Kentucky Football: 2009 Predictions

[WildcatRick]

http://www.betfirms.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/2009-kentucky-football-preview-300x225.jpg

Rich Brooks enters his 7th season as Kentucky head football coach in ‘09. The Kentucky Wildcats should once again have a defense that can compete with the rest of the SEC, but their offense must find a way to make more plays and put points on the board. If the offense can produce enough to keep the defense from wearing down late, UK should be in good shape for its fourth consecutive bowl bid. According to the NCAA football odds, the Wildcats are listed at +12500 to win the 2010 NCAA Championship.

Offense: The hope for a more productive offense rests with quarterback Mike Hartline, who finished last season with a good outing in the Liberty Bowl win over East Carolina. Hartline had good and bad days in the spring, but he didn’t have to worry about holding onto his job. He has that wrapped up despite highly touted recruits Morgan Newton and Ryan Mossakowski set to compete in the fall. Many of Hartline’s passes should be in the direction of versatile sophomore Randall Cobb, who likely will be Kentucky’s biggest threat this fall.

Cobb took over for Hartline for four games last year and flashed exciting potential as a duel-threat quarterback, but he spent the spring working out mostly at receiver. He caught 21 passes in 2008 and he’ll see time at QB in UK’s “Wildcat” package. Senior Alfonso Smith is the likely starter at tailback. Smith, who is a home-run threat with 4.3-speed, has gradually improved as a receiver and runner. Derrick Locke gives UK a nice 1-2 punch at tailback.

LINK (http://www.betfirms.com/kentucky-football-predictions-2009/)

[Diz2]

Now I remember what I love about September.

I predict sunburn and heat exhaustion if we don't get those games moved to sundown.

Seriously, 2009 may be one of the more surprising years in Kentucky football history. I look for an uncommon contribution from Freshmen and Sophomores. While M. Johnson, Lindley, Cobb, Jeffries, Connor and Peters are the big names now, I look for Guy, Burden, C. Johnson, Ukwu, Evans, Tydlacka, Mathews, and many other less-familiar names to have equally big year. The foundation is being laid this summer.

However, the freshmen may have to contribute due to the exhaustion from our September-October schedule. I believe our surprises will be of a "fun" variety and each week will expose a new playmaker. Brooks Boyz best be in complete unity for this season.

Whether it will be enough to beat the Gators, Bama and the Dogs is much in doubt. I like 9-3.

[KY VOL]

Now I remember what I love about September.

I predict sunburn and heat exhaustion if we don't get those games moved to sundown.

Seriously, 2009 may be one of the more surprising years in Kentucky football history. I look for an uncommon contribution from Freshmen and Sophomores. While M. Johnson, Lindley, Cobb, Jeffries, Connor and Porter are the big names now, I look for Guy, Burden, C. Johnson, Ukwu, Evans, Tydlacka, Mathews, and many other less-familiar names to have equally big year. The foundation is being laid this summer.

However, the freshmen may have to contribute due to the exhaustion from our September-October schedule. I believe our surprises will be of a "fun" variety and each week will expose a new playmaker. Brooks Boyz best be in complete unity for this season.

Whether it will be enough to beat the Gators, Bama and the Dogs is much in doubt. I like 9-3.

I like your optimism but really?

[RV]

I like your optimism but really?

Yeah - really.

I see no game on the schedule we can't win. While I think our chances to upset the Gators hinge on them being fat after gorging themselves on some half-baked Vol, I think they could be had if we bring our A game. I am satisfied that we can play with every other team on the schedule.

[KY VOL]

Yeah - really.

I see no game on the schedule we can't win. While I think our chances to upset the Gators hinge on them being fat after gorging themselves on some half-baked Vol, I think they could be had if we bring our A game. I am satisfied that we can play with every other team on the schedule.


No one said you can't play with everyone in the schedule. My "Really" is about saying UK will be 9-3 this year.

[bellbrass]

I really think it's going to be about what effect the defensive losses have on the team. With Jarmon gone next year, our D-line goes back to looking for serious holes to fill. Our defensive ends will have their hands full. We are good at safety and cornerback, and that leaves any linebacker position not occupied by Micah Johnson. So...I'm predicting that it will come down to linebacker play this year. If our defense can come to have the kind of year we had last year, then I think we can reach a better bowl. If not, then we may be hoping & praying for 6 or 7 wins.

