Kentucky football released their 2019 schedule this week, highlighted by eight home games.

With the Kentucky football team expected to look completely different next season, with departures of Josh Allen, Mike Edwards, Jordan Jones, Dorian Baker, and presumably Benny Snell, some games might be more difficult than others as Stoops will have a small rebuilding year next year.

But with Terry Wilson likely back, Kentucky will have a big piece to build around and continue moving forward, something Stoops has consistently done since arriving in Lexington.

So, here is the schedule broken down from the easiest games to the most challenging.

1. Toledo, Eastern Michigan, UT-Martin

These three games are clearly the easiest on the schedule as Kentucky normally has their three easy games scheduled for two of the first three weeks and then later in November. Kentucky will also play Eastern Michigan for the second time in three years as the game that was supposed to take place in Ypsilanti, Michigan was moved back home to Lexington.

2. Arkansas Razorbacks

If this season is any indication to where Arkansas is trending, getting the Razorbacks at home seems like it could be one of the easier conference games that the Wildcats have next season. Arkansas struggles on defense, and with Terry Wilson coming back next year, as he is only a sophomore, and the slim chance Benny Snell does return for his senior season, this can be seen as W.

3. Missouri Tigers

The Tigers lose Drew Lock to graduation after this season. Lock is projected as one of the top quarterback’s in the class, and he’ll be a major loss for this offense. Missouri also has a defense that can’t seem to stop anybody, much like Arkansas. Will it improve by next season? Surely, but I like Kentucky’s chances in Lexington against the Tigers.

4. Louisville Cardinals

Louisville looks bad as of this very moment. If this is any indication of how things are going to go for Bobby and Co. in the post-Lamar Jackson era for the Cardinals, getting Louisville at home could be an easy win, especially with Terry Wilson. But it is a rivalry game, you never know what will happen.

5. At Vanderbilt Commodores

Even though it is a road game, at Vanderbilt has always been a game that Kentucky can win, sans three seasons ago. Kentucky dominated the Commodores last season in their trip to Nashville, but it is an SEC road game, which is why I am putting it in the middle of the pack.

6. Tennessee Volunteers

I personally believe that Kentucky has passed Tennessee in the SEC East. That may be because of last season’s UK win over Tennessee and their record/coaching debacle, but it seems that for the time being, Kentucky is more respected than Tennessee. This will still be a difficult game, but getting the Vols at home certainly helps Kentucky’s chances.

7. Florida Gators

Florida will be better next season and that is a fact. Pair that up with Dan Mullen, who is a great coach that should have Florida on their way to becoming an SEC East contender again. With this game being at Kroger Field, there’s always a chance Kentucky takes two in a row against the Gators, but I’m not sure if lighting will strike twice.

8. At South Carolina Gamecocks

Kentucky has beaten South Carolina at Williams-Brice the past two trips that they have made there. That being said, South Carolina is looking good, despite a beating at the hands of Georgia. Still, I don’t think the Gamecocks will be back to their old, Steve Spurrier days anytime soon. Plus, no one likes Sandstorm.

9. At Mississippi St. Bulldogs

Kentucky never plays good at Mississippi State, plain and simple. They have struggled in every trip to Starkville, it seems, and with the Bulldogs looking mighty fine in the SEC West, it may be hard to go down to cowbell hell and get a victory.

10. At Georgia Bulldogs

Yeah, I don’t see many, if any teams beating the Bulldogs from Athens in their own building.