Kentucky Wildcats Football: Kyle’s final word on 2012 season predictions
By Kyle
October 27 – @ Missouri
Why Kentucky will win:
In Missouri’s first season of SEC play, the Tigers will find out what Kentucky fans have known for years; this conference is rough. A Former Big 12 team that’s used to a finesse game predicated on the spread offense every week will likely find that the brutal smash-mouth style of play in the SEC leaves their team battered and bruised by this point of the season. Kentucky will be a tough matchup for Missouri on defense and the Wildcats’ defensive line should be able to dominate the game for the Cats. If Kentucky can force mistakes and miscues from Missouri’s offense, the Cats will come out on top. The bottom line here is that Missouri is not a top team in the SEC and is a very beatable opponent.
Why Kentucky will lose:
If there’s anything that has given Kentucky fits over the years, it’s a spread offense. If Missouri can utilize four and five receiver sets to take advantage of Kentucky’s youth in the defensive backfield, they can capitalize on the inevitable mistakes that will follow. The game being in Missouri and a new destination for Kentucky might further complicate matters as well.
My prediction:
Kentucky 33 / Missouri 27
November 3 – Vanderbilt
Why Kentucky will win:
Recruiting rankings and preseason hype set aside, Vanderbilt is still Vanderbilt. The team is young, and more important, only marginally talented at several positions. Kentucky should be able to utilize the power running game to gash through the middle of the Commodore defense and set up play-action passes. The Kentucky defensive line can control the line of scrimmage and should disrupt the Vanderbilt offense almost at will. You can bet that the Wildcats will be looking for revenge after last season’s embarrassing loss in Nashville.
Why Kentucky will lose:
For whatever reason, Kentucky has struggled with Vanderbilt in recent years, even when the talent gap wasn’t as close as it is now. It’s been apparent in the last three seasons or so, that the Commodores wanted the game more than the Wildcats, and that just can’t happen. Now, Vanderbilt is on the upswing and Kentucky is the underdog now, so if the Cats can’t get up for this year’s game, we could see another blowout.
My prediction:
Kentucky 19 / Vanderbilt 16
November 17 – Samford
Why Kentucky will win:
Samford is a FCS opponent and Kentucky is significantly bigger, stronger, and more athletic at every position.
Why Kentucky will lose:
There is no reason why the Cats would drop this game. If Kentucky loses this one, there’s no chance Joker keeps his job.
My prediction:
Kentucky 46 / Samford 14
November 24 – @ Tennessee
Why Kentucky will win:
The majority of the Volunteers roster is expected to be incarcerated by this point of the season. So that will complicate things. Seriously though, Tennessee’s struggles off the field over the past few years have really affected the team’s depth chart going into this season. There are some weaknesses that Kentucky can exploit and the two teams talent levels are as close as they’ve ever been. Uncertainty about Dooley’s future could further complicate things and give Kentucky the edge.
Why Kentucky will lose:
The loss to Kentucky last season was a serious blow to the Vols’ pride and forced the team into last place in the SEC east. Tennessee will be out looking for blood and rightfully so. It is possible that their bowl hopes come down to this game again this year and with the contest being in Knoxville, Kentucky might not be so lucky this time around.
My prediction:
Kentucky 20 / Tennessee 17
So if you’re keeping count, I have UK finishing the season with an 8-4 record, which should be good enough for a solid bowl. I’ll disclaim here that I’m probably overshooting on the teams final record, but I find that being positive and hoping for the best makes a much more enjoyable football season than fearing the worst. So now with the season preview out if the way, unpack your grill, fill up the cooler, and find a way to Louisville to support the Cats on Sunday.