Kentucky-Louisville About More Than Pride

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Kentucky and Louisville could both use a win this weekend as they attempt to reach a bowl game at the end of the season.

Their game against each other in Louisville will matter for another reason – recruiting.

Kentucky coach Joker Phillips and Louisville coach Charlie Strong both know they need to bring in talent to their schools if they want to win at a high level. Beating its rival would be a great start for either school.

“This is a huge game for both schools,” Phillips told ESPN.com. “This is a huge rivalry game for us. You have two schools that are 80 miles apart. It’s huge for recruiting because the winner i going to be building momentum. We are selling the SEC and they are selling the Big East to all the in-state kids. There is no doubt that this is a big game.”

Quarterback Zeke Pike from the 2012 class will certainly be watching this weekend. The Edgewood, Ky., product has offers from Kentucky and Louisville to go along with schools like Alabama, Florida, LSU and Tennessee.

Pike will be in Louisville on Saturday to watch the Cardinals take on Kentucky.

“I have a good relationship with (Phillips and Strong) already,” Pike said. “UK offered first and Louisville offered me right after about a week later. I really love both head coaches because they are player’s coaches. This weekend is big.”

Kentucky already has 19 commitments for 2011. A win against Louisville would setup Kentucky to start the season 3-0. The Wildcats will play Western Kentucky and Akron following Louisville. Both are very winnable games for Kentucky.