By Josh Lipka

It goes without saying that one of the biggest, most emotional matches on the Cardinal schedule is against in-state rival the University of Kentucky. In many aspects, the two schools are constantly competing against each other, both on and off the field. Whether it’s building new arenas or bringing in multi-million dollar coaches, one thing is for certain: The Cards won a bowl game while the Wildcats lost a bowl game.

So how did the Cardinal football team bring home a Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Championship and the Wildcats come home with nothing but shame and their tails tucked between their legs? It’s simple: Cardinal head coach Charlie Strong is of higher caliber than Wildcat head coach Joker Phillips. The two coaches’ résumés speak for themselves. UK’s athletic director, Mitch Barnhart, thought it wise to announce Phillips, who played wide receiver for the Wildcats in the ‘80s and was the assistant coach for the Cats from 2003-2009, as head coach. But this is exactly why the Cats will remain average. Phillips was an average player, assisted a very average Wildcat program, and finished the 2010-2011 season on a losing note. This is one future not looking so bright.

Now look at Strong. He has been there and done that. He is clearly a better coach than UK’s Phillips. Strong has experience that would take Phillips years to witness. Strong has coached under three national championship coaches: University of Florida’s Urban Meyer, University of South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier and former University of Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz. Phillips couldn’t even sit at the same table with these coaches. He wouldn’t have very much to say.

Some might argue that the Wildcats beat the Cards at home in the first game of the season and that the Southeastern Conference is way tougher than the Big East. Granted, the SEC has been the strongest conference the past couple of years, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t bad teams. UK was one of those bad SEC teams and it showed when the University of Pittsburgh handed it to the Cats in Birmingham, Ala. Pitt, a Big East school, smashed the Cats in the BBVA Compass Bowl, with a final score of 27-10. Pitt was in control of the game from kickoff until the final play. UK fans will still say the Cats beat the Cards in that first game. Whatever. That was the first game for the Cards under Strong and look where he led U of L. Strong led the Cards to the first bowl championship match since three seasons ago.

If you tried to compare Phillips to Strong, the Cardinals would be favored in every category. This isn’t just me thinking this. Strong was named Big East Coach of the Year this season. What did Phillips get? That’s right, the middle of a bagel. It looks like a few recruits have seen the greatness of Strong’s regime. The Cardinals have recently signed two players from Florida – Eli Rogers and Teddy Bridgewater – who were ranked amongst ESPN’s Top 150 players in the country. I personally can’t wait for next season. After a successful 2010 season, and with expectations for a better 2011 season, it looks like the joke is on you, Joker.