Tuesday evening Cardinal news and notes

—Spread check: Kentucky by 17.

—Rocky Top Talk previews Louisville-Tennessee.

—Saturday’s a rivalry game, so Lorenzo Ward says you have to throw away the records.

“I think it’s all about pride,” interim head coach Lorenzo Ward said. ”I think you can take records and throw them away. Traditionally, when two teams in the same state go against each other, it becomes a pride deal, and it’s something that you get to brag for 364 days a year if you win.”

Despite the 2-9 record, the Cardinals have had success in the series, winning six of the last seven contests. The only win for the Wildcats during that stretch was a 41-38 win at Cardinal Stadium in 2016.

”I think anytime you play a rival, the guys on the other side are going to play harder, Ward said. “It’s about pride, so you can throw the records out. Regardless of how a season’s gone, it’s still the same as if we were undefeated.”

While the Cardinals have had a disappointing season, the Wildcats, led by a tenacious defense and running back Benny Snell, have an opportunity to win their ninth game of the season, a first since 1977.

”I think we have to play well in all phases,” Ward said. “Turnovers are always a big key to the ballgame. If we get turnovers, then you give your offense more opportunities to put points on the board. We can also get turnovers and score ourselves, so it’ll be crucial for us to get turnovers in this ballgame because they’re really, really good on defense.”

—Saturday’s a rivalry game, so Mark Stoops says you have to throw away the records.

On if there’s anything he does to keep his team mentally focused: “In a rivalry game you can throw the records out the window. We’re worried about ourselves and playing the best football we can. Just finishing — like I said, I felt like our team played with a sense of urgency this past week that we’re striving for. I really liked the way we got out of the gates and started fast and really played with a great sense of urgency. We’re looking to do the same thing here this week. It’s about us and the way we play. We know what they’re capable of and how Louisville can play. They’ve shown signs of that this year.”

On keeping the emotions in check this past week and then doing that in a rivalry game on Saturday: “We need to make sure we do that. It is easy to think about that with the seniors. It was hard for me. But as I told them last week, I didn’t really want to address it because I had my eyes on this week and finishing out. That was very important to me because if I did stop -- they were teasing me and said ‘coach, you’re going to get all sappy and cry on us’ or whatever. I had to play it off because if I really thought about it I could. Those guys mean that much to me. They are a special group, but I really didn’t want to get swept up with it last week knowing we had a big week here this week. It is a lot going on with Thanksgiving, and we do appreciate these seniors and Josh (Paschal) coming back and playing. A lot of good things happened. But we just have to focus on being disciplined and doing the things that have put us in the position to be successful this year.”

—The U of L women’s soccer program has signed three prospects from the class of 2019.

—One of the coolest Freedom Hall moments of my life.

Here’s hoping for some similar Louisville-Tennessee magic tomorrow.

—GoCards.com recaps the final day of competition at the IU Invitational.

—The Cards are off to New York.

—I wrote about James Wiseman picking Memphis over Kentucky and how it validates the Tigers’ decision to swap Tubby Smith for Penny Hardaway.

—Wiseman began the day as the No. 1 prospect in the class of 2019, but made his announcement as the No. 2 prospect. That’s because superstar Anthony Edwards announced his reclassification on Tuesday, making him the No. 1 player in the class. Edwards is considered a heavy Florida State lean at the moment.

—Updated CFP odds:

Team 11/12/18 Current Odds (11/19/18)

Alabama 5/13 2/5

Clemson 9/2 7/2

Michigan 13/2 13/2

Notre Dame 13/2 7/1

Georgia 18/1 18/1

Oklahoma 28/1 20/1

Ohio State 20/1 40/1

Washington State 150/1 125/1

Central Florida 150/1 150/1

West Virginia 60/1 500/1

—Lorenzo Ward says Josh Allen reminds him of former No. 1 pick Jadaveon Clowney, a player Ward coached when he was at South Carolina.

—Last game of the season and you’re playing a rival. Gotta throw the records out.

Guys are gonna treat this one like a bowl game imo.

—Football Scoop takes a look at the contingency plan Purdue is putting together if it can’t convince Jeff Brohm to stay.

—Vegas expects Lamar Jackson to keep running wild for the Ravens.

Check out these current prop bets:

Lamar Jackson total rushing attempts in Week 12 vs. Raiders

Over 19.5 (-125)

Under 19.5 (-105)

Lamar Jackson total rushing yards in Week 12 vs. Raiders

Over 85.5 (-115)

Under 85.5 (-115)

Will Lamar Jackson record 100 or more rushing yards in Week 12 vs. Raiders?

Yes +150

No -200

Lamar Jackson total rushing yards during 2018 regular season

Over 650.5 (-115)

Under 650.5 (-115)

—We all know Asia Durr can play, but she can also sing and dance.

—The Lexington Herald-Leader ranks the 25 best boys basketball layers in the state of Kentucky for the 2018-19 season. Cardinal signee David Johnson is No. 2.

—Former Ballard High standout Corey Douglas threw down last night.

—In a stunning new development, it turns out Lamar Jackson is more fun than Joe Flacco.

—After a 3-0 start, Scotty Davenport and the Bellarmine Knights are No. 1 in both major Division-II polls.

—As has become a trend, NC State broke multiple school records in its win over Louisville last weekend.

—Forget Sixth Man of the Year, Trez is making an All-Star push.

—The CJ’s Danielle Lerner lists three keys for Louisville against Tennessee.

—The Japan Times profiles new U of L women’s basketball signee Norika Konno.

—Almost as impressive as Teddy’s mock UC cheer.

—Boise State provided a first half punch, but ultimately visiting Louisville was too much for the Broncos on Monday.

—Eastern Michigan tied an NCAA record by only scoring four points in the first half of a game against Rutgers last night. It’s a record the Eagles themselves helped set five years ago.

—I didn’t know this was a trackable stat, but I like it.

—Athlon’s college football writers all like Kentucky over Louisville, but it’s a rivalry game, so you have to throw out the records.

—And finally, beat Tennessee.