors, even those of the five-year variety, have never experienced a winning Wildcat season on the gridiron. Not since the Wildcats went 9-3 and captured the Hall of Fame Bowl with an exciting come-from-behind victory over Wisconsin has UK enjoyed a winning campaign.
Oh, how bright the future appeared in the spring of 1985. That fall, UK would open by playing five consecutive games at friendly Commonwealth Stadium. A third straight winning season appeared about as sure as the hot summer days of August. In 1986, the 'Cats would face one of their more promising schedules in years, at least in terms of ability to win. The '86 card had teams like Rutgers, Kent State, Cincinnati, Southern Miss, Ole Miss and Virginia Tech sandwiched around the usual tough SEC card. UK had only a 5-5-1 mark to show for its work that fall.
As it's obvious things didn't work out those two years, last season's bitterly disappointing 5-6 record failed to make matters better, especially considering that the 1987 squad was considered a veteran unit expected to conquer great feats.
Now, Kentucky finds itself in its customary role, that of playing to avoid the cellar of the Southeastern Conference along with Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt. The Commodores, who finished with a blitz over the 'Cats last season, return this fall with a crew of redshirt freshmen ,and enthusiasm bubbles in Nashville like it did a few years ago in Lexington.
But all should not be lost in Wildcatland.
Kentucky seems to achieve its greatest success when experts expect the least. With Kentucky ranked solidly near the bpttptn of .the; SEC, you. ckri: bet' 'rhbstj op-
ponents will be taking the Wildcats lightly next month.
And although the 'Cats lack big names in their backfield, it'll be like many of the Wildcats say, they've got nowhere to go but up because no one is expecting many victories from this unit.
? ? ?
Unlike most football factories around the SEC, for which Claiborne and his staff can be grateful, there will be no great heat on the UK staff to pave a way to postseason bowl action.
It's obvious from president David Roselle's well-documented views on intercollegiate athletics that he is far more interested in Claiborne's success with the players in the classroom than the won-loss record on the football field.
That's not to say Roselle's attention won't be directed to the scoreboard a few times by Big Blue followers. If Roselle viewed football like his colleagues around the conference, Claiborne and his staff would be well-advised to order the moving vans for late November. No where else in the SEC can a staff survive four consecutive seasons without a winning team.
This fall, Kentucky could finished 4-7 and have its best on-field performance of the past four years. And if UK should somehow win five or six games, Claiborne should be elected national Coach of the Year by acclamation.
Even by Roselle's standards, though, this Kentucky team must be competitive. If the 'Cats should finish worst than 4-7 or should not be competitive in three of four games, it'll be tough for even Roselle not to feel the heat.
Actually, Claiborne could be benefitting from all the problems plaguing the UK basketball team right now. Allegations and accusations abound and the intense scruti-ty has overshadowed the football's lack of success at the stadium.
Come Sept. 3, attention will switch to Commonwealth Stadium when the 'Cats host Central Michigan.
? ? ?
A preseason prediction? Well, my guess is no better than anyone else. I've hit on the hit about as often as it's rained this summer and you know how little rain we've enjoyed.
But here goes.
The 'Cats should grind out a convincing victory over Central Michigan by something like 27-3, but you can bet Claiborne won't be showing too much with Auburn on deck.
Next up is Auburn on national television and this game is very critical for the Wildcat program. There's no way UK can upset the Tigers and since the outcome is virtually a lock, the most important thing for UK is to stay injury-free so the 'Cats will have a full stable of horses for game No. 3 and perhaps the true indicator for the rest of the season. ...
That's come on Sept. 17 in Bloom-
ington where the 'Cats will try to make it two in a row over the Hoosiers. A victory here could send the 'Cats on a positive way with Kent State waiting in the wings. I like Kentucky 14-13 in this one.
With a 2-1 mark safely tucked away, the 'Cats take on Kent State from the MidAmerican Conference. This league has been a constant pain in UK's side over the years, but not this time as the 'Cats win a convincing 35-10 victory.
Back to prime time.
Alabama is not the Alabama of old, but the Tide still has a great deal more talent and depth than does UK. The Tide is trying to adjust to second-year coach Bill Curry. Alabama will win this one although it will be closer than 'Bama faithful would like. Tide wins 17-13.
