Kentucky 2018 Preview: Will the Wildcats stay middling?
Mark Stoops is under pressure, but a different kind of pressure. Kentucky Football hasn’t had a coach with a winning percentage since Blanton Collier’s seven-year period between 1954 and 1961, but Stoops has led the program to back-to-back winning seasons – the first time that has happened since Rich Brooks had four straight (2006-2009).
Now, with the coaching situation in Lexington more settled than most of his competition in the conference, Stoops is expected to step up a little. During SEC Media Days questions were asked about beating Florida – a team that it hasn’t beaten in 31 years, as well as the potential of pressing on from back-to-back 7-6 years.
OUTLOOK
There’s a lot of love for RB Benny Snell out there, who ran for 1,333 yards and 19 TDs in his sophomore year – which ranked third-best in the conference.
Snell can supply a lot of speed – and if he gets the starting job – then so can QB Terry Wilson, a dual-threat JUCO transfer. Currently, he’s battling it out with Gunnar Hoak, who is still waiting for a college debut after sitting for two years ‘learning’ the system.
Tight end CJ Conrad averaged nearly 18 yards a reception last year, and is highly thought-of in the SEC world, while wide receiver Tavin Richardson and returning senior Dorian Baker will be expected to get receptions too.
But if things don’t work out, then the team that ranked 88th out of 130 in total yards per game may get even worse.
DEFENSE
After a poor 2017 when they were in the bottom 40 of all college football defenses in yards allowed per game, things had better get better for Kentucky – especially when it looks like SEC offenses around them will improve.
Among the 8 players returning, top tackler S Mike Edwards (96 tackles) is back, and so’s the other safety in the group, Darius West. Josh Allen, who led the team in sacks (7). However, Denzil Ware – who graduated early – decided not to stay in Lexington for his final year of eligibility, but go to mighty Jacksonville State. We can’t work out that move either.
SCHEDULE
Sept. 1 Central Michigan
Sept. 8 at Florida
Sept. 15 Murray State
Sept. 22 Mississippi State
Sept. 29 South Carolina
Oct. 6 at Texas A&M
Oct. 13 OPEN DATE
Oct. 20 Vanderbilt
Oct. 27 at Missouri
Nov. 3 Georgia
Nov. 10 at Tennessee
Nov. 17 Middle Tennessee
Nov. 24 at Louisville
Before its open date on October 13th, Kentucky fans could well be irritated and Mark Stoops’ seat might be warming. While the wins over Central Michigan and Murray State may warm the heart, we think they’ll go 0-4 in the SEC against Florida, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Texas A&M. Kentucky will get itself off the mat with a win over Vanderbilt before losing to Missouri, Georgia and in a heartbreaker against Tennessee. They beat Middle Tennessee and they overcome Louisville.
PREDICTION: 5-7. Stoops seat starts warming – despite an all-important win over Louisville.