[lilproUK98]

I see 8-4 as a real possibilty.

I see wins against: Miami (OH), UL, at Auburn, La-Monroe, Miss. St., EKU, at Vandy, and UT (YES UT!)

Toss-up games: Alabama, at South Carolina

Probable losses: Florida, at Georgia

If we take care of business and get those 8 wins and get one of those toss-up games then that would be a special special year. And I'd be off to Tampa for New Year's!

I think alot of people are underselling this team, but IF (big if) we stay healthy at the skill positions and on D and Matthews and Evans have good years then this is a pretty strong team. I'm ready for some football!

[johnkyblue]

14-0, MNC. I'm a fanatic.

[Watchtower]

The Gayders are the only team we have no shot with. We could lose only one and as many as five. I have no confidence in Hartline. 7-5.

[WildcatRick]

http://www.betfirms.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/sec-football-predictions-061609-225x300.jpg

Once again, the SEC looks to be the strongest conference in the nation. #1 Florida will try and repeat as National Champions with a stacked team again in 2009. They are the clear favorite to win the SEC East, but the SEC West is much more up for grabs. Let’s see how this season should play out with our 2009 SEC Predictions below.

SEC East:

1.) Florida Gators - QB Tim Tebow and LB Brandon Spikes lead the way, but 18 other starters return from last year’s title team to compete for another championship in ‘09. The Florida Gators (http://affiliates.commissionaccount.com/processing/clickthrgh.asp?btag=a_1031b_369) must try and fight complacency, and replace both starting offensive tackles. But with the SEC’s best players and easiest schedule, another national title is easily within reach. Full Preview: Florida Football Predictions 2009 (http://www.betfirms.com/florida-gators-predictions-2009/)

2.) Georgia Bulldogs – The offensive line goes from a weakness to a strength this season, and Georgia sports two of the best defensive tackles in the SEC. The Bulldogs had 46 players surgeries since August, and QB Mathew Stafford and RB Knowshon Moreno are gone. Without Stafford and Moreno, the offense won’t be as productive, but nine wins are possible by season’s end. Full Preview: 2009 Georgia Football Predictions (http://www.betfirms.com/georgia-bulldogs-football-2009-predictions/)

3.) Tennessee Volunteers - 2008 SEC Defensive Player of the Year in SS Eric Berry anchors a stout defense, and Lane Kiffin managed to sign a Top-10 recruiting class in his first year on the job. QB play and lack of pass protection are their biggest concerns. New energy and talented recruits should help the Vols win two or three more games than a year ago. Full Preview: Tennessee Football 2009 Predictions (http://www.betfirms.com/tennessee-football-predictions-2009/)

4.) South Carolina Gamecocks – Stephen Garcia finally completed a spring, and LB Eric Norwood didn’t go pro so the Gamecocks have some weapons to work with. But two junior DB’s turned pro early, and all-time leading receiver Kenny McKinley graduated. If Garcia comes through, the Gamecocks could exceed last year’s 7-6 record. Full Preview: South Carolina College Football Predictions 2009 (http://www.betfirms.com/south-carolina-football-2009-predictions/)

5.) Kentucky Wildcats – Three potential NFL draft picks in linebackers Jeremy Jarmon, Micah Johnson and Trevard Lindley didn’t turn pro early, so the Wildcats should be solid again defensively. But Kentucky lost five starters from the SEC’s 11th-ranked defense, and their QB play is shaky while their running backs are only average. A tough early schedule will challenge the Wildcats to make a fourth consecutive bowl.

LINK (http://www.betfirms.com/sec-college-football-predictions-2009/)

[Diz2]

KY VOL may find it hard to recognize college football after this season. The world is going upside-down if you haven't noticed. With all the bad Karma falling on the good ole USA, there must be a silver lining somewhere. Keep digging there's a pony in here!

Seriously, playing close will become close enough toward the end of this season. Look for the UKats to kick em in the vols.! I believe these freshmen will develop very fast with the nucleus of leadership and the coaching staff assembled for their edification. (i.e. learnin')

After UF & Bama, it only gets easier. Really!