Now 3-2 on the year, Kentucky heads off to Baton Rouge for the second straight fall. Actually, LSU should be visiting Lexington this year, but with a seventh SEC game added to the schedule UK wanted to even out road trips at either 4-3 or 3^ each season rather than having five at home one year and then five on the road the next season. Thus, the 'Cats were forced to make two straight trips to Bengal land.
Oh, how many times has UK found itself flirting with success entering the LSU game, usually on a record very similiar to 3-2. And just as had UK played so well and yet come up short, the 'Cats just don't have the ammunition to upset LSU this time, losing 17-14 in yet another superb effort.
Now 3-3, Kentucky returns to Lexington for a four-week homestand against Georgia, Southern Miss, Vanderbilt and Florida.
By now, UK's casualties are beginning to mount. Georgia wins 32-10 (too much power), but the 'Cats bounce back to even their record at 4-4 with a 24-3 victory over Southern Illinois.
A year ago Vanderbilt humiliated Kentucky in Nashville. Now, it's turn-about in a year which has the Commodore fans talking post season bowl. Kentucky wins 24-10.
It's enough to cause UK president David Roselle extend Claiborne's contract a couple years and ensure him the opportunity to retire in a normal fashion.
It'll be the last bit of good news for the season though as any bowl hopes fade against the Gators, a team which traditionally has a tough time of getting up for UK. This game always comes the week following Florida's annual feud with Georgia. The Gators take no prisoners in a 27-10 war.
Kentucky has one last shot at a winning record, but the Volunteers chalk up a 31-17 victory in a game which has the ingredient of a fight at OK Corral.
There you have it, a 5-6 mark for the Wildcats, one which most experts believe is an impossibility. About the only things impossible today are trying to escape death and taxes. Football comes under neither category.
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UK athletics director Cliff Hagan has released a 31-game schedule for the 1988-89 basketball Wildcats and the card includes several great match-ups.
The 'Cats open with Duke in the Naismith Hall of Fame Classic in Springfield, Mass., and then UK travels to Anchorage, Alaska, for the Great Alaska Shootout the following weekend. ESPN will carry UK's first two games of the season. ESPN will also carry one second-round game of the Shootout as well as the championship and consolation games of the event.
Other big intersectional games on the UK slate include Notre Dame in the Big Four Classic, Syracuse on the road, Indiana at Rupp Arena and cross-state rival Louisville in Freedom Hall.
Depending on the outcome of the current NCAA investigation, this schedule could be the most serious threat to UK's streak of . consecutive non-losing seasons since UK went 13-13 back in 1974.
By the time many of you read this, some of the mysteries may beknown. School will begin at UK on Aug. 24. and by that time, the uncertainity of some players not enrolling at UK should be cleared up.
Speaking to that, one CBS-TV official told The Lexington Herald-Leader that if the NCAA should place a ban on UK telecasts it most likely wouldn't take effect until the 1989-90 season since television schedules have already been set. CBS' Mark Carlson said his views are based on previous NCAA sanctions handed down.
Rumors around the UK campus have it that the final outcome of the UK investigation by the NCAA may not be known until as late as December or January.
With that in mind, you can expect Eddie Sutton's staff to have very little success on the recruiting front during the early November signing date.
? ? ?
FIRST AND TENS . . . Former Wildcat grid star Ken Roark is now an assistant at Tennessee Wesleyan. He was in town recently at the annual meeting of the Mid-South Conference. During his stay he made his first visit to the Erv Nutter Football Complex. "It's the nicest I've ever seen," said Roark, "I couldn't believe my eyes. I'd given anything to had that facility when I was playing here." . . . Former hoop Wildcat Kyle Macy didn't find the right NBA offer so he's off to Europe for another round of basketball. Speaking of roundball, synicated sport-swriter Earl Cox is authoring a book on ex-Wildcat Rex Chapman, but we're told it won't be a Brian Bosworth tell-all-the-world type ... To our many radio listeners, our weekly Cats' Pause Sports Hotline will begin Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. on radio stations around the state. If your local station is not caring the show, give 'em a call and tell them to keep up with the 'Cats by tuning us it . . . The Kentucky-Auburn game has been moved (Continued, fin J^ge #1 If you listen to the media 'experts,' UK's football Wildcats are in for a long season
Mark Mathis, sports editor of the Bowling Green Daily News: "I think it's obvious the defense will be able to hold some people, but I think the key will be whether they're out on the field 40 to 45 minutes a game against a team like Auburn or Alabama. They're liable to get worn our pretty quick. I think the offense has got to sustain drives, even though they may not score a whole lot. The offensive line is a big question. Glenn Fbhr may spend a lot of time on his back once they get into the meat of the SEC schedule. It's good that they're starting out with Central Michigan even though they have to come back with Auburn and Indiana. They're going to have to grow up pretty quick."
