The Kentucky Wildcats are coming off of back to back 8+ win seasons, and this very well may be the best overall roster Mark Stoops has had in Lexington. However, due to stupid COVID-19, the Wildcats are staring down the barrel of an All-SEC schedule. Ten games and ten SEC opponents stand in the way of Kentucky taking another step forward as a contender for the eastern division.
According to 247 Sports, the Wildcats could ball out and end up going 7-3 in conference this season. However, they could also be looking at a 3-7 record. Assuming the best possible scenario for the Cats, Brad Crawford wrote:
“Can the ‘Cats compete for a crown in the SEC East this fall? They can certainly get to the No. 3 spot, but leaping favorites Georgia and Florida will be a tall order. Kentucky has road tilts vs. Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee and Florida and entertains South Carolina in the regular-season finale. If Mark Stoops’ team could find a way to go 4-1 in those, they’ll give themselves a shot at Atlanta.”
Given Georgia’s loss of a quarterback, the fact that Kentucky continually pushes Florida to the brink, and the reality of Auburn’s team dealing with COVID-19 concerns, this scenario is not completely out of consideration. However, what if this slate does not go Kentucky’s way?
“It’s hard to imagine a team with as much veteran leadership up front falling to the bottom of the standings, but getting through October with their heads above water is vital considering the late-season challenges the Crimson Tide and Gators will present,” Crawford wrote. “Kentucky opens at Auburn, then hosts Ole Miss and Mississippi State — a Western Division three-pack out the gate.”
So will Kentucky go 7-3, 3-7, or somewhere in-between. The majority of sports books have the Wildcats’ over-under at 4.5. How many wins do you think Kentucky gets this season?