Kentucky Wildcats Football: Dodd’s Poll Leaves Wildcat Blue Nation Scratching Our Heads

LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 26: Kentucky Wildcats mascot takes the field against the Missouri Tigers before the game at Kroger Field on October 26, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 26: Kentucky Wildcats mascot takes the field against the Missouri Tigers before the game at Kroger Field on October 26, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY – OCTOBER 26: Head coach Mark Stoops of the Kentucky Wildcats looks on against the Missouri Tigers in the first quarter at Kroger Field on October 26, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY – OCTOBER 26: Head coach Mark Stoops of the Kentucky Wildcats looks on against the Missouri Tigers in the first quarter at Kroger Field on October 26, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Kentucky Wildcats Football lack respect from Dennis Dodd in his Way-Too-Early 2020 poll.

Kentucky Wildcats Football fans are used to national media being pessimistic about Mark Stoops‘ program. To be fair, Kentucky has not been a national powerhouse since the Bear roamed the sidelines. So, that pessimism is somewhat warranted.

There has been significant momentum built by this program (i.e. tremendous on-field performances in 2018 and 2019), however, there has not been a subsequent boom in national media perception.

And sometimes, it seems the sports media wants to proverbially slap Kentucky Wildcats Football fans in the face!

Dennis Dodd is a Senior Sports Writer for CBS. He put together an article titled:

College football rankings: Clemson leads Ohio State in way-too-early top 25 ahead of 2020 season.

LEXINGTON, KY – OCTOBER 26: Landon Young #67 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts after the game against the Missouri Tigers at Kroger Field on October 26, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky defeated Missouri 29-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY – OCTOBER 26: Landon Young #67 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts after the game against the Missouri Tigers at Kroger Field on October 26, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky defeated Missouri 29-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Now, based on that title, maybe Kentucky Wildcats Football fans should just ignore the poll. It would seem to cater to the current upper-echelon of college football dynasties. The usual suspects are there: Clemson, Ohio State, Alabama, LSU, and Oklahoma.

At first glance, there is little issue with this, frankly. Those schools continue to recruit at high levels and perform year-in and year-out, and are regularly in the running for the College Football Playoff, conference championships, and national championships.

But upon further inspection, there is a questionable team ranked 16th.

"16. LouisvilleScott Satterfield was a turnaround artist in year 1 at Louisville. The Cardinals went from  2-10 to 8-5. There’s plenty to like about 2020. the Cardinals were second in the ACC in rushing. Rising junior Tutu Atwell led the league in receiving. Quarterback Micale Cunningham also returns."

Ugh!!!

There is nothing wrong, on face, with recognizing Louisville’s turnaround this past season and acknowledging that there is momentum in the Cardinals’ program.

But…seriously?

Is there a team outside of the blue-bloods that will come into 2020 with greater momentum than Kentucky Wildcats Football?

Scott Satterfield had a nice season but Mark Stoops has steadily built a winning program in the toughest conference in the country, making 4 consecutive bowl games and winning a bowl in each of the past two years.

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – SEPTEMBER 07: Kavosiey Smoke #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Commonwealth Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – SEPTEMBER 07: Kavosiey Smoke #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Commonwealth Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Cardinals finished second in the ACC in rushing. Kentucky Wildcats Football will return four of five Big Blue Wall starters as well as the top three running backs on a team that dominated the run game, finishing fourth in the country in total rushing yards, second in the country in average yards per carry, fourth in rushing yard per game, and ninth in rushing touchdowns.

LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 24: Terry Wilson #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats throws the ball against the Louisville Cardinals on November 24, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 24: Terry Wilson #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats throws the ball against the Louisville Cardinals on November 24, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Louisville returns two of its top players. Kentucky returns 18 of 22 starters, including Terry Wilson at quarterback, who led this team to a 10-win season and a Citrus Bowl victory in 2018. This season, he went 2-0 before suffering a season-ending injury versus Eastern Michigan. The Cats finished 21st in total defense in the country in 2019 and second in passing yards allowed, returning 9 of 11 starters on the defensive side.

Also, Kentucky out-recruited Louisville in 2019. The Cats currently have the 19th ranked recruiting class in the country, according to Rivals. Louisville ranks 37th.

LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 24: Malik Cunningham #3 of the Louisville Cardinals attempts to throw a pass while defended by Jamar Watson #31 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the game on November 24, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 24: Malik Cunningham #3 of the Louisville Cardinals attempts to throw a pass while defended by Jamar Watson #31 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the game on November 24, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

And, of course, there is the fact that the Cats annihilated the Cards 45-13 this season.

What are your thoughts Wildcat Blue Nation? Leave your comments about this poll and your predictions for the 2020 season.

Schedule

Schedule