Petrino, Cards prep for Rivalry Week

The Louisville Cardinals started Rivalry Week preparations Sunday afternoon as they looked forward to Saturday's test at Kentucky.

Petrino has had an exemplary record against the Wildcats, winning every game in the series until last season's upset loss. This season, both teams enter the game with 7-4 records, but oddsmakers believe Louisville is the better team.

"When you win it it makes life a lot easier," Petrino said Monday. "That's the thing about rivalries. You want bragging rights and you want to be able to use it in recruiting."

Despite being the top two powers in Kentucky, Louisville and Kentucky don't often compete for recruits. But Louisville's 14-9 dominance in the modern series has made it easier to keep the top stars in the metro area in town over the years.

One local star, Louisville senior Reggie Bonnafon, admitted his household was split growing up with his father preferring UK and the rest of the family liking the Cardinals.

"If you make a play in this game, everyone remembers it," Bonnafon said, noting big plays by Brian Brohm, Michael Bush and DeVante Parker in years past.

Meanwhile in Lexington, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said Louisville is still dangerous despite being 7-4.

“They’re still a very good football team," Stoops said. "Really, when you have a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback back there behind center it puts a lot of pressure on you. He’s a fantastic football player. He creates plays all over the place. He’s a dynamic guy. He does a very good job.”

Stoops said having the Louisville-Kentucky game at the end of the year has changed the dynamic surrounding the game. Kentucky has been left out of bowls a couple of seasons because they lost to Louisville in the final game.

"It’s, you know, losses are difficult in any time. So anytime you’re playing the last game of the year, sure, it’s important," Stoops said. "I think it’s big because it’s important to our players, it’s important to our fanbase and it’s a rivalry game. There’s a lot at stake. Eight wins, I don’t think it’s been done in what, 33 years? That means something to me"

Louisville and Kentucky kick off at Noon on Saturday in Kroger Field.