[billoliver40]

I'm going to be kind of pessimistic on this, largely due to no 'break' in the schedule...

I'll predict no more than seven wins. We're gonna have to have some mighty big input from lowerclassmen to get that. Depth will not be the problem it WAS, but still an issue in the SEC meatgrinder.

[The Old School JPS]

I found their predictions on a couple of last year's games to be amusing:

Kentucky 27, Louisville 30 (it was Kentucky 27, Louisville 2)

East Carolina 19, Kentucky 13 (it was East Carolina 19, Kentucky 25)

Well, they were right about Kentucky scoring 27 vs. Louisville, and about East Carolina scoring 19 in the Liberty Bowl . . . but they overestimated Louisville's output by 28 points, and underestimated UK's bowl production by 12.

http://www.betfirms.com/kentucky-louisville-odds/

http://www.betfirms.com/kentucky-eastcarolina-picks/

[lilproUK98]

I hope everyone keeps underestimating us.

[johnkyblue]

For the record, I predict we go 0-14 (don't know how we lose the SEC Championship but we do) next season if it helps people underestimate UK.

[John Clay Rice Jr.]

We'll be 10-3. Including a Capitol One victory over tOSU.

[UKFBFAN]

We'll be 10-3. Including a Capitol One victory over tOSU.

This is close to my prediction from last year. I proved then my lack of football knowledge and I'm still smarting from the embarrassment.

This year, I'm not optimistic. I'll be surprised if we win seven. Will I back 'em? Yes, I'll be at all the home games plus the one in Cincinnati. If there's a bowl game, I'll be there too. I just don't think the offense will take us to the promise land. If we get some pitchers and catchers then all bets are off; I just don't see the pieces on the field.

[Will Lavender]

I see the same kind of struggles we had last season. As someone else said, I worry mightily about the QB spot. Thought we would have a fierce defense that might get us a couple more wins...then Jarmongate.

7-5.

[cumberlandredskin]

I think 7-5 too. I believe a lot in karma. The Jarmon thing was very bad karma. The only good thing about that was that there is enough time to overcome it before the season starts.

[johnkyblue]

This is close to my prediction from last year. I proved then my lack of football knowledge and I'm still smarting from the embarrassment.What?!? What does football knowledge have to do with anything? That's for coaches and stuff. All that matters to us is noise. :)

[Copland]

I've thought and thought and thought about this, and here is what I could come up with.

Miami (OH)= Win

We can't fall flat to start the season, or else we look foolish in a decently big setting

Louisville= Win

We gotta win this. Louisville has less talent coming in this year and has less talent returning. This will be their starting QB's first real opponent, and hopefully Micah welcomes him warmly, and firmly. Very, very firmly.

Florida= Loss

I can't see it. Without a doubt, this would be the UK football upset of the century if this happened. It won't be as bad as last season, but it'll be over 20.

Alabama= Loss

Maybe. Just maybe. If we can play Bama being 2-1, and we have kept the Florida game close, then I can see this one. I think they're probably too good for us right now.

South Carolina= Loss

This is a toss-up, but I can see it going to Carolina, simply because of Spurrier have a death grip on UK and it being at home for them. Spurrier will never lose to Kentucky, sorry.

Auburn= Win

I don't really expect Auburn to be much this year and I think we're lucky to have them away. Next game with them, they'll be better, but it'll also be at Commonwealth. And, home field advantage changes everything in college.

Louisiana Monroe= Win

Yeah. I can't see this one any other way.

Mississippi State= Win

This is always a close game, but I think we've got the mental and physical edge over them.

EKU= Win

You don't lose these, period.

Vandy= Win

Payback. Without a doubt in my mind, Brooks fires his kids up and they hit Vandy harder then Vandy has been hit all season. Probably alot of blue in the stands, as usual for this game in Nashville.

Georgia= Loss

This is a loss only because of the lateness. Georgia should have already found their missing pieces for Stafford and Moreno. If this was the SEC opener, maybe it would be different.

Tennessee= Win

Kiffen does well, but doesn't fully understand how important it is to win against Kentucky. His focus is on Florida, Georgia, and Alabama this season. Kentucky wins, Commonwealth goes insane and Rocky Top is quiet for once, finally. People still boo the UT band, people on message boards still wonder why.