On the SEC's new Prop 48 ruling, which will phase out partial qualifiers by 1991:
"I think it's a great rule. I agree with Claiborne that the rest of the country needs to adopt it in order to be a fair and equitable situation for all teams in the country. I think the SEC has enough clout to where they can get something like that pushed through by the time it rolls around for the SEC. But I think it's a great rule."
Mathis' fearless forecast: 3-8
Dave Baker, weekend sports anchor for WKYT-TV and color man for UK's football TV telecasts: "It's all going to depend on what happens in those first four games because of a lack of depth. We'll have to see how beat up everyone is after playing Auburn, Alabama and Indianaa big, physical football team to make the kind of strides they've made in the Big Ten. If the depth can hold up, they have a chance to pull off a couple upsets. But we know how teams like Auburn and Alabama can physically beat up teams, and this team just doesn't have the kind of quality depth to go down deep after physical games with those ballclubs. If those teams come out and play the kinds of games they've played in the past, it could be difficult after that. One thing people are looking at is the kicking game. Coaches talk about it all the time. Close games are won and lost by the kicking game."
On the Prop 48 ruling: "I agree with what most of the coaches are saying. If it's nationwide, it's good. College people should be thinking first and foremost about academics. It will really put the (SEC) conference schools at a disadvantage if they're under more stringent rules (than other conferences)."
Baker's fearless forecast: 4-7
Carl Nathe, sportscaster for WLEX-TV:
"Kentucky has a good shot at coming out and winning three or four of the first five ballgames. Some people say the addition of Alabama and Auburn is a dark thing, but I think the seven-game Southeastern Conference schedule is a good idea, because if you're going to be in the conference, you might as well play the other conference teams. Indiana is pivotal. If they can play well and win up there, they could be on their way to a winning season."
On Prop 48 ruling: "Somebody has to take the lead. I think it's a good, positive step for college athletics in general. Maybe the SEC will be out on a limb for a couple years, but I think the others will follow suit, because Proposition 48 is making more awareness around the country. If you're going to have it, let's make it mean something."
Nathe's fearless forecast: 6-5
Danny Brandenburg, TCP columnist and sports editor of the Winchester Sun: "I think they definitely have a shot at winn-
ing all four of the nonconference games. And with Vandy and Florida coming in here, hopefully they can pull off an upset and take one of the SEC games. In four or five of the SEC games, there's not a lot of hope or optimism."
On Prop 48 ruling: "In the long run, it will be a good move. These kids have got to have some incentive to work a little harder in high school. There will be a few deserving players along the way who will miss by a point here, or 10 points there that will get left out. But someone has to take a little initiative and set some standards. If getting totally shut out of the SEC isn't incentive, I don't know what is."
Brandenburg's fearless forecast: 5-6
Nick Nicholas, TCP associate editor:
"Kentucky could be a very good football team. . .but the schedule it's about to face is too much of an obstacle. Depth-wise, things look better in the Wildcat camp. The junior college kids definitely will help, Alfred Rawls, Alfred Jones for examples. The ability of an inexperienced offensive line to jell as the season progress will be another key, as well as if the line can avoid injuries. Defensively, Kentucky is sound. I look for Oliver Barnett to have an an All-SEC campaign. For UK's sake, the offense will have to control the ball. If not, then UK's strong defense, which probably can go two deep at most positions, will wilt. I think Jerry Claiborne will pull out all stops, but I wonder if that will help against this schedule."
