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Kentucky Football looks to once again prove the doubters wrong

Can the Cats hit the over on the win total again?

NCAA Football: Belk Bowl-Virginia Tech vs Kentucky Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

The Kentucky football program is no stranger to disrespect and—for many years—most would believe that it was warranted. Now, the tide has turned in Lexington, and many sports fans believe Kentucky is one of the best up-and-coming SEC programs.

Do they have flaws? Sure, but it’s hard to discredit the Cats’ progression over the last few years. The Las Vegas Sportsbook seems to overlook the progression and have decided to keep throwing some shade on the Wildcats.

A few weeks ago, Las Vegas-based Caesar’s Sportsbook came out with its projected win totals for each SEC school. This season, the Vegas sportsbook has projected that the Kentucky Wildcats will only see 7 wins. If the Kentucky football did finish with the projected 7 wins, it would be the lowest win total since 2017. If they hit the under, it would be the lowest since 2015.

Kentucky has a very exciting returning team and most would like to see a 7-win season as a disappointment. To me, there are many reasons why the Cats will hit the over on this 7-win projection.

NCAA Football: Belk Bowl-Virginia Tech vs Kentucky Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

The Cats are returning 9 of 11 starters on a defense that was among the nation’s best last season. This is the same defense that adds former starter Davonte Robinson from injury and also add LSU transfer Kelvin Joseph to the starting lineup.

The Cats did lose Lynn Bowden, who was most of the offense, but return Terry Wilson from injury after he was the QB for a 10-win team in 2018. The Cats will bring back four of five starters on the offensive line that lead the nation in rushing, boasting three returning 500-yard rushers.

This might be the most anticipated season in a long time.

So, let’s say the Cats do hit the over on this 7-game projection. This would be the fifth consecutive season with the football Cats hitting the over on win total projected by the Vegas Sportsbook.

Looking back, the Cats opened up with a six-win projection in 2016, and they finished with seven wins. The 2017 team did the same, as they opened up with being projected to win 6.5 games and pulled out 7. To add, probably the most famous miss from Vegas sportsbook was the 2018 season where the Cats opened up at 5.5 wins and finished with 10.

Then, last season, you would’ve thought that Vegas would have learned their lesson, but the Cats opened at 6.5 and finished with 8 with a wide receiver at quarterback.

Lastly, if you’re a sports better, you might run and jump on the Cats at 7 wins, because Kentucky vs. Vegas has been in favor of the Cats. Plus, the staff, players, and fans believe this could be one of the best teams we have seen in Lexington.