Kentucky Wildcats 2022 Football Preview: A Hypocritical Fan's Forecast

Confession of a Hypocritical Fan

Due to its violence, I support abolishing football, as I wrote in a 2019 Google Blogger [1] post.

Huge numbers of injuries occur, and an objective of tackling other players seems counterproductive to good sportsmanship.

But I remain a big UK football fan. Yes, I confess I am a hypocrite. Now, on to the forecast.

Kentucky Wildcats Football 2022 Overview

For perhaps the first time in my memory, the national media ranks UK football better than many local UK fans, including me.

The preseason Associated Press poll has Kentucky #20 and the AFCA Coaches’ poll has the Cats at #21, as stated on ESPN [2] and other media sites.

Quarterback and running back are arguably the two highest profile positions in college football. Kentucky quarterback Will Levis and running back Chris Rodriguez are both highly regarded.

Those two are probably big reasons that the AP and Coaches’ polls rank Kentucky higher than all its opponents except Georgia. This could indicate an 11-1 record for the season.

But road games at Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee will be tough, as I think even pollsters would agree. My guess is that UK will be an underdog in at least one or two of those road games.

Longest Active Non-Conference Win Streak in the Country

The University of Kentucky football team now has the longest active non-conference winning streak in the country among Division I schools, according to ASeaofBlue.com. [3]

This speaks well for the Wildcats. It’s true that many of the nonconference wins came against mediocre teams, and that in 2020 their regular season only included SEC teams. But that winning streak includes four bowl wins. I expect Kentucky to add four games to that streak this year, five if they win a bowl game.

Game-by-Game Predictions

Kentucky’s 2022 schedule is posted on UKAthletics.com [4] and many other websites. Below is my game-by-game forecast.

Game 1: Miami University (Ohio), home, September 3, 2022; The season opener will be an easy win for UK, despite some likely opening game jitters.

Game 2: University of Florida, away, September 10, 2022; Last year, Florida had a dismal season by Florida standards. The Gators will be a much better team by the end of this season, as I see it. But fortunately for Kentucky, this game is early in the season. I expect a UK win in a close game to go 2-0.

Game 3: Youngstown State University, home, September 17, 2022; The Cats move to 3-0 on the season with an easy win.

Game 4: Northern Illinois University, home, September 24, 2022; Another easy wins puts UK 4-0.

Game 5: University of Mississippi, away, October 1, 2022; The SEC west is typically tougher than the east, and Mississippi is a quality team. The Cats will try hard, but fall short, as Kentucky goes to 4-1 on the season.

Game 6: University of South Carolina, home, October 8, 2022; The Cats bounce back to beat South Carolina to go 5-1.

Game 7: Mississippi State University, home, October 15, 2022; UK goes to 6-1 with a win over a fairly good Mississippi State team.

Game 8: University of Tennessee, away, October 29, 2022; Tennessee is one of Kentucky’s biggest rivals, and is a team that usually gives UK trouble. How Tennessee is doing at this time of year will help determine how the game goes. But my guess is that Tennessee will prevail in Knoxville to put the Cats at 6-2.

Game 9: University of Missouri, away, November 6, 2022; This will not be an easy game, but Kentucky will win to go 7-2.

Game 10: Vanderbilt University, home, November 12, 2022; The Wildcats go to 8-2 with a comfortable win over Vanderbilt.

Game 11: University of Georgia, home, November 19, 2022; Georgia is the toughest team on Kentucky’s schedule. Even with all the quality players gone from last year’s Bulldogs, Georgia has much more talent than Kentucky. By this late in the season Georgia will be back in a groove, while Kentucky will likely be suffering from depletion due to injuries. I pick Georgia to win and put UK at 8-3.

Game 12: University of Louisville, home, November 26, 2022; Kentucky won’t win easily in this game of instate rivals. But UK will prevail to finish 9-3, and earn a bowl game, maybe a good one.

Cautions About My Forecast

Forecasting football seasons isn’t easy. Surprises often occur. Furthermore, I am just a fan. I’ve never coached or played football.

But I’ve been a fan since 1973, following Kentucky football somewhat regularly via radio, television, and then in-person at most home games while I was a UK student.

Below is a photo of a shirt I bought as a UK freshman in 1976 to wear to home games while I was a student.

A team's success is affected by numerous factors. A few of these are: injuries, illnesses, and player suspensions.

Kentucky’s star running back, Chris Rodriguez, is expected to be suspended for one or a few games at the start of this 2022 season, though Coach Mark Stoops hasn’t announced anything official yet. My guess is that he’ll only miss the season opener, but I could be wrong.

Some others have forecast Rodriguez to be suspended three or four games. An article on 247Sports.com [5] discusses Stoops commenting about Rodriguez’s status. More news about this will come out as the season approaches.

