The UK football program has one game to prove its validity to the Big Blue Nation.

In a sport of “what ifs,” UK head coach Joker Phillips faces a weekend that holds the biggest “if” of the season.

There is rarely so much buzz surrounding the Cats. But with a fiery, young coach, a solid team and a hyped fan base, UK seems set up for a Hollywood-style tragedy.

The ultimate calamity: a loss to intrastate rival Louisville. Most Cats fans typically want one thing above all – to beat the Cards.

A UK defeat would unravel the thread Phillips and the players have sewn. The blood, the sweat and the tears would be for little in the eyes of the fans.

Louisville, on the other hand, brings forth a mediocre team, which is not expected to win the majority of its games. The matchup is unbalanced as ever, leaving the scene set for that tragic ending.

Though UK leads the overall series 13 to nine games and has taken the last three, Louisville claimed the victory in seven of the last 11 matches. Even in the Cats recent three triumphs, two of the games were decided by six points or less.

But records, statistics and momentum are out the window when it comes to a rivalry contest. Especially considering the battle for the Governor’s Cup trophy has recently been anything but one-sided.

Not to mention the criticism senior quarterback Mike Hartline will receive if he so much as throws an incomplete pass in a loss. While Phillips may not have him on a short lease, fans will be up in arms.

UK fans beware. If the Cats are unable to come away with the victory Saturday, things will come undone.