Outback Bowl against Iowa or Northwestern= Win

Kentucky seems to be pretty clutch in bowl games. Clemson was supposed to run all over them, but they didn't. ECU was supposed to be way too powerful for Kentucky, but they got stiff-armed at the 10 yard line and had their helmets broken.

9-4, with a chance of 11-2 or 10-3.

[Rusty Slooter]

Long time reader, 1st time poster

I think if we can get ANY consistent play with our QB the sky is the limit. I see us no worse than 8-4

[The Hack]

Rusty, it's good to see you posting. I agree with your pick of 8-4.

If you have been reading WCN for a while, I think you would agree with me that the posts here are generally more polite and well thought out. There is generally not as much chatter here than some places, but a lot less "you suck" types of posts.

This forum is far easier to negotiate and post with a Blackberry, too. :)

[RV]

Long time reader, 1st time poster

I think if we can get ANY consistent play with our QB the sky is the limit. I see us no worse than 8-4

Welcome!

[UKFBFAN]

Hi, rusty Slooter. Come on in.

[catman4life]

Miami(OH) @ Cincy: Cats D too much for the Redhawks to handle. It's close early, but a laugher late as our size and (for once) depth wear them down and we win going away
My pick: W 38-17

Louisville @ UK: Cats have too many returning players and Louisville is struggling with experience and recruiting. Cats "O" beats Yardbirds "D" soundly with a three headed running attack(see Coshik, Fonso, Allen)
My pick: W 31-14

Florida @ UK: Unless Tim Tebow and the first 2 strings for the Gators are ruled ineliglble for this game, we lose. I do believe that it will be much closer than most think, however.
My pick: L 38-28

Alabama @ UK: We were close last year and Alabama already underestimates us(look at their message boards). We run the ball well, which opens up the passing game and Hartline is adequate in helping beating the Tide.
My pick: W 27-21

UK @ South Carolina: Nobody hates the Steve "Superior" streak more than I do. I think it could end this year, but something tells me it won't. Spurrier always has our number. My heart says yes, but my head says no.
My pick: L 31-27

UK @ Auburn: Thank goodness that Auburn is in transition. This should provide a much needed "less difficult" (notice I didn't say easy) game than the previous three. UK's passing game is effective and Fonso/Allen tear up what could be the weakest Auburn line I've seen in a while.
My pick: W 24-17

UL-Monroe @ UK: A much needed respite for the Cats comes in the form of a lesser talented ULM team. Their size, speed and overall talent level are not enough to handle the Cats. A laugher, IMO.
My pick: W 49-14

Miss St @ UK: I pondered long and hard about this one. I just don't think Dan Mullen has the right tools yet to implement the "spread offense" there....yet. The players don't match the system and when that is the case it can get ugly quick.
My pick: W 28-10

EKU @ UK: My brother is an alum and swears that EKU will hold their ground for a while, but I think it's another ULM repeat. Lots of offense from us and sloppy "D" at the end allows a decent EKU offense some points.
My pick: W 56-21

UK @ Vandy: One word: REVENGE. If Coach Brooks has the guys motivated like I think he will, I feel very sorry for Vandy. Their best player from last year(and maybe ever), DJ Moore, is gone. Sorry 'Dores.
My pick: W 38-14

UK @ Georgia: Unfortunately, by the time we roll into Athens, Mark Richt will have replaced Moreno and Stafford with whichever 5 star kid he had waiting. I love Richt's ability as an X and O guy. We lose a close one.
My pick: L 31-28

UT @ UK: I really hope that my children will see me on this day. It will be the day I can jump up and down and scream "We beat UT!!!!!".
My pick: W 24-20

Regular season: 9-3

Outback Bowl vs. Iowa W 31-21

Final record 10-3

[Gunsmoke]

I like that name Rusty Slooter. Too cool.

Prediction 10-2.

[Buck_Naked]

I like that name Rusty Slooter. Too cool.

Prediction 10-2.

Whoa!!! Way too many unanswered questions on offense for me to be anywhere near that optimistic.

Our "D" is supposed to be pretty darn good this coming season, but I've always said holding opponents to 13 points doesn't mean much if you can only score 12.

