Kentucky Wildcats Football: How Soon is Now?
By Paul Jordan
Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Next comes a trip to the Swamp at Florida. I’m not going to pick an upset, but just let me say that the talent gap between UF and Florida has never been closer in the last twenty years and lets just say “Georgia Southern”. That was a once in a twenty year fluke at the Swamp, but this streak has to end sometime. It more than likely won’t be this year, but the 2015 game at Commonwealth could be interesting.
Then comes Vanderbilt to what had better be a sold out and rowdy Commonwealth. Part of what made Vanderbilt so good the last few years was James Franklin and well, he is no longer a Commodore. Also, the Commodores have lost their QB and top three receiving threats. That is a lot of talent to lose and the Vanderbilt game could be the early season determiner of how this season will go.
After a road trip to South Carolina, Kentucky gets a visit from Louisiana Monroe and could be 4-2 or at least 3-3. However, that is getting ahead of ourselves right now.
We have had this optimism in the past, so why should I think this team can start better and possible be 3-1 after four games?
First, for the first time, more than half the players should be Mark Stoops players. And the Joker Phillips players that are remaining are the best of that era sans Avery Williamson and the recent graduates. This will be the most talented Kentucky team in the last four seasons and there is starting to be some depth.
Secondly, we will have a set in stone quarterback hierarchy. There should not be a QB controversy headed into this season and I think both Drew Barker or Patrick Towles have that leadership quality that this team needs. Both have the ability to have their team believe in them and follow them.
And finally, there is more offensive talent team since Andre Woodson was at Kentucky. The RB stable is stacked and this set of receivers is going to just get better game after game.
In reality, this is still a very young team. You are relying on mostly freshmen and sophomores in the SEC but hope springs eternal with this team. They will improve gradually, but the back half of the schedule is brutal, so there will be pressure to make an impact early. However, I like the Louisville game being at the end of the season and think that game could be a season defining game, even at UL. THese sophomores will be as close to juniors as you can get and the freshmen will be grown up.
But in reality, 2015 is the year to mark on the calendar and I think most of the fan base will be patient with a 4-5 win year and a SEC win. The stadium renovations will be done in 2015 and the home slate will bring Florida, Tennessee, and Louisville back to Commonwealth.
Let’s exercise patience, but let’s realize that NOW will happen and could be sooner rather than later.
And since the song will be in your head all day now, enjoy: