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Part of Mike Hartline's problem is being honest.

To be politically correct, you might say that Joker's starting quarterback, who played great against South Carolina last season when he ripped his knee, is not the peoples choice. Check out the LEX18 True Blue Fan facebook page. Has their ever been a UK football player that was so disliked? As a 5th year senior, Hartline has developed thick skin.

"Been through it all," says Hartline.

"I'm ready. Like I said back on media day, I'm still going to be here so. All that matters to me is my teammates, my coaches and my family, and I'm going to go from there."

There are times when Hartline has been his worst enemy. You aren't supposed to be honest with the media. If a teammate messes up, the quarterback is supposed to not point fingers. In the past, Hartline has done that, and has looked really bad doing it, but give him credit, he's changed even though many True Blue Fans don't see it. Or perhaps True Blue fans don't give Hartline the credit for being 2--0 against Louisville.

Then you have the two other quarterbacks who didn't win the job.

Sometimes it can't be fun facing the media.

You are Morgan Newton. You are a tough young man. You are a winner. Last season, as a freshman thrown into the fire before you are ready, you lead the Cats to 5 wins in 8 starts. You believe you should be the quarterback. You don't have the job and now you have to face the media. Not much fun.

"I don't know," says Morgan. "I worked hard. That's pretty much all I know."

"Mike's been here for a long time, he really has," says Ryan Mossakowski who will battle Newton for the backup quarterback job.

"He knows the offense well. He knows the guys. Everyone knows him. It kind of falls into place almost perfectly. And I know the coaching staff. That's the right decision."

A decision that isn't a popular choice.