Looking at the schedule -- and with what I know and don't know about our "O" -- I have to think 6-6 (or maybe 7-5 if we catch a "lucky bounce" somewhere along the way) and another trip to a bowl of the caliber we've won over the past 3 seasons.

Sorry...:shrug1:

[ukwebfan]

Auburn and UT are the keys to this season imo. Although UK will likely be the underdog, both are ripe for a beating with new coaches and new systems to be taught. When was the last time we beat both in the same season?

[Rusty Slooter]

Rusty, it's good to see you posting. I agree with your pick of 8-4.

If you have been reading WCN for a while, I think you would agree with me that the posts here are generally more polite and well thought out. There is generally not as much chatter here than some places, but a lot less "you suck" types of posts.

This forum is far easier to negotiate and post with a Blackberry, too. :)

To be honest, this is exactly what has started my interest in this site. It seems most of the discussions stay related to the topic and are completed in a moral manner. Thanks everyone for the welcoming.

[TrueblueCATfan]

WELCOME RUSTY

I think UK will go 8-4 and we will go to our 4th bowl in a row

[poodoo]

WELCOME to the site, Rusty Slooter. :)

Also, in regard to the predictions, I just don't participate. I can't bring myself to predict a Kentucky loss in ANY game (and I also don't want to assume that any game will automatically be a victory). I do look forward to going bowling again, though, of course, and am most hopeful that it will be a higher bowl. :icon_biggrin:

[ridgerunner]

My hopes are for 12-0. My thoughts are maybe 8-4. My gut feeling is 7-5.

As always with Kentucky Football I feel we are on the verge of something

special. But, one of my fears is we are only a couple of injuries away from

a season of struggling to reach 7-5 or even 6-6. Our schedule is brutal with

no real open dates, and we can ill afford to let down or take a game for

granted. GO CATS!! Play Loose, Play Smart, and NEVER EVER GIVE IN !!!!

[F4F]

I think the end result will be an 8-4 type season but I don't think it will a case of losing to all of the traditional powers and beating everyone else. The players, both Kentucky and opposition, are still essentially youngsters and certainly people who suffer all maladies of being human.

Our talent level has risen and with proportionality, so do wins. Nevertheless there was a time when such a talent deficit existed we couldn't have beaten a traditional power team with fourteen players on the field for us. Those times have changed.

I think we will find a "power" or two not mentally ready to compete and we will be able to take them to the wood shed. Unfortunately there will be a game or two when we leave the stadium troubled and distressed with the so-called lack of effort or poor game preparation which will have led to losing against a lesser talented team. All of this comes under the heading of human and it is the reason things almost never work out the way we forsee them. The end result will be good but we will be playing the "old if-ing" game all the way to spring 2010 regarding a loss or two while forgetting about the "traditional power(s)" we nailed who displayed lack of effort or poor game preparation themselves.

This leads to one more point, the only way I know this scenario is averted is with senior leadership. We all know our senior leadership took a big hit recently.

[dwukfan1]

Yeah I can't see UK going any worse than 7-5. But if we have good QB play and we don't have as many dropped balls as last season, I can see UK going at the most 10-3. But it's basically all on the offense this year to be better because the defense only has to fill jarmon's spot, which will be difficult but i can believe they can fill his spot.So my prediction is that UK goes 9-4 this year.:thumbup:

[dwukfan1]

http://www.betfirms.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/2009-kentucky-football-preview-300x225.jpg



WOW that girl in the middle is hot :thumbup:

[johnkyblue]

All three really.

[b_s_durant]

Predicting a very frustrating 7-5 this season.

Frustrating because we will be right on the edge of 9-3. I think there are too many questions to assume the 9-3 season but, we are going to be close enough in some games that several of us are going to have "episodes" in the stadium parking lot.

[dwukfan1]

All three really.

Yeah:thumbup:

[Diz2]

Predicting a very frustrating 7-5 this season.

Frustrating because we will be right on the edge of 9-3. I think there are too many questions to assume the 9-3 season but, we are going to be close enough in some games that several of us are going to have "episodes" in the stadium parking lot.

