Kentucky Wildcats Football: Kyle’s final word on 2012 season predictions
By Kyle
October 8, 2011; Columbia, SC, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Morgan Newton (12) runs the ball in the second quarter of the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE
September 29 – South Carolina
Why Kentucky will win:
The Gamecocks suffered massive personnel losses on defense and lost their most accomplished receiver on offense as well. Steve Spurrier has yet to produce a top tier quarterback in his time in Columbia and will again rely on stud running back Marcus Lattimore to fuel his offense. But now, with a much greener defense, the team will be forced to approach the game differently than in years past and can no longer bank on keeping the opponent of of the endzone, feeding the ball to Lattimore, and chucking deep passes to Jefferies as its game plan. If Kentucky can utilize runs, screens, and draws to neutralize the Gamecocks’ intimidating pass rush, a balanced attack could lead them to victory.
Why Kentucky will lose:
South Carolina has so much talent on their roster that they should give ANY team they play a run for their money. The best running back in the country should be the bread-winner for the offense and a myriad of aggressive blitzes should hide deficiencies in the defense. This team will be a tough one and with their sights set on the SEC East crown, lowly Kentucky is just a speed bump on the way.
My prediction:
South Carolina 34 / Kentucky 28
October 6 – Mississippi State
Why Kentucky will win:
The Bulldogs were supposed to be an up-and-coming team last year, but never lived up to the hype. Now they’ll play the Wildcats at home again for the second consecutive year and will return much of last year’s team which underperformed. In addition, throw in the weight of a NCAA investigation. An explosive offensive scheme can sometimes hide personnel or depth issues, but Mississippi State isn’t strong enough to take down Kentucky at home.
Why Kentucky will lose:
Despite their inconsistencies, the Bulldogs are a talented team and are always capable of upsetting anyone they play, much less Kentucky. Dan Mullens’ scheme keeps you guessing constantly and might be too much for Kentucky’s young back seven to handle. On top of it all, MSU is likely looking to prove they are not the under achievers of last year.
My prediction:
Kentucky 21 / Miss St 20
October 13 – @ Arkansas
Why Kentucky will win:
The Razorbacks are in the midst of one of the most tumultuous offseasons in the country. The man that turned the program around, Bobby Petrino, was unceremoniously terminated earlier this year for off the field transgressions. The combination of this and Arkansas likely overlooking Kentucky makes the Hawgs ripe for an upset.
Why Kentucky will lose:
Turmoil or not, Arkansas returns most of their roster that led the team to a BCS game last year and is absolutely loaded with talent, especially on offense. The high octane passing game is just too strong for Kentucky’s defensive backfield and the multiple receiver sets will force The Wildcats’ true freshmen corners onto the field a lot. Going down to Fayetteville and knocking off Arkansas at home is probably too much to ask for from the young Kentucky team.
My prediction:
Arkansas 41 / Kentucky 28
October 20 – Georgia
Why Kentucky will win:
There are as many Georgians on Kentucky’s roster as there are Kentuckians and the Wildcats always seem to play Georgia tough, even in down years. To that effect, the Bulldogs have one of the strongest teams in the country on paper each year, but always seem to stub their toe somewhere along the way. The Bulldogs could find that their rag-tag team of rushers can’t get the job done against Kentucky’s physical front seven and could be forced into a one dimensional offensive attack. The game being in Commonwealth Stadium could be just enough to tip this contest to the Wildcats.
Why Kentucky will lose:
Georgia is one of the most talented teams in the country. Their two-deep is littered with the who’s who of former All-Americans and about 70% of the roster will make it to the NFL one day. Aaron Murray is one of the fastest rising quarterbacks in the nation and could be ready for a breakout season.
My prediction:
Georgia 23 / Kentucky 18