There has been a great deal of angst in regards to the 2016 football schedule and how much more difficult it is compared to last season. I mean, yeah the Alabama Crimson Tide are on the schedule, but other than that, is it really that bad?
Let's take a look at the two and compare:
2015
vs. Louisiana-Lafayette- W 40-33
at South Carolina Gamecocks- W 26-22
vs. Florida Gators- L 14-9
vs. Missouri Tigers- W 21-13
vs. EKU- W 34-27
vs. Auburn Tigers- L 30-27
at Mississippi State Bulldogs- L 42-16
vs. Tennessee Volunteers- L 52-21
at Georgia Bulldogs- L 27-3
at Vanderbilt Commodores- L 21-17
vs. Charlotte- W 58-10
vs. Louisville Cardinals- L 38-24
2016
vs. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles
at Florida Gators
vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
at Alabama Crimson Tide
vs. Vanderbilt Commodores
vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs
at Missouri Tigers
vs. Georgia Bulldogs
at Tennessee Volunteers
vs. Austin Peay Governors
at Louisville Cardinals
If you recall, last season the fan base was worried about the first game against Louisiana-Lafayette, much like the fan base is now worried about Southern Miss. Kentucky dominated early, let the Ragin' Cajuns back in the game, and then closed it out.
That was one of three "gimme wins" on the schedule. This year those are against Southern Miss, New Mexico State, and Austin Peay. That should be three victories as long as the 'Cats don't regress from last season.
Now let's talk about the SEC. Not many people thought Kentucky was going to beat Mississippi State, Georgia, or Tennessee. In my opinion, I can't see Kentucky winning at Alabama, at Tennessee, or vs. Georgia. So that would make Kentucky 3-3. So far, not much different from last season.
The meat of the conversation resides in the middle of the pack. The Wildcats defeated South Carolina on the road and Missouri at home. Both teams look to be taking major steps back as with new coaches replacing old standards and the depth of talent is no longer there. Vanderbilt was bad last season and Kentucky let that game in Nashville slip away due to a combination of poor coaching decisions and off the field drama. The 'Cats get them back in Commonwealth.
Mississippi State is looking to take a major setback as well. Dak Prescott is gone and Dan Mullin is going to have a lot of positions that have questions. Florida is beatable, but playing them in the Swamp makes me want to put them in the "cannot win" category. But I won't because I think much of their season was smoke and mirrors.
The Las Vegas Super Book has South Carolina with the worst odds to win the SEC at 300/1. Kentucky, Vandy, Mississippi State are all 100/1 and Missouri is 80/1. If can Kentucky can beat three out of four of these teams, then it's bowling they go once again.
And I won't even get into the Louisville game. I cannot come to grips with the manner in which they have owned Kentucky recently. The Wildcats blew big leads two seasons in a row. They let the backup QB beat them two seasons in a row. It's enough to drive one insane.
So no, this season's schedule is not that much more difficult than it was in 2015. They will have the same opportunities against the same caliber teams. But in year four for Mark Stoops, it's put up or shut up time.