Kentucky Wildcats get little respect in new USA Today College Football Rankings

USA Today recently released their post-spring rankings and Kentucky came in at 73rd, a ranking that several of the players and coaches probably aren’t too happy about.

In Paul Myerberg’s rankings, Kentucky is ranked between Georgia Tech at 72 and Purdue at 74. Of SEC teams, Kentucky is ranked 12th, only ahead of Ole Miss and Vanderbilt. They also rank behind in-state rival Louisville.

The Wildcats are coming off of back-to-back 7-6 seasons the last two years, and return several starters on defense as well as star running back Benny Snell and multiple starters on the offensive line.

Kentucky’s lower ranking probably stems from uncertainty at the quarterback spot after Stephen Johnson’s graduation and a three-way battle between Gunnar Hoak, Terry Wilson, and Danny Clark. Additionally, the unexpected departure of pass rusher Denzil Ware puts a dent into the defense.

The Clemson Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide sit atop the rankings, followed by the Wisconsin Badgers, Washington Huskies, and Ohio State Buckeyes to round out the top five. The SEC ended up having five teams inside the top 25.

To view the full rankings from USA Today, you can do so here.

Here’s a look at how UK’s 2018 schedule looks in this ranking (Murray State not included since they’re an FCS team):

• 6. Georgia Bulldogs
• 21. Mississippi St. Bulldogs
• 24. South Carolina Gamecocks
• 31. Texas A&M Aggies
• 37. Louisville Cardinals
• 53. Florida Gators
• 56. Missouri Tigers
• 64. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
• 66. Tennessee Volunteers
• 83. Vanderbilt Commodores
• 107. Central Michigan Chippewas