2011-2012 Football Previews – SEC – Kentucky Wildcats
The Wildcats have always been more of a basketball power rather than a force to be reckoned with on the gridiron in the SEC.
SEC 2011-12 Football Previews: Kentucky Wildcats
Coach: Joker Phillips
2010 Record: 6-7
Kentucky Gambling Odds from BetOnline.com to win BCS: +5000
Kentucky Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>
Yet, former coach Rich Brooks has fielded competitive squads over the last several years; UK has been to a bowl game every year since ’06.
Former offensive co-ordinator Phillips took over after Brooks retired and Kentucky meandered to a sub-.500 season and an uninspired bowl showdown with Pittsburgh.
It doesn’t get easier in the Bluegrass State. The SEC is always a buzzsaw and Phillips loses much of his offensive talent. The Wildcats must lean on a defense that returns all its 2010 starters save one.
The fact it is also a relatively weak year in the East division is helpful; former offensive guy Phillips will have to work wonders with new personnel in order for Kentucky to pleasantly surprise.
Team Strengths
The top 11 tacklers on defense from 2010 return. Studs like LBs Danny Trevathan and Winston Guy look to be among the division’s best this season. The secondary should also improve, with all the vets back and underrated speed (starting S Mychal Bailey is a sub-4.4 guy).
Many of the skill players are gone on the other side of the ball, but a salty offensive line corps should smooth the transition. Four of the five starters are back from last year, and all current starters are upperclassmen, including new senior RT Billy Joe Murphy. Guards Stuart Hines and Larry Warford, in particular, are good ones.
Senior P Ryan Tydlacka can pin opponents deep in their end.
Team Weaknesses
Veteran starting pivot Mike Hartline is gone; the new starter, be it junior Morgan Newton or one of a couple different true freshman, will be hard-pressed to fill Hartline’s shoes. UK also loses last year’s do-everything dynamo Randall Cobb to the NFL. It’s nice having a seasoned O-line, but Kentucky could still have trouble putting points on the board. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Rich Brooks was a predictable and respected commodity in Lexington – his successor Phillips, now in his second year holding the clipboard – is still perhaps being analyzed by the powers that be.
2011-12 Kentucky Football Prediction: 7-6
Respectfully, last year was Kentucky’s first losing season since 2005. Considering the Wildcats’ recruits and football support are a notch below other SEC powers, that track record is impressive and speaks to Brooks’s coaching acumen.
We know full well that defense often gets the job done in football and this seems to be doubly true in the SEC. On that front, UK is in good shape with lots of experience coming back.
Kentucky could find its wheels spinning on offense, however; road games at LSU, South Carolina and Georgia will definitely test this.
Still, UK plays most of its games at home in 2011 and maybe they can grind enough games out for yet another bowl appearance.
This becomes infinitely more likely if the offense can find some effectiveness.
2011 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule
9/1/11 9:15 PM ET WKEN
9/10/11 12:00 PM ET CMICH
9/17/11 12:00 PM ET LOU
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET FLA
10/1/11 8:00 PM ET @LSU
10/8/11 12:00 PM ET @SOCAR
10/22/11 12:00 PM ET JACST
10/29/11 12:00 PM ET MISST
11/5/11 12:00 PM ET MISS
11/12/11 12:00 PM ET @VAN
11/19/11 12:00 PM ET @GEO
11/26/11 12:00 PM ET TENN
