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Kentucky Football: Six Must-Win Games In 2016

By Maxwell Ogden

Oct 24, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops celebrates after a replay confirmed a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops celebrates after a replay confirmed a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against Kentucky Wildcats cornerback Blake McClain (24) in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Louisville defeated Kentucky 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against Kentucky Wildcats cornerback Blake McClain (24) in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Louisville defeated Kentucky 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

Louisville Cardinals

Date: Saturday, November 26
Venue: Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium
2015 W-L Record: 8-5 (5-3)
2015 Head-to-Head Result: 38-24, Louisville

The Louisville Cardinals may or may not have the more talented roster. That doesn’t matter in this conversation, however, as the Kentucky football program needs to secure a win over its in-state rival.

If the Wildcats are unable to overcome the Cardinals, it could both prevent them from playing in a bowl game and end many seniors’ careers on a sour note.

Louisville’s most dangerous threat is the man under center. Lamar Jackson led the Cardinals in passing yards, rushing yards, passing touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns during the 2015 season.

He ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns during Louisville’s 38-24 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats.

The upside for Kentucky is that Jackson was 8-of-21 as a passer in that game, which plays into its promising secondary’s hands in 2016. The trouble is that this game will be played in Louisville, Kentucky.

Any game against an in-state rival is a must-win encounter. This is no exception.

must read: Mark Stoops is confident in starting quarterback Drew Barker

With six manageable must-win games, Kentucky has a legitimate opportunity to play in a bowl game in 2016.

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