Smell it….
Football s so close you can almost taste it now (you should be able to smell it, that’s how close) and the depth charts still aren’t set. Many coaches have used the press as a positive motivator for someone to work harder in practice, and judging by how the last scrimmage went, it didn’t work. The offensive line still isn’t set (I still maintain they will perform better than expected), we still haven’t found a slot receiver (Brian Adams for the Great White Hope win) or rush end opposite Dequin Evans, but we have the venerable Randall Cobb blessing our team with his teleporting abilities. And that makes us a dangerous team, provided we can give him support. All that stuff you know. But what you don’t know is what I think about our odds. And with this deluxe breakdown you also get a spread for each game so you can impress your friends(Note: do not take this spread as betting advice, I just want to sound like a Vegas big shot.)
9/4 @ LOU-+11.5- I’m calling the Battle for the Bluegrass in favor of the Mighty Cats. Joker’s first big win and a tone setter for the new program direction. QB Adam “Stop Calling Me Abe” Froman leads the team with 1354 yards of passing, but after that the next biggest offense threat is junior RB Victor Anderson with 473 yards last year. Too much talent on the Cats’ offense for the defense to even think about stopping them. Game Over.
9/11 v. Western Kentucky-+21.5- This one’s gonna be bad. This game has the potential to be one of the largest margins of victory in the season. The ‘Toppers have been mired in a 40+ games losing streak and haven’t had much success since gaining entry to the FBS a few years ago. It’s a young program with young players, but there’s no way this thing is even exciting.
9/18 v. Akron-+16.5- Last year’s 3-9 team didn’t really make waves, with the highlight of the season being a thrilling 8-point victory over Kent State. The term “running back by committee” doesn’t even scratch the surface of the Golden Flashes, with 8 backs getting 25+ touches last year. Still, there’s just not enough there to worry me on the offense or defense. Watch for QB Patrick “Oh So” Nicely to mount as much of an attack as he can, but with a 54% completion rating against low conference competition, he’s going to get shut down.
9/25 @ Florida–21.5- How do you replace your team’s leading rusher, leading passer, and leading foreskin remover? You don’t. But even with the sharpest teeth of this gator gone to happier hunting grounds, they have enough talent to contend for another SEC championship. Unfortunately the SEC is full of monster programs, and this is only the first on the schedule. RB Jeff Demps will be leading the team this season, and Tebow successor Josh Brantley will more than likely rack up his own impressive numbers. This is one, as a reasonable UK fan, that you can’t really expect to win. Playing the game in Ben Hill Griffin stadium won’t help either.
10/2 @ Ole Miss-+4.5- Last year’s 9-4 Rebels are very different from this year with the leading passer (Jevan Snead), leading rusher (Dexter McCluster), and top two receivers (Shay Hodge and McCluster) moving on; and that kind of production is hard to replace. West coast transplant Jeremiah Masoli, fresh off his expulsion from the Oregon Ducks, will charged with leading the offense which only returns one player with over 500 yards of production (RB Brandon Bolden). The Cats may be green, but this team is greener; I’m calling this one against the Ole Miss Admiral Ackbar’s (look it up).
10/9 v. Auburn-+2.5 With Kentucky product Chris Todd no longer taking snaps, and the fact that the Tigers are 0-1 in the last year against the Cats, AND the fact that the game is being played in Commonwealth stadium are all very good factors swinging our way. But Gene Chizik is no slacker and the fact that 1,000 yard receiver Darvin Adams is still around to catch balls from whoever is throwing them will make this game much harder than it looks.
10/16 v South Carolina–3.5- As much as it pains me to say it, I don’t think this will be the year that the streak is broken against the Ole Head Ball coach. He is returning his top players (Kenny Miles and Alshon Jeffery) and he always finds a way to pull out a win. QB Stephen Garcia knows how to pick apart our secondary and somehow, inexplicably, it always happens.
10/23 v. Georgia–6.5- Pulling out a W last year in Athens was one of the biggest wins of the season, but it was due to some major production (and a little bit of luck) from senior leaders; I don’t think we’ll be so lucky this year. With Joe Cox no longer taking snaps (which may improve their odds of winning) receivers AJ Green (yeah, he’s still there) and Tavarres King will experience some drop off but I still don’t see this going Kentucky’s way.
10/30 @ Miss. St.–3.5- A true toss-up as the Cats have played many good games against Dan Mullen’s squad, but this game is being played at the Bulldogs’ home turf. Good news is the away team has won the last 4 meetings, bad news is I don’t see that continuing. Cat killer Anthony Dixon is gone, but the vaunted option attack run by MSU is still there. Let’s hope I’m wrong about this one but I’m still giving it to the Dogs.
11/6 v. Charleston Southern-+23.5- Yes, Charleston Southern has a football team. And yes, this is the late season break we need to stop to mini slide I apparently see coming. I’m not going to get into this one too deep because it’s not really worth it. A good preparation for the battle for Tennessee.
11/13 v. Vanderbilt-+21.5- The first battle for domination of our neighbors to the south. Vanderbilt, still suffering from the unexpected departure of Bobby Johnson (AKA the best thing that ever happened to Vandy Football), will be shell-shocked and will be hard pressed to make this season a success. Stone Mountain, GA product Warren “Stormin'” Norman will be expected to power this offense, but after that there isn’t much support there.
11/27 @ Tennessee-+7.5- This it the one. The game that, upon hearing of Lane Kiffin’s ignoble departure and ensuing mass exodus, I immediately tabbed as my most anticipated of the year. The streak ends this year with all top-4 producers in either category gone, it’s hard to say new coach Derek Dooley was left with much in the cupboard. As wary as I usually am about calling a win for the Cats here, I feel like everything is in place for this to happen. And believe me, when this happens there’s going to be one hell of a party, and I will be there.
Final season W-L prediction: 8-4, 3rd in the SEC East
Keep following www.http://wildcatbluenation.com for the best in Kentucky basketball and football news, rumors, and opinions. By Kentucky fans for Kentucky fans