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USA Today released their most updated Bowl projections on September 26th - one of the most recent projections from national media. USA Today has certainly been impressed with Kentucky football so far, placing them in the January 1st Outback Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans.
The Outback Bowl is the most prestigious bowl game that UK has been projected to be in so far, and has been in the conversation of for several years, although that could potentially change as the season progresses.
In 2018’s Outback Bowl, South Carolina defeated Michigan. Once the playoff teams have been decided, the Outback Bowl basically has the 3rd pick of remaining teams from the SEC and Big 10. This is a big-time bowl game, as each school in 2017 netted $3.5 million.
ESPN has two predictions for Kentucky. One is playing in the Music City Bowl again, only this time against the Boston College Eagles. Eagles running back AJ Dillon vs. Benny Snell would be one of the best backfield matchups of the season.
The other predictions has the Kentucky Wildcats playing in the Outback Bowl against the Michigan Wolverines.
The Orlando Sentinel released an updated projection list of the 2018 college football bowl games. This list has the Wildcats playing on December 29th in the Belk Bowl against N.C. State.
The Belk Bowl is played in Charlotte, NC at the Bank of America Stadium, and is played between an ACC team and a team from the SEC. In last year’s Belk Bowl, Wake Forest defeated Texas A&M in a shootout, 55-52. The Belk Bowl is typically reserved for the second pooled selection from each the ACC and the SEC.
SB Nation has Kentucky playing in the Citrus Bowl against the Wisconsin Badgers. Played in Gainesville, Florida, this would be a great chance for the Wildcats to win in Florida for the second time this year. That would provide a major boost to Kentucky’s recruiting efforts in the Sunshine State.
In the most recent update from Sports Illustrated on their bowl projections, SI has UK playing in the Belk Bowl, against ACC basketball blue-blood Duke Blue Devils. How exciting would that be? The much anticipated first game of basketball season is against Duke - the Belk Bowl could bode well for storylines and hype.