A bigger bowl is in sight for Kentucky

The Kentucky Wildcats entered this weekend’s matchup at Florida as a two-touchdown underdog. They topped the Gators in what was (for most) stunning fashion, claiming victory by a score of 27-16.

Considering this was the first Kentucky win between the two in 31 years, the result respectfully left the question of Kentucky’s legitimacy or Florida being fraud.

The Gators were indeed missing two of their best defenders, along with a first year head coach in only his second game with the team.

However, they were also at home and had a clear talent edge over Kentucky. They had also hung 50+ on their week one opponent.

With that being said, the situation is shaping up more so in favor of the Wildcats being a legitimate football team.

So, after a bowl appearance last December, what are this year’s projections looking like?

This absolutely depends on how Kentucky finishes the season, but let’s just say that they win every game they’re “supposed to” and lose every game they’re “supposed to.”

Their remaining slate would be as follows:

• Vs. Murray State: W
• Vs. Mississippi State: L
• Vs. South Carolina: W
• @ Texas A&M: L
• Vs. Vanderbilt: W
• @ Mizzou: W
• Vs. Georgia: L
• @ Tennessee: W
• Vs. Middle Tennessee: W
• @ Louisville: W

A 9-3 record would certainly allow for a quality bowl game, with CBS Sports already predicting a matchup with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the belk Bowl. CollegeFootballNews predicts a matchup with the Texas Longhorns in the Texas Bowl.

SB Nation has predicted a UK appearance in the Music City Bowl against the N.C. State Wolfpack, along with ESPN also predicting a Music City Bowl return. ESPN had two predictions, with one being the Miami Hurricanes and the other being Georgia Tech (a rematch from the 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl).

Brad Crawford of 247 Sports predicts the Wildcats will play in the Belk Bowl against the Virginia Tech Hokies, whereas Saturday Down South has UK penciled in to take on Notre Dame there.

Sports Illustrated has also tabbed Kentucky for the Belk Bowl, but they predict the Duke Blue Devils will be on the other sideline.

Sporting News has Kentucky slated to take on the TCU Horned Frogs in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The Orlando Sentinel agrees with that bowl prediction, but predicts that the opponent will be the Kansas State Wildcats

Of course, this is going on the assumption that Kentucky will win the games they’re expected to win and not pull off upsets against Georgia, Mississippi State and Texas A&M.

While fans know that’s unlikely to happen exactly as planned, Kentucky is primed for a strong season in 2018.