Who ya gonna call?
The river of negatively charged protoplasma under Commonwealth stadium parking lot is slowly drying up, but some continue to feed it with their poor-us, Eeyore-esque misgivings. Get me out of here Percy.
It is time that we pronounce some self-fulfilling, positive expectations.! College football records change with preparation and perspiration, but they can't change without expectations of a positive outcome.

Reality is for history lessons and decision making, not for football prognostication. Try not to predict a negative outcome, unless you are certain. You aren't certain.

I see minimum of 4 SEC wins this year, with a wildcat team getting better each week. The missing ingredient that no one is discussing, is our special teams.
Look ahead! Brooks Boyz are doing it right and their time has come to be our Bluz Busters.:cool:

[b_s_durant]

Who ya gonna call?
The river of negatively charged protoplasma under Commonwealth stadium parking lot is slowly drying up, but some continue to feed it with their poor-us, Eeyore-esque misgivings. Get me out of here Percy.
It is time that we pronounce some self-fulfilling, positive expectations.! College football records change with preparation and perspiration, but they can't change without expectations of a positive outcome.

Reality is for history lessons and decision making, not for football prognostication. Try not to predict a negative outcome, unless you are certain. You aren't certain.

I see minimum of 4 SEC wins this year, with a wildcat team getting better each week. The missing ingredient that no one is discussing, is our special teams.
Look ahead! Brooks Boyz are doing it right and their time has come to be our Bluz Busters.:cool:

While I agree with your sentiments, I beg to differ on your approach. When we are talking about predictions for next season, we are all making guesses. We ALL want them to do amazing things and we ALL hope for a wonderful season. It just makes more sense to me to think about it more logically and remember that we have a VERY inexperienced corps of receivers and a quarterback who doesn't have the strongest arm on the planet. While I would LOVE to be proven wrong this season, I still see us losing a couple of heartbreakers as the season goes on.

Just my two cents though...:shrug1:

[Roper92391]

Miami (OH)---W
Louisville---W
Florida---L
Alabama---L
South Carolina---W
Auburn---W
Louisiana-Monroe---W
Mississippi State---W
Eastern Kentucky---W
Vanderbilt---W
Georgia---L
Tennessee---L

I see 8-4 with a Bowl win (4 in a row)...9-4 :)

[RV]

Miami O in Cincinnati and the birdies in Commonwealth.
We should win both those games.

We play Florida the week following the ul game and most will mark that up as a loss for sure. Problem for the Gators is they play us at our place and we're sandwiched on their schedule between the UT Kiffins and the LSU Tigers. After the Gators beat the stuffins out of the dreaded orange they will pay us no mind (afterall they beat us 100-0 in '08 or something like that) and will be looking ahead to the LSU game. We might just sneak up on them.

We then host the 'bammers and we showed them last year we could play with them at their place so why can't we take them at our place?

We then travel to SC and wouldn't you love to wipe that smirk of the ole ball coach's face? I know I would.

We follow up that win with a trip to the plains of Auburn and catch a team in transition with a new staff. I like our chances in this one.

We then have our own trap game against La Monroe and we must keep our guard up or face the consequences.

We then host MSU at home against another first year coach in a game we should win.

Next we play EKU at home in what should be our easiest test of the season.

We go down the home stretch by visiting Vandy and Georgia. The 'dores game is a very winnable one and we always seem to play well against the Dawgs.

We finish up the season against those same UT Kiffins and by then they won't look so invincible. I really like our chances in that game.

One week later we head to Atlanta ...


Actually, while we could get beat by almost every team on our schedule, I believe there is no team on it we can't beat - if we play the way we are capable of playing. I expect a fourth straight bowl game but this one in a warm environment.

[Blue4ever]

6-6 Typically we'll steal a win and lose one we shouldn't.

