At least 99% of the coaches in America can't stand sports call in shows. That open forum to criticize drives them crazy. On my call in show in Lexington, 'Cutler and Cross', we were taking predictions the day before UK handled Maryland when Mike Major called to get his two cents in. UK's outstanding defensive co-ordinate believes call in shows are fun and its a good way for fans to express themselves. Major predicted a UK win 92-67. His logic ? "A Wildcat can beat a turtle any day."

Major spent some time sizing up the Outback Bowl. "I got that film in from Penn St. The projector fell on the floor, they are so big. The video is heavy boy. They are really well coached. They play smash mouth football. We'll just have to go out and smash them back. That's Big Ten football. We're going to have to put our own little Wildcats in and see what happens. Hey, we're not backing down from anybody ! Our kids, everyone of them is ready to play."

When is the last time you heard a coach actually give a prediction on his game ? Without missing a beat, Major believes, "I think it will be a great contest. I think the Wildcats will win. Hal (Mumme) told me we can get the ball up and down the field. I will say Kentucky thirty something and Penn St. twenty something points. We're going to make some plays. They are going to make some plays. It's going to be a heck of a game."

C.M. Newton remains on cloud 9 about UK, not just going to a bowl, but the Outback Bowl. "I'm still kind of grinning. I'm as happy as I've been since the birth of my grandchildren. I'd say my children, but that was too long ago, I can't remember. I thought we could be bowl eligible this year, but we've gone way past that this year."

UK's athletics director wants to make sure everyone surrounding the football program has a good time in Florida. "People need to understand that a bowl game is a reward for a season. This is one of the reasons I am not in favor of a playoff. No team playing in our level of bowl is playing for a national championship. In basketball you go in a 64 team field. You are playing for a national championship. We want to make it a great experience for the players. Let them have fun, and then at the appropriate time get serious about winning the game." With that in mind, the players will be able to spend time on the beach, relax and be with their families.

CM Newton is as respected as any athletics director in America. I wanted to know what he would change about college sports, if he had the power. "The one thing I would change is to get some realism as to what we are dealing with in college sports. We have such a paradox with the business side and the fun side. If we could somehow get the media and general public to recognize that we are not a pro franchise. Yes, we are a big business, but we are still part of education. We are dealing with teenagers. Don't hold them to the spotlight like Mark McGwire or Michael Jordan."

"It's a double edge sword. You want your program to have status and you want your kids to get publicity. But, gosh, let's treat them like college kids. They are going to make mistakes. It doesn't deserve to be on the front page of the paper. Put it in the sports page. It's happening everywhere. They are not pro's. Someday, some will be pro's."

Sean Woods had his jersey taken down from the rafters at Rupp. When my buddy, WLEX-TV sports anchor Ryan Lemond called to get a reaction, the former slick UK point guard was very angry that not only was it taken down, but a story was being done.

CM Newton feels bad about what he did, but believes he had no choice. "We broke tradition by putting those four youngsters (Woods, Farmer, Pelphrey, Feldhaus) jerseys up there. When we lost to Duke (in the NCAA tournament in 1992), that was a statement that we were back. There were four seniors who put a stamp on this program. But, if you look at the four of them individual ability, their jersey does not belong up there. Woods is not the caliber of a Ralph Beard or a Cotton Nash. But, collectively, they have meant as much to the program as anyone else. So, I took bit the bullet and took the abuse."

"But I told them after the fact that you all must earn your degree. I will absolutely take your jersey down. They were told that in no uncertain terms. We had to prod old Richie a little bit. Sean led me to believe that he was taking care of business. I was told a couple of years ago he graduated. I told Sean it was going to embarrass you and embarrass me. But, I promise you that I will take that sucker down if you don't get that degree. He didn't live up to his end of the bargain. If that is wrong, someone is going to have to convince me of that. I'll put the thing back up when he does what he is supposed to do."

Poor Tim Couch, he can't move without someone asking him.....are you staying or going to the NFL. For most of the season, his teammates left him alone. Even that has changed. Gary Davis, a terrific backup wide out feels for Kentucky's greatest player. "More and more players are saying things. He'll say shut up, just joking around."

Davis can see the pressure building. "Yeah, it's getting there. I'd like for his sake to say something sometime soon because I'm sure it's got to get annoying after a while."

Davis' suggestion ? "Tim should get a tattoo on his forehead which says, leave me alone."

Perhaps Jack Fligg, UK's assistant athletics director who helps out with football and has grown very close with Mumme said it best about Couch, "We're fortunate he's pass our way." Fligg, whose spent 45 years in athletics, most as a coach, believes that "Couch is the best college quarterback I've ever seen."

Fligg also wants UK fans to understand what a great ambassador Couch has been. "It's remarkable how well Tim handles the public and the media."

Recently before Tim and I did an interview, I teased him about his experiences with the media. I told Couch he's handled himself so well that he has the experience of a vice-president in a big public relations firm. Tim smiled and nodded his head.

With everyone pulling for his time, Couch hasn't had time to stop and smell the roses. "I've thought about it. It's not really hit me, that we are actually going to a New Years day bowl and lots of stuffs happening. But, I think during the break when I'm home with my family and get away from it and just hear the people in the community talking about it, it's really going to hit me."

Hey Tim..........thanks !!!!