NCAAF 2021 Kentucky Wildcats: Always Tough to Play Against August 14, 2021 Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports NCAAF 2021 Kentucky Wildcats: Always Tough to Play Against August 14, 2021 By: Mike Halterman email Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article It is hard to believe that Coach Mark Stoops has been at Kentucky for 8 years. He has made the Wildcats a team that everyone in the SEC must be ready to play. Every year when the coaching carousel begins, I expect to see him lured away from Lexington but so far he has stayed there. He has 11 starters back from a 5-6 team in 2020 and a Gator Bowl win over NC State. But, they are revamping their offense so it remains to be seen if that will pay off. Offense: Three-year starter Terry Wilson surprised everyone by transferring to New Mexico. One has to shake your head and wonder why. Three inexperienced players battled through the spring and no one stood out and cemented their hold on the job. Will Levis transferred in from Penn State and arrived this summer so throw him into the mix too. This obviously, is not a good situation. Fortunately for Kentucky, they have Chris Rodriguez Jr. to lead a solid group of running backs. He is the fourth-leading returning rusher in the SEC with 786 yards and 11 touchdowns and he missed two games due to Covid. The NFL is looking at him. They got a boost from Wan’Dale Robinson who transferred from Nebraska where he led the Huskers with 51 catches and he will join Josh Ali who returns with his 54 catches. The offensive line returns 3 starters and should be good. Defense: The defense returns DE Josh Paschall along with NG Marquan McCall and DT Octavious Oxendine to head up a good front three. Linebackers, Marquez Bembry and Jordan Wright are experienced veteran players. They could receive some help from Michigan State transfer Luke Felton. The secondary lost NFL draftee Kelvin Joseph but still has Cedrick Dort Jr. and Yusuf Corker. Because of several injuries in the spring the depth is shaky and if they suffer any more problems it might be something they can’t overcome. Non-Conference Schedule: 9/4 Louisiana Monroe 9/18 UT Chattanooga 11/20 New Mexico State 11/27 Louisville It is a very quirky schedule with the season ending with two games out of conference. These 4 games are the key to the Wildcats having a winning season and a possible bowl game. The first three games are must wins and then they wrap up the season with rival Louisville. That game will probably be for a bowl game and perhaps a winning record. Conference Schedule: 9/11 Missouri 9/25 at South Carolina 10/2 Florida 10/9 LSU 10/16 at Georgia 10/30 at Mississippi State 11/6 Tennessee 11/13 at Vanderbilt The schedule is tough but it could be much worse. The Wildcats have a chance to get off to a 2-0 start with a home game against Missouri and a trip to South Carolina but with an unproven QB, those early games will be scary. The rest of the home schedule includes a must win game against Tennessee and potential losses against Florida and LSU. They go to Georgia and that’s a loss and then they have two winnable games at Mississippi State and Vanderbilt. Summary: Kentucky is easy to summarize. Their season depends on if they find a suitable quarterback that can make enough plays to take pressure off their strong running game. If they do, they should be all right. Their non-conference schedule is weak and they need to take advantage of that plus try to win three or four games in the SEC. Predicted Finish: 4th Place in the SEC East Overall Record: 6-6
Kentucky Derby Prep Results [Louisiana Derby & Jeff Ruby Steaks] | The Magic Mike Show 536 The Magic Mike Show guys discuss what they learned from… Read More
2024 Louisiana Derby and Jeff Ruby Steaks Previews and Rapid-Fire Picks | Blinkers Off 658 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for the $1… Read More
Bayou Bluegrass Pick 5 [Fair Grounds & Turfway Park] | The Magic Mike Show 535 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Championship Series Look Ahead | Blinkers Off 657 The Racing Dudes take a look ahead at the upcoming… Read More
March Madness BRACKET Breakdown | Dudes Who Bet Sports 185 Aaron and Papa Dude give their break down of each… Read More
How Jared SCORED BIG On Louisiana Derby Day | Racing Dudes Betting Bible Update Jared reviews the recent Racing Dudes Betting Bible to explain… Read More
Florida Derby 2024 | Gulfstream Park Picks [Kentucky Derby] Aaron previews the 2024 Florida Derby (G1) from Gulfstream Park,… Read More
Arkansas Derby 2024 | Oaklawn Park Picks [Kentucky Derby] Aaron previews the 2024 Arkansas Derby (G1) from Oaklawn Park,… Read More
UAE Derby 2024 | Meydan Dubai Picks [Kentucky Derby] New York-bred Pandagate worked five-eighths in 1:03.20 Sunday in company… Read More
Gulfstream Park Oaks 2024 | Gulfstream Park Picks [Kentucky Oaks] Fiona’s Magic and Into Champagne, separated by a half-length in… Read More