Furthermore, the Southeastern Conference has several teams with more talent than Kentucky, including some with quarterbacks and running backs arguably better than Kentucky's, even excluding top-ranked Alabama.

My point is to expect surprises this season. At its best, I even think UK has a chance to go 12-0. But their chances of beating Georgia would be better if the game was played early in the season before injuries likely deplete Kentucky and Georgia has time to adjust to the players it lost from last season. At least one and maybe all three of those tough road games at Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee are likely to be losses.

But who knows what surprises await as the season unfolds?

Closing Thoughts

Fans, remember football is only a game. Whether Kentucky wins or loses matters little in the grand scheme of God’s immense universe. And, yes, I still feel that football should be abolished due to the violence and injuries that occur. But I’ll still be following Kentucky’s football team and rooting for UK to win this season. Go Big Blue!

ENDNOTES:

[1] Gibson, James Edwin; “Football and Other Violent Sports Need to Cease—But I’m a Hypocrite”; Google Blogger; August 31, 2019; webpage accessed August 28, 2022; https://oneopinionsomeviews.blogspot.com/2019/08/football-and-other-violent-sports-need.html

[2] “College Football Rankings (All FBS 2022 Preseason)”: ESPN; webpage accessed August 28, 2022; https://www.espn.com/college-football/rankings

[3] Hahn, Samuel; “How Kentucky football got the nation’s longest active non-conference winning streak”; A Sea of Blue; January 11, 2022; webpage accessed August 28, 2022; https://www.aseaofblue.com/2022/1/11/22872434/kentucky-wildcats-college-football-longest-winning-streaks

[4] “UK 2022 Football Schedule”; UKAthletics.com; webpage accessed August 28, 2022; https://ukathletics.com/sports/football/schedule/

[5] Fisher, Chris; “Mark Stoops issues statement on status of Chris Rodriguez”; 247Sports.com; August 27, 2022; webpage accessed August 28, 2022; https://247sports.com/college/kentucky/Article/chris-rodriguez-kentucky-football-mark-stoops-suspension-192179942/

The 1960s Batman Television Show: My Childhood Love for It Adapted and Endures

As a second grader, I loved the opening season of the 1960s Batman television series starring Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin.

The Batman show debuted in January 1966. It was innovative, funny, suspenseful, and entertaining.

My Favorite Television Show for a While

For a while during my childhood, Batman was my favorite television show. The series ran from January 1966 to March 1968.

Its 1966 episodes were best. I tired a bit of the show after a couple seasons, as I think many others did. Its quality seemed to decline in 1967 and 1968.

But Batman did well in the Nielsen television ratings in its early days. It aired twice a week then. Its first season both the Wednesday and Thursday episodes finished in the top 10 in the Nielsen ratings according to TVObscurities.com* and other sources.

Dad and I both enjoyed watching it. Mom disliked the show, perhaps at least partially due to the violence. She made a good point. If my memory is correct, I sometimes acted out some scenes in the show where Batman and Robin fought with criminals.

As an Adult, My Love of the Show Adapted and Endures

A complete DVD set of the series became available in 2014. I purchased a copy at some point. My set is shown in the two pictures below.

I watched every episode (all 120 of them) of the DVD set over a period of perhaps a few months, as well as the extra features that were included on the DVDs. I still loved several aspects of the show, especially the early episodes from 1966. And I liked some of the extra features too. Nostalgia probably accounts for some of the show's enduring appeal.

Rewatching the shows, I pick up on some subtleties I likely missed as a child.

I’m not much of a television watcher, certainly not a regular binge watcher. Indeed, my television is currently only hooked up to a DVD player and VCR, not to cable. But the Batman TV series is special to me. It's the only television DVD set I've bought.

The show initially aired twice a week. The first episode typically ended with the villains appearing to succeed, and at least one good guy in peril. The second episode gave the good guys the win.

As a child, my favorite villain was the Joker, but as an adult I appreciate why dad seemed to enjoy the Penguin most. Now I rank the Penguin my top bad guy on Batman too. Indeed, my two favorite episodes now are the satirical “Hissoner the Penguin” episode (first broadcast in November 1966) in which the Penguin runs for mayor, and the following episode “Dizzoner the Penguin” in which the Penguin gets his downfall.

I perhaps especially enjoyed watching those episodes with dad. The parody of politics was timely then, and remains so now.

Color Television

The Batman show probably deserves some credit for my family’s purchase of a color TV too. As I watched an episode in which a villain turned Batman’s cape pink, I wondered why the cape didn’t look pink on our screen. Then I remembered (or mom or dad reminded me) that we didn’t have a color television set. Dad commented that we might ought to get a color television set. And I think it was soon after that when dad purchased a color TV.

