The Wildcats were in position to play in the postseason in each of the last two years before late-season collapses left them at 5-7 both times, just a victory shy of bowl eligibility. As coach Mark Stoops enters his fourth season, he and his rebuilt coaching staff are looking for answers as to how they can push past the five-win barrier and reach bowl eligibility for the first time.
Kentucky Wildcats Regular Season Win Total Odds at BookMaker.eu
Wildcats Over 5 Wins -110
Wildcats Under 5 Wins -110
2015 KENTUCKY WILDCATS SEASON REVIEW
The season started off well only to see the Wildcats falter down the stretch in what has become an all too familiar story for Kentucky fans. In the end, the Wildcats were left with a frustrating 5-7 record, a win shy of becoming bowl eligible.
A win over then-undefeated and 25th-ranked Missouri was a big step forward for the Wildcats at the time. Two weeks prior Kentucky broke a 22-game losing streak at South Carolina and a week prior lost to Florida by five points. UK was 3-1 after the Missouri win, 2-1 in conference, and things were looking up.
It’s easy to point to the season finale – a loss to Louisville in which the Wildcats led 21-0 in the first quarter – but bowl eligibility shouldn’t have come down to that game. Kentucky should have taken care of business two weeks prior against Vanderbilt when it lost 21-17. That was a night UK outgained Vandy but came up empty inside the Commodores’ 5-yard line twice and committed three turnovers.
WHAT CHANGED
Kentucky will play with its third different offensive coordinator in three seasons, but the arrival of co-coordinators Eddie Gran and Darin Hinshaw from Cincinnati has led to renewed optimism about the direction of the offense after a season of struggles. The new assistants inherit a strong nucleus of talent with nine of 11 starters from the 2015 finale back on campus.
Gran’s Cincinnati offense posted ridiculous numbers, ranking sixth nationally in passing yards and total yards per game. Kentucky may need its offense to find similar success to make up for massive turnover on defense. After back-to-back 5-7 seasons that featured second-half meltdowns, the Wildcats are set on reaching their first bowl game since 2010.
2016 KENTUCKY WILDCATS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
Sep. 3: vs. Southern Mississippi
Sep. 10: at Florida
Sep. 17: vs. New Mexico State
Sep. 24: vs. South Carolina
Oct. 1: at Alabama
Oct. 8: vs. Vanderbilt
Oct. 22: vs. Mississippi State
Oct. 29: at Missouri
Nov. 5: vs. Georgia
Nov. 12: at Tennessee
Nov. 19: vs. Austin Peay
Nov. 26: at Louisville
2016 KENTUCKY WILDCATS SEASON PREVIEW
To put it simply, the SEC East is up for grabs again. Kentucky probably isn’t ready to jump in as the division’s representative, but that doesn’t mean the Wildcats can’t have a good year. The offense, by all accounts, looks to be improved. In fact, if the quarterback play is at the level of the other position groups, Kentucky could be difficult to stop.
Kentucky almost squeaked out a bowl bid in 2015, falling just short thanks to one-possession losses to Florida, Auburn and Vanderbilt. The Wildcats will once again spend 2016 scrapping to reach bowl eligibility with Boom Williams back at running back. He's a talented back, but will he be enough to power the 'Cats to six wins?
Kentucky hopes to take the next step for the program in 2016 and quarterback Drew Baker must lead the charge. The offense won’t miss a beat this year with the most starters in the SEC returning on that side of the ball. The defense, on the other hand, must improve under coordinator D.J. Eliot to keep the momentum for a full season.
The schedule isn't the easiest. Southern Miss in the opener is a tough Group of Five team and then Kentucky closes the season with a tough one at rival Louisville. In the middle, they have to go to Florida, Alabama and Tennessee and also face Georgia. A push is a likely scenario, but after coming so close the past two season, the ‘Cats will get that sixth win.
College Football Odds: Kentucky Wildcats Over 5 Wins
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