Kentucky’s defense ranks last in the country in passing efficiency

Well, this hasn’t quite been the start to the season that a lot of people were expecting for the Kentucky Wildcats.

Currently 0-2 after lackluster defensive efforts in back-to-back games, Kentucky is scrambling to find answers for why its much-hyped defense has looked so bad through two games. Coming into the season, many thought Kentucky’s defense would be one of the best in the country.

Nearly every defender came back from last season in which the Cats ranked 13th overall in scoring defense and nearly top-20 in every other defensive category.

The Cats only gave up seven passing touchdowns in the 2019-20 season. They’ve already given up 7 passing touchdowns in their first two games this year. Kentucky also ranked 4th last season in passing yards per game, giving up 172.

This season, Bo Nix threw for 233 yards compared to Matt Corral’s 320 yards.

Now, the Cats rank dead last in passing efficiency, again, a stat that most would’ve thought the Cats would be near the top in.

To say it’s been a disappointing start to the season is an understatement. It’s not really about the losses, it’s the way in which Kentucky is being dominated defensively, especially in the secondary.

This defense is too talented and too experienced to be giving up the chunks of yards and points that we’ve seen in the first two games.

It doesn’t get any easier going forward either. The Cats next game is at Mississippi State, a team that defeated the defending National Champions in their first game only to lose to Arkansas in their next.

If the Cats don’t fix this immediately, it will be a very long season.