Subtleties That Added Much

Batman featured numerous subtleties that added a great deal for viewers.

I remember thought-provoking comments like Bruce Wayne mentioning to Dick Grayson that music was “the universal language.” Dad commented that his mom who had been a piano teacher had stated something similar (as have others over the years).

Another thought-provoking comment occurred as Bruce and Dick were using a telescope and Bruce stated that “astronomy . . . helps give us a sense of proportion. Reminds us how little we are, really.” Definitely thought-provoking. Nice.

Robin frequently would blurt out “Holy _____." There were many different words used to fill in the blank. It was funny hearing the various versions.

Also, Batman often gave Robin helpful advice about diet, fastening his seat belt, dental hygiene, etc., in an entertaining way.

Furthermore, the show attracted several big-name stars to portray villains. It was interesting learning who was going to appear and what type of criminal they would be.

In addition to famous actors as villains, other well-known persons appeared briefly in building windows during many episodes. When the Caped Crusaders scaled a wall, I wondered who they would meet looking out a window at them.

The show contained many jokes. As an adult I now appreciate some that probably slipped past me as a child. This television series operated on multiple levels to appeal to both children and adults.

Merchandise Related to the Show

An enormous amount of merchandise was marketed related to the show. I remember having a Batman t-shirt (pictured below with me wearing it, standing beside my sister). I also had a Batman & Robin Society Charter Member pin (pictured below), Batman trading cards, and comic books. Of course, the comic book preceded the television show, but I think I began reading the comic after the debut of the TV series, and I’m guessing many others did too.

I had lots of fun with the Batman cards which had pictures and a caption on the front, and puzzle pieces on the back. My Batman t-shirt was my favorite shirt.

A second grade classmate and I in 1966 discussed the huge amount of merchandise sold about the Batman television series. Even as second graders, we felt it was over commercialized.

One day at a store checkout counter with mom, there was some type of Batman-related item displayed for sale. Mom asked if I wanted one. I said no, and I wasn’t interested in that particular item, whatever it was. However, I loved the TV show and the Batman merchandise I already had.

Closing Thoughts

Batman may seem silly to many today. But I urge persons to watch (or rewatch) a few episodes from the first year of the series, in 1966. Maybe start with “Hissoner the Penguin” from November 1966. See if you appreciate what so many of us get out of the show.

The first season’s Joker, Penguin, and Riddler episodes all contain some nice insights and perspectives that even today’s audiences can appreciate, as I see it.

In Batman good always triumphed over evil in the end. Regardless of how bad it looked at times, I knew that Batman and Robin would prevail when the story ended.

I optimistically think that’s the way it will be in the real world in the end too. And I think watching the fictional Batman show with its happy endings contributed to my optimism, as does my faith in God.

ENDNOTE:

* “Batgirl and the Batman Phenomenon”; Television Obscurities; TVObscurities.com; webpage accessed August 16, 2022; https://www.tvobscurities.com/articles/batgirl/

Growing Up Without Air Conditioning

I cherish wonderful memories of childhood summer days. A small electric fan blowing on the floor, as well as a glass of ice water and/or cold lemonade and/or Kool-Aid®, often accompanied me as I enjoyed reading a good book in my bedroom.

That was before I had air conditioning in my bedroom.

I was born in 1958 and grew up without air conditioning in my bedroom. It was a few decades after I was born that air conditioning became common here in Kentucky and elsewhere in the United States.

I drank lots of ice water, lemonade, and Kool-Aid®. That, along with electric fans, kept me reasonably cool.

I’m grateful to God for all four seasons. But, as far back as I can remember, I’ve preferred summer over winter, even when I didn’t have air conditioning.

I could drink cold fluids, sit near a fan, and maybe enjoy a breeze under a shade tree. I do remember complaining to mom about the heat at times though--probably many times.

How We Coped

Screen doors allowed a breeze in while keeping flies out during daytime, as long as the wind was blowing.

Mom also let my friends and I use a small oscillating floor fan that we would sometimes put near us while my friends and I played Monopoly® and other games somewhere in my house on hot summer days during my elementary school years. I don't know how much it cooled us, and how much we just felt a placebo effect from its sound and thinking it was cooling us. But it helped.

My family also had a large, powerful Sears Roebuck window fan that, after the sun went down in the evenings, would draw in cool air through our open windows and fairly quickly cool the entire house.

Yes, we were blessed with fans and a refrigerator. Furthermore, in southeastern Kentucky where I grew up, after the sun went behind the top of the mountain, there were still perhaps a couple hours of daylight with cooler temperatures. It usually cooled down fairly quickly outside to a comfortable temperature in evenings as I recall.