On Prop 48 ruling: "What the SEC is doing is good, in the long run. Hopefully, all conferences will one day apply this rule to their recruiting guidelines. Pat Dye is going way overboard, don't you think? I do believe, however, that under Prop 48 the testsin regard to the ACT or SATshould be dropped. A higher GPA, say a 2.3, plus the current core requirements, could be considered. But the ACT and SAT are not suited for everyone."
Nicholas' fearless forecast: 4-7.
Earl Cox, Kentucky sports columnist:
"I'm the world's biggest optimist, so I'd like to say it's going to be 6-5, but if coach Claiborne wins more than three games this year, he should be Coach of the Year. The Wildcats should be able to out-man the two Mid-American teams and Southern Illinois. I'd say they have a chance to beat Indiana and Vanderbilt. I don' know if they have a chance to beat anybody else. I don't think anybody's going to tell you, except the most optimistic coach on this team, that they're going to beat one of those big six."
On Prop 48 ruling: "College is supposed to be for people who want to get a higher education, and we have a lot of people in college, most of them athletes, who don't belong in the universities. If the whole nation goes to this, fine. If the whole nation doesn't go to it, the Southeastern Conference is going to get killed."
Cox's fearless forecast: 6-5
Tom Wallace, editor of Cawood on Kentucky: "The strengths will obviously be the defense, especially the secondary and the ends. The weakness has got to be the offensive line. I don't know why, but I also have the feeling that-the (Alfred) Rawls kid is going to be a player. I feel like he's going to be a surprise."
On Prop 48 ruling: "I think Prop 48 has good intentions, but I'm not so sure that I'm 100 percent sold on it all the way. As for the SEC, I agree with coach Claiborne.' It's'un-
fair if all conferences aren't going to do it. If it's fair for one, it's fair for all. Otherwise, it should be left alone."
Wallace's fearless forecast: 4-7
Mark Sok, weekend sports anchor for WTVQ-TV: "I think once again it's going to be another sub-.500 year. We always talk about "ifs." If they can pull a big upset against Tennessee, or a Georgia, or Alabama, or someone like that, they could come out 6-5. They have to play the weak teams exceptionally well. None of this marginal stuff like we saw last year against the teams they should have beat. If all that falls in line, I can I forsee maybe 6-5, but I think it will be more on the down side of the ledger."
On Prop 48 ruling: "It's kind of a drastic measure. But as coach Claiborne said, hopefully it will send a proper message to the rest of the country. But if it doesn't, it's not a good idea. I hope it works out for the sake of the kids."
Sok's fearless forecast: 5-6
John McGill, sports columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader. "I don't think 5-6 is out of the question. I think they can have a winning season if they have some success early. I don't think it's likely, but it's more within reach than most people think. I would say if it's 5-6, people here should be satisfied with the type job they've done."
On Prop 48 ruling: "I think it's a good idea, because it establishes a tone and puts the SEC ahead of other schools. If other schools start picking up Prop 48 kids, so be it. It's an important statement to be made that most conferences aren't doing."
McGill's fearless forecast: 5-6
Alan Cutler, sports anchor WLEX-TV:
"On paper, it looks like this team won't be as good as last year. There's one particular phase of the game that's a huge question mark that everyone knows about, and that's the offensive line. Basically, the record will depend on that one area if everything else goes semi-according to plan. They've got some nice defensive players and some nice running backs. Glenn Fohr has the possibility of developing into a nice quarterback. He has the physical tools. They have certain qualities to beat some people. Kentucky is a pretty good football team, but they play in the toughest conference in the country. If they go .500, I would be absolutely ecstatic, but I don't see how they can go .500. I hope I'm wrong."
On Prop 48 ruling: "I would like to see them take Prop 48 kids, because when they get to school, some of them make it, some of them don't. I think the kids deserve an opportunity. I also think it's good for football. When you take away something they enjoy doing, I don't know how much it helps. It sounds like the Southeastern Conference is trying to be holier-than-thou."
Cutler's fearless forecast: 3-8
Tom Leach, sports director at WVLK radio: "There are three pretty sure wins. Everything else is really in doubt after that. I think this team will surprise a few people, but the schedule is so tough that they can't pull that many surprises. Having question marks along the line is a bad spot to have question marks in this conference."
