2012-13 Football Previews – (SEC) – Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky has gained somewhat of a reputation in recent years for being a scrappy, hard-luck program that plays the role of spoiler for the bigger bullies in the SEC. Indeed, Kentucky often plays up to its competition and is usually only a couple upsets away from a bowl game.
SEC 2012-13 Football Previews: Auburn Tigers
2012-13 Football Previews – Southeastern Conference (SEC) – Kentucky Wildcats
SEC 2012-13 Football Previews: Kentucky Wildcats
Coach: Joker Phillips
2011 Record: 5-7
Kentucky Gambling Odds from Bovada.lv to win BCS: 500-1
Kentucky Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2012 Schedule –>
This year, the Wildcats might be lucky to earn even that distinction.
The additions of Texas A&M and Missouri to the conference makes the annual competition even more daunting. Kentucky comes by its limited successes honestly; it plays good team football and out-works teams with superior talent.
Head coach Joker Phillips has done a respectable job taking over for the legendary Rich Brooks. Now in his third season, Phillips is a career 11-14 with UK. It’s no surprise that Kentucky is a state and a program that savors basketball first; in 2012, many fans wearing the blue and white may be pining for the hoops season early and often.
With only 11 returning starters, a key element for the Wildcats’ season will be the emergence and contribution of youngsters. For instance, on the offensive line, C Matt Smith is solid and RG Larry Warford is fantastic, but the team will rely on three new starters to cut their teeth. Kentucky’s starting backfield is also comprised of underclassmen, with QB Maxwell Smith and RB Josh Clemons. There is veteran depth to alleviate the pressure – at least at the skill positions. Pivot Morgan Newton and RB CoShik Williams both have starting experience, should Smith and/or Clemons falter.
On “D”, the ’Cats must bank on a veteran defensive line and pair of safeties to hold the unit in decent shape. Senior DE Collins Ukwu and DTs Mister Cobble and Donte Rumph will lead the efforts in the run-plugging department, while safeties Mikie Benton and Martavius Neloms must shore up the deep quadrant of the field. Neloms, in particular, could wind up an all-SEC selection in 2012. Look for redshirt freshman CB Marcus Caffey to make an impact, as well as converted tight end Alvin Dupree, who should be an effective pass-rusher at the DE position. The rest of the defense must simply try to weather the storm of strong SEC opposition. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
After the graduation of longtime P Derek Tydlacka, the Wildcats bring in freshman Landon Foster. It will be interesting to see how effective he is; (a) because he was the #2-ranked punter in the nation, and (b) because Kentucky will probably be punting a fair bit.
2012-13 Kentucky Football Prediction: 4-8
Kentucky still has the ability to play teams tough, but it likely won’t be an easy year in Lexington. The ’Cats draw Arkansas from the West division, where they will travel to for an Oct. 13 match-up. UK also has road games at in-state rival Louisville, “The Swamp” versus Florida and “Rocky Top” versus Tennessee.
Phillips has been doing a decent job holding the clipboard, but the truth is that few people would envy the job of coaching an SEC bottom-feeder. With so much strong recruiting from the powerhouse programs year after year, it must be frustrating trying to find some new strategies to make headway. A coach and team can only get so much mileage from that excuse, however.
Kentucky’s young kids could surprise and the Wildcats could win a game or two that they shouldn’t. That, sadly, is probably the best scenario to hope for this season.
2012 Schedule
9/2/12 3:30 PM ET @LOU
9/8/12 7:30 PM ET KENST
9/15/12 7:00 PM ET WKEN
9/22/12 TBD @FLA
9/29/12 TBD SOCAR
10/6/12 TBD MISST
10/13/12 TBD @ARK
10/20/12 TBD GEO
10/27/12 TBD @MISOU
11/3/12 TBD VAN
11/17/12 TBD SAFRD
11/24/12 TBD @TENN