We could play croquet and do other outdoor activities on those cool evenings between sundown and darkness. Meanwhile, mom would turn on that big Sears fan to cool the house. Our home thus became pretty comfortable by bedtime.

However, I sometimes played outside even in the heat of the day. If I remember correctly, there were even some hot summmer days that my friends and I rode bicycles and/or hiked on the nearby forested hillsides. Somehow we boys managed to play without overheating and to drink adequate fluids when we went inside to stay hydrated.

History of Air Conditioning

Air conditioning existed long before I was born, as noted by a U.S. Department of Energy webpage [1] about its history, and numerous other sources. That Department of Energy webpage states that air conditioning was used in 1904 at the Saint Louis World’s Fair “to cool the Missouri State Building. It marked the first time the American public was exposed to the concept of comfort cooling.”

Use of air conditioning expanded in the decades following until “By the late 1960s, most new homes had central air conditioning, and window air conditioners were more affordable than ever” according to that same Department of Energy webpage cited earlier.

In fact, sometime in the 1960s or early 1970s my dad bought a window air conditioning unit for his and mom’s bedroom, though they didn’t use it much. Dad wanted to save on the electric bill, and fans were cheaper he said. Furthermore, at night when the outside air was cool, our Sears window fan cooled the house well.

When I was in the seventh grade, we moved to a house that only had small windows that rolled out partially rather than raising or lowering, The small openings limited the amount of cool air coming into my bedroom in the evenings. I began sleeping with the oscillating fan blowing on me.

During the summer after my freshman year of high school, I caught pneumonia. The doctor stated that the fan blowing directly on me was a contributing factor, so I stopped having it blow directly on me.

And when I was a junior in high school we moved to another house that had a window air conditioning unit in the dining room.

But even there, my upstairs bedroom lacked air conditioning. Its window faced the southwest. The hot afternoon sun shined in brightly in the summer. I kept the curtains closed till the sun went down. But with a fan blowing, cold water and/or lemonade, and being engrossed in reading a good book, I coped effectively and didn’t mind. Indeed, when deeply interested in my reading, I can basically tune out a lot of stuff.

Now

This summer (2022) has been unusually hot here in Lexington, Kentucky where I live now. Numerous days have featured high temperatures in the 90s Fahrenheit, often accompanied by high humidity that produced a heat index several degrees higher.

This helps me appreciate the air conditioning in my apartment, libraries, city buses, stores, workplace, etc., and to reflect back on childhood summers when we lacked air conditioning in my bedroom. And it helps me sympathize with those who lack air conditioning or whose air conditioning unit isn’t working or whose electricity is off due to storms, flooding, etc.

Indeed, now I’m blessed with a studio efficiency apartment with a window heating-cooling unit that keeps the apartment at a comfortable temperature year round.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration [2], as of 2020 “88% of U.S. households use air conditioning.” That's a big percentage, and excluding northern areas with milder summers it is probably significantly higher.

But I still have fans for a backup. I have (1) a tiny pocket-sized, battery-powered one, (2) a small one that runs on electricity, USB, or battery, and (3) a small electric table-sized one that is pictured below that I bought at Aldi.

Several people I know say they sleep with a fan on even in winter just for the sound. I could do that, but I don’t. Fans seem to often make a nice white noise.

Ancestors

Centuries ago, not only was there a lack of air conditioning, but things like refrigerators, electric fans, and even electricity in homes didn’t exist. How did they manage?

One thing is that years ago it seems to have been common for houses to have outdoor porches, often on multiple sides of the home. They could also get cool drinks from a well or spring in some cases.

But times had to be tougher in those days. And, so far, I don’t think global warming has made temperatures that much warmer now than then in the summers.

I guess human beings just adapted and did what they had to do.

Closing Thoughts

I still like turning off the heating-cooling unit and raising the window in my apartment on nice days that aren’t too hot or too cold. I can hear the birds singing and other background noises while reading, writing, doing household chores, etc., in addition to allowing a fresh air breeze in.

We human beings are pretty good at adapting to circumstances. Even today persons in areas without air conditioning probably cope well if they’re used to it. But extreme heat in parts of Europe this year where many homes lack air conditioning due to the rarity of very hot temperatures created lots of problems. And thouands of persons in southeastern Kentucky lost electrical power recently due to flooding.

Folks, let’s seek to appreciate our blessings and to seek to stay safe, reasonably cool, and hydrated.

ENDNOTES:

[1] “History of Air Conditioning”; U.S. Department of Energy; July 20, 2015; webpage accessed August 3, 2022; https://www.energy.gov/articles/history-air-conditioning.

[2] “Nearly 90% of U.S. households used air conditioning in 2020"; U.S. Energy Information Administration; May 31, 2022; webpage accessed August 3, 2022; https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=52558