On Prop 48 ruling: "I think it's good for the SEC, but as coach Claiborne pointed out, it will put the SEC at a competitive disadvantage If the Other conferences and other leagues across the te'ountry don't follow suit.
Hopefully, the NCAA will take the lead and make it a national policy."
Leach's fearless forecast: 5-6
Doug Ormay, Kentucky Network: "The schedule is just so difficult. Maybe they can have a respectable year, in the neighborhood of 4-7 or 3-8. They could play well and have a record like that. They're not a bad team. The competition is just so good."
On Prop 48 ruling: "The SEC has really done the right thing here, not only in trying to get some leadership in this part of the country, but nationwide. If everyone goes along, then it works out. If not, then it's real trouble. Then they have big problems."
Ormay's fearless forecast: 3-8
Todd Hallum, TCP columnist: "They've been 5-6 two of the last three years, and 5-5-1 the other year. Maybe they're stuck on five wins. I think they can be better. On paper, I see them being competitive every game. They'll have some mismatches possibly with great defensive lines like Alabama and Auburn, but I do think they can move the ball on just about anybody. It will take the offensive line some time to jell. I'm expecting another good year defensively from them. They were third in the SEC last year, and there is no reason why that should not continue. It will be a matter again of if can they get the big break. They cannot not afford any injuries. And they've got to win the close games this year. If they can, I'm sure they can improve on 5-6."
On prop 48 ruling: "If it's the same for everybody, then I think it would be good. Pat Dye is going to be hurt. I'm sure he isn't going to like it. I don't know if will be good or not. If it's just for the SEC, then no, I do no like it."
Hal I u m's fearless forecast: 5-6
Bill Peterson, UK beat writer for the Cincinnati Post: "They have a really good defense. The key will be if an offensive line that has only one guy coming back can at least hold the ball, if not score points, enough to keep the defense off the field and enable the defense to play with a fair amount of energy at the end of the season. Last year, people were kind of tired. I think it will be an interesting season, but I don't think there will be a lot of wins."
On Prop 48 ruling: "Around here, it won't make that much difference. I'm sure people will figure out a way to farm out guys who can't make the grades early. I think it will have an affect. It might ultimately benefit this team here. This football team has been playing above board academically a lot longer than a lot of other places. It will probably be five years before we see any effect."
Peterson's fearless forecast: 3-8
Bob Watkins, TCP columnist and syndicated state columnist: "You'll have to score a lot of points against the schedule they play. I don't think Kentucky has the offensive depth to it. Glenn Fohr hasn't proven that he can play in this league as far as I'm concerned. Because of that, the pressure is going to be on the defense, the defense will spend more time on the field, and you can't score when the defense is on the field. If they should happen to go 5-6, Jerry Claiborne should be Coach of the Year and get a new contract."
On Prop 48 ruling: "I agree with Claiborne in that if everybody's going to go to the same party, they all dance the same [Continued On Page 5] SB 6
Kentucky coach Jerry Claiborne greets media; says he's ready to kick off his seventh year at UK
[Continued From Page 4]
step. At least you can say the SEC is going to be a pioneer if everybody follows suit, which I hope they do, but there's no guarantee. I think it's a good rule, because it's past time that these kids find out that they're going to have to go to class to get to play."
Watkins' fearless forecast: 4-7
John Clay, UK beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader: "They could surprise some people, because they have eight starters back on defense. But depth is going to hurt them. It remains to be seen how much this seven game (SEC) schedule will hurt them. Nobody is expecting much out them. They could slip up on some people."
On Prop 48 ruling: "The main reason the rule was brought in was for somebody like Pat Dye at Auburn, who brought in something like 15 Prop 48 guys in two years. That's just not fair to the rest of the conference who won't do that. I think Prop 48 is a good rule. I think there should be some limits, but I am not in favor of not allowing non-qualifiers to come into school. I think there are sometimes special cases."
Clay's fearless forecast: 4-7
Brett Hait, TCP staff writer: "UK's biggest problem is that it plays in the toughest league in the country. Because of the strength of the Wildcat schedule, I just don't see them having a winning season. That's the breaks when you play in the SEC. If defense counts for anything, they should be in a lot of games this year and may even pull off a few upsets on the some of the top teams in t