I know. It is insanely early to be taking a look at UK’s football schedule, but there is not a lot of football news right now. We know that Joker is seeing a lot of recruits and that he and the staff are visiting a lot of guys that have already committed to keep them secure. But no actual news. I really doubt we will hear about any more commits before signing day. Joker and staff are keeping their inner dealings pretty closely guarded, so we could see some new names on signing day.
But as of now? Nothing. So it is a good time to get an idea in what the 2010 season holds for UK:
SEPTEMBER 9 – @ Louisville – This is a hard one to call. The Cards were so bad last year and you don’t know if their bad play was talent related or coaching related. I think that Kentucky holds the edge on talent, but as this game will be at Louisville and is the first game of a new era makes me up this in the TOSS UP category.
SEPTEMBER 11 – Western Kentucky – The Hilltoppers were dreadful last year (0-12) and were pretty much in the “buy a win” category for division one schools. No matter how you look at it, this should be a WIN for the Cats.
SEPTEMBER 18 – AKRON – See Western Kentucky. The Zips were 3-9 last year and have been homecoming fodder the last four years. Another Kentucky WIN.
SEPTEMBER 25 – @ FLORIDA – Another trip to the swamp, and another sure loss. Sure, the Gator’s coaching situation is up in the air and no Tebow, but the talent disparity is still too big to win at the swamp. A LOSS for UK.
OCTOBER 2 – @ OLE MISS – This is actually a very interesting game. Sure, the Rebels were 9-4 last year, but against common opponents, they had about the same result as Kentucky. I think the gap between UK and Ole Miss is closing, and I am encouraged by Kentucky’s road play. If Jevan Snead does leave, I consider this a TOSS UP.
OCTOBER 9 – AUBURN – I am not sold on Gene Chizik and Auburn needed a miracle win over Northeastern to make it to 8-5. That said, Auburn is not having a monster recruiting year either and UK did win last year on the road, so I am going to call this a UK WIN for now.
OCTOBER 16 – SOUTH CAROLINA – I know we say it every year, but this South Carolina streak has to end sometime. Kentucky has been narrowing the gap every year and basically these two teams are the same right now. I know Spurrier hates to hear it, but he is not going to pull off a national title in Columbia. Let’s be optimistic and say a Kentucky WIN.
OCTOBER 23 – GEORGIA – If I put this as a UK win or even a toss up, you would consider me insane. This game is winnable because I don’t think Georgia knows who their QB will be yet, but let’s call this game a LOSS and root for UK winning two of these three home games.
OCTOBER 30 – @ MISSISSIPPI STATE – Starkville is always a place that we are not scared of playing at and this win would be payback for last year. WIN.
NOVEMBER 6 – CHARLESON SOUTHERN – See Western Kentucky. A sure UK WIN.
NOVEMBER 13 – VANDERBILT – No bowl talk in Vandy anymore. Another UK WIN.
NOVEMBER 27 – @ TENNESSEE – Who knows? All I know is that we have taken UT to OT two of the last three seasons and that Tennessee may still lose a lot of talent due to the Lane Kiffin drama. Let’s put it in the TOSS UP column.
At first look, this is a more favorable schedule for UK with Alabama off and what could be a very average Ole Miss taking their place. I know I was a little generous with some of the wins but was being a little optimistic and UK the advantage of the doubt that the offense and QB play will be much better.
In that aspect and I am stunned to see that the UK schedule consists of a 7-2 season with three toss ups. In reality, I considered the Auburn and South Carolina toss ups and that would make it 5 wins, 2 losses, and 5 toss ups. Of the five tossups, I still think that Louisville, Auburn, and South Carolina are UK leans. Ole Miss is likely a loss. And Tennessee would be the difference between a 8-4 season and a *gasp* 9-3 season.
Is it me or is this schedule very favorable?
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