Let’s Bowl: Where Will Kentucky Go?
By Drew Koch
Mark Stoops and the Kentucky football team will learn the destination of their bowl game on Sunday. Let’s take a peek at the possible landing spots for the Wildcats.
At 7-5 the Wildcats are obviously not part of the discussion for the College Football Playoff, nor are they in the mix for the Citrus Bowl. The Citrus Bowl is responsible for selecting the first available SEC participant outside of the CFP.
Kentucky will likely be in the mix for the so-called Pool of Six. The SEC, as well as the universities and the bowls themselves are responsible for selecting the schools that will participate in the Pool of Six. Among the perspective bowls are the Liberty Bowl, Belk Bowl, TaxSlayer Bowl and Music City Bowl.
Kentucky played Georgia Tech last year in the TaxSlayer Bowl. While it’s not out of the realm of possibilities, it would be surprising to see the Wildcats back in Jacksonville. The last time Kentucky played back-to-back seasons in the same bowl game was 10 years ago. Rich Brooks’ Wildcats won the Music City Bowl in 2006 and 2007.
Kentucky last won a bowl game in the 2008 season. The Wildcats defeated East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl. Could Kentucky return to Memphis this year? David Hale of ESPN believes the answer is yes.
Another ESPN reporter, Kyle Bonagura, feels as though Kentucky is headed to the Belk Bowl. That game will be played on the same day and time as the Kentucky vs. Louisville men’s basketball game, making Charlotte an undesirable destination as far as Big Blue Nation is concerned.
We’ll all find out tomorrow, and while this wasn’t the season Cats’ fan were hoping for, a second straight trip to a bowl game is a solid step forward for this program. This year Kentucky will be looking for a win.