We know this: After Kentucky’s 27-2 whipping of them, Louisville stinks. UK? They might not be too bad, but the SEC is going to be a bitch.

But we also know this: A ton more fans could have seen the blowout had Kentucky not been so damn stubborn. Why? Here goes.

Back in late March, ESPN came to the schools wanting to put the game in prime time, 7:30 on labor day. What could be better: A national audience for a huge rivalry that, outside of hoops, doesn’t get much pub. Louisville ate it up. Kentucky? Not so much. And the reason?

Feisty little Norfolk State.

How on earth Norfolk State could affect what would be an amazing chance pub this rivalry comes after the jump.

Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart said the setup wouldn’t work: UK’s team was too green, too inexperienced, and if they played on Monday, that would allow only four days to prepare for the next game … Saturday against Norfolk State

Oh by the way, Norfolk State competes in what used to be called Division I-AA. Kentucky plays in the best conference known to Jesus. And the game is in Lexington.

“We’re not going to play that on a Monday night and give ourselves that short turnaround on a Saturday game,” Barnhart said, somehow stiffling a laugh. “We’re going to have a young team, and we feel it’s in the best interest of our program to guard that prep time and that recovery time.”

And he never backed down. Way to fight the good fight, Tony.

The game stayed on ESPN, but moved to Sunday at 3:30, where the Wildcats beat the Cards every which way but loose. Yes, the game was still on national TV, yes, still on ESPN, but were you really watching TV mid-afternoon on a labor day Sunday? And look at the game that took the slot Barnhart gave up: UCLA’s 27-24 OT win over Tennessee will be water-cooler stuff all day Tuesday.

But UK had to rest its team for vaunted Norfolk State. So be it, and so goes a chance for the nation to watch them whip their rival. Good call, Mitch.