Kentucky Wildcats Football: Kyle’s final word on 2012 season predictions
By Kyle
The 2012 season will kick off this weekend and it’s time for my annual season preview. Anyone who reads what I write (talking to you, dad) knows that I try to be as optimistic as possible because, well, it’s just a better way to live your life in my opinion. This season is no different either. With seven home games on the slate this season and an eighth inside the bluegrass state, the Wildcats will only be traveling out of state four times this season, which makes a brutal schedule considerably easier. Here’s my game by game breakdown…
September 2 – @ Louisville
Why Kentucky will win:
The Cardinals have a lot of hype right now and are a ridiculous 15 point favorite at home. To be blunt here, I just don’t understand why. Teddy Bridgewater has been an above-average quarterback in his only year of college play, but it’s not like he can win the game by himself. The Louisville team is young and inexperienced and the offensive line might be the most suspect position group on the team. On top of that, their bowl season in 2012 came after one of the worst BCS schedules of all time was dismantled. Realistically, Kentucky (a sub .500 team) was one of the toughest teams on the slate for the Cardinals. More importantly, Louisville have all the pressure in the world to win this game. That’s a lot to put on one of the youngest squads in the country.
Why Kentucky will lose:
As young as the Cardinals are, the Wildcats are equally as youthful. The inexperience on the offensive line for UK is comparable to that of U of L and Kentucky’s defensive back seven is as green as anyone in the country. The game being played in front of a rowdy Louisville crowd with delusions of a national championship might further complicate matters. The in-state rivalry factor along with this being a marquee game for the Cardinals could push this game into the L column if the Cats don’t come ready to play.
My prediction:
Kentucky 24 / Louisville 20
September 8 – Kent State
Why Kentucky will win:
The Wildcats are more talented than the Golden Flashes at every position on the field and will be playing at home. The Kent State offense should find it impossible to run the ball against Kentucky’s massive front seven and the Wildcat offensive line should be able to completely overpower the Golden Flashes on defense. Kentucky is just flat out a better team and a scare against Central Michigan last season will keep the team from overlooking another MAC opponent.
Why Kentucky will lose:
A defensive meltdown that allows the Kent State team to utilize the running game would be devastating to the Wildcats’ chances in this contest. Momentum will be key here and it will be important for a young Kentucky squad to get its confidence up against an inferior opponent. Too many adverse plays could lead to the team losing its swagger and allowing Kent State to steal an upset.
My prediction:
Kentucky 31 / Kent State 17
September 15 – Western Kentucky
Why Kentucky will win:
Despite a closer-than-it-should-have-been game last season, the Wildcats were the more talented team then, and are again this year. Western is making a meteoric rise up the ranks of the Sun Belt conference, but the truth of the matter is that Kentucky is still more talented at every position on the field and has no excuse to let the Hilltoppers hang around or believe they have a chance.
Why Kentucky will lose:
The Hilltoppers are a completely different team than they were three years ago and have only improved since last season. Western has made a living by going after players that may struggle to qualify at BCS schools and as a result has seen a colossal increase in athletic talent. While they would still be a subpar BCS team, they can hold their own. If the Wildcats don’t treat this game as a potential loss, it could end up being a shocker for UK fans. It doesn’t hurt that Western considers us a rival.
My prediction:
Kentucky 38 / Western KY 17
September 22 – @ Florida
Why Kentucky will win:
The Wildcats have nothing to lose. No one in their right mind will give Kentucky a chance playing Florida in the swamp in September and UK might be a 20+ point underdog or possibly even more. Florida is likely to overlook the Wildcats as more “marquee” games fill their schedule as well. But past all of that, it’s important to remember that this isn’t Tim Tebow’s Florida either. The Gators were inconsistent last season at best and will be without world-class speedsters Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey. Kentucky has knocked off the South Carolina streak, the Tennessee streak, and now the Florida losing streak is the only major one left. On top of it all, beating Florida would be a season defining win for the team, so I doubt the coaches hold anything back.
Why Kentucky will lose:
Florida is still Florida and even an inconsistent team will still see most of its players go on into the NFL when they leave Gainesville. There is just so much talent on that roster that Kentucky is likely to be overmatched at almost every position. If the game were in Lexington, the Cats’ chances would be better, but beating Florida at home in the sweltering September sun is a monstrous task for ANY college team, much less the young Wildcats.
My prediction:
Florida 35 / Kentucky 20