2020 Football Preview – SEC – Wildcats
Looking for 2020 Kentucky Wildcats predictions? While Georgia and Florida top the SEC East, Kentucky battles among the division’s second-tier. Written off after an improbable 2018, last season the Wildcats finished strong claiming an 8-5 record and bowl win vs. Virginia Tech.
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2020-21 College Football Preview – Kentucky Wildcats
Head Coach: Mark Stoops
2019 Record: 8-5
Kentucky Wildcats Odds to win the 2020 FBS Championship: +10000
Kentucky Win Total Odds: 6.5
Kentucky SEC Odds: +10000
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This autumn UK returns 15 starters from 2019. However, losing standouts Lynn Bowden, Kash Daniel, Calvin Taylor and T.J. Carter creates noted roster holes.
Following QB Terry Wilson’s season-ending injury vs. Eastern Michigan, Kentucky dropped three straight behind Sawyer Smith. Desperate, Mark Stoops turned to former high school field-general Bowden. Featured in single wing formation, Bowden drove UK’s 6-2 finish while helping his program earn its fourth-straight bowl appearance.
Currently rated high on NFL draft boards, the Youngstown, Ohio native led all SEC rushers with 1,468 yards and 17 touchdowns before foregoing senior eligibility.
Defensively, Kash Daniel added 58 tackles following his breakthrough 2018. While Daniels’ senior leadership will be missed, UK’s lead sack and behind-scrimmage tackler Calvin Taylor’s loss will be immediately felt. T.J. Carter’s graduation erases essentially every key contributor from Kentucky’s memorable 2018 defense.
Yet, with seven returning starters from last winter’s #14-ranked FBS point-stopping crew, combined with experienced three-level reserves and top 25 incoming recruits, UK should again keep offenses honest.
Nose Guard Quinton Bohana’s return will further infuse Kentucky’s defense. Also expect highlight production from NFL-ready safety Yusuf Corker.
Fighting elite border programs for choice talent, Mark Stoops recently signed his top winter class. A legit Saturday SEC East hurdle, UK gains help from regarded four-star freshmen including offensive lineman Jeremy Flax and defensive tackle Justin Rogers.
With the defense, front pocket and running game covered, the Wildcats still need deep offensive threats to compete with the nation’s best schools.
2020 Kentucky Wildcats Predictions: Team Strengths: Defense, Running game
Led by veteran offensive linemen, featuring NFL prospect Landon Young, UK should again control clock using three capable rushers. With Asim Rose, Kavosiey Smoke and Chris Rodriguez bringing back 18 touchdowns and 1,975 yards, Kentucky will ground and pound.
If fully healed, QB Terry Wilson’s scrambling ability make the Wildcats dangerous from every backfield angle.
This strategy keeps a tried defensive group rested for fourth quarter stands. In SEC play, every down, especially late, is vital. Featuring solid depth at all three levels, UK should again rate among FBS’ premier ppg allowed groups.
2020 Kentucky Wildcats Predictions: Team Weaknesses: Receivers, Kicking
Otherwise solid, the lone variables holding UK from being upper-echelon are unproven receivers and shaky kicking. A couple downfield options would make Kentucky less predictable. Savvy teams can stack the line and hold the Wildcats’ rushers in check. Further, inspired opponents, especially from home, can eke wins due to UK’s unreliable place-kickers.
That stated, top returning offensive options Justin Rigg (11 rec.) and Josh Ali (23 rec.) don’t strike fear into Southeastern Conference secondaries.
And while the Wildcats are defensively sound, they still must replace three top contributors from last year’s mix. These combined shortcomings mean Kentucky will take a few narrow losses.
One such loss could come in a pivotal road game vs. Tennessee. The Vols and Wildcats are a projected tie-breaker from claiming third place in an SEC East race already dominated by national title contenders UGA and Florida.
If UK offered proven kicking -Matt Ruffalo and Chance Poore made 9 of 13 FG in 2019- I’d give the Cats eight wins.
However, they do not, so I’ll side with homestanding UT in a close game exposing Kentucky’s flaws.
2020 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule
- Sept. 5 Eastern Michigan
- Sept. 12 at Florida
- Sept. 19 Kent State
- Sept. 26 South Carolina
- Oct. 3 at Auburn
- Oct. 10 Eastern Illinois
- Oct. 17 Vanderbilt
- Oct. 24 at Missouri
- Oct. 31 OPEN DATE
- Nov. 7 at Tennessee
- Nov. 14 Mississippi State
- Nov. 21 Georgia
- Nov. 28 at Louisville
Kentucky Wildcats Prediction: 4th in the SEC East & a 7-5 record (Bet Now at any of our Reviewed Online Sportsbooks!)
While South Carolina is no pushover, expect a 3-2 UK start as Auburn and Florida frustrate the Wildcats’ early road efforts.
From there, led by rushing and defense, Kentucky will down three straight to enter UT after a bye week. This season-defining Rocky Top contest will slip by Stoops’ men late before losses to Mississippi State and UGA put UK around .500 entering final week play.
Resilient, and looking for enhanced bowl status, UK’s running game and defense will shine for a third-straight victory vs. non-conference rival UL to cap another winning season at 7-5.
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