[trueUKgamer]

i see many breakthrough wins this year. UT to start. and Auburn and Alabama which we had last year at their place.
So.. perdictions eh.........
4-0 in OOC
Florida L This could be a W if they kill UT and look ahead to LSU then it could be an upset
Alabama W i think we handle this jokers and prove in this game that our DEs are ready for the challenge.
South Carolina W?L This is a measuring stick game. i think we are better but do we get tired from the last two games and is first road game too much.
Auburn W?L This is a scary game because this :shrug1: is what the team is. They didn't lose much to the NFL and their OC has the last three #1 offense in the country sticker. should be close.
Miss st W should be a win bc this is week 9 in the season(w/ bye week)
Vandy W payback. this is one of the games that vandy HAS to win to get a hope of going to another bowl. not going to happen though
Geogria L We play them close but sometimes the home field advantage is too much. They do play Auburn(a big rival) and @ georgia tech before and after us so could be another upset like Florida.
Tennesse W at home 0 offense for UT and Senior night for Micah and Trevard and ever senior, which is one last chance to break though.
so that is 8-2-2 being W-L-?. I think that @USC and @ AU are winnable though. i see 8-4 9-3 or 10-2 all as possiblitties. It can also be better but i will take 9-3.
GBB!!!!!!!!:widcat:

[Copland]

I'm a big fan of Yahoo! Sports, mostly because they have alot of various sources used for their stuff.

But, recently, they've been doing a pre-season preview of all of the D-1 teams. They started with 5 at a time until they got to their top 50, and now they're doing 1 a day.

Basically, I have expected UK to come up several times in the 65-51 range, and they haven't. They haven't gotten to UK yet, and they just did #50 today.

However, there are 5 teams that UK plays this season who are rated lower then UK, and I feel like all 5 of those are winnable games. Those would be Auburn, Vandy, Louisville, Mississippi State, and Miami-Ohio.

You all should check out the ratings as they're coming out, they keep making me more and more excited when I realize that UK is not their featured team of the day. At this point, I'm overly happy for top 50, and top 40 or better would make me dance a little.

[BlueBoy44]

Coming off a frustrating season but a nice close as we finish a 7-6 season. But with an awful SEC record, this year shows room for improvement.

This season has many opportunities for Kentucky football to succeed. This years schedule is tough, but all to expect with a typical SEC schedule.
2 great new QB's coming in for all the more to help, hopefully to get some points on the board. With Randy Sanders now at Offensive Coordinator, will hopefully help us succeed a little more with this offence. Our offence has some potential to be almost as good as the 2007 offence with these new changes.

1. @ Miami of Ohio- First game of the season, non-conference team, get to see our offence start to develop. Win
23-7
1-0.

2. Louisville- Coming off of an early open week, with time to correct mistakes made. And with Louisville sadly having a down season. Win 31-14.
2-0.

3. Florida- Here is where things get really tough. Glad to see the SEC get of to a hot start, this will help the team get ready.. But the Gators being as good as last year or better. Loss 37-13
This loss will only help the team get ready for the other opponents we'll have to face.
2-1 (0-1)

4. Alabama- Coming off a loss. This will be a close defensive battle, but we will shut down late in the 4th. Loss 27-20
2-2 (0-2)

5. @ South Carolina- The last time we played the Gamecocks in S.C. A Thursday Night, that did not go so well. This game usually seems to always be a toss up. But coming off of 2 losses the team rebuilds and pulls a surprising first SEC Road victory and shows the birth of the newer offence and the strong defense hold on late. Win 17-13
3-2 (1-2)

** By this time we will have a pretty good conclusion on who the starting QB will be. **

6. @ Auburn- Second straight SEC road game will be long and tiring day for the Wildcats. Offence is some sort of funk. A frustrating loss, due from to many turnovers. 34-20.
3-3 (1-3)

**These games mostly depend on how bad Injuries take place in this part of the season. ** :shrug1:

7. Louisiana-Monroe- Back at home, pretty easy non-Conference team, the last time we played these guys was a pretty scary game.. This time will be little different. The offence will seem to finally click. Win 37-17
4-3 (1-3)

8. Mississippi State- These guys always play us tough. With the Wildcats needing a SEC victory. The defense stays strong and the offense becomes too much to handle for the Bulldogs. Win 31-27
5-3 (2-3)

9. Eastern Kentucky- Another non-conference team. The Cats become bowl eligible for the 4th straight season. We win 3 straight. 32-10
6-3 (2-3)

10. @ Vanderbilt- This team is going to be a strong opponent in the future. The Wildcats seem to be good at regaining what they lost the season before. (besides UF and UT of course) A very close but an impressive win and a great performance from the QB. Win 27-21
7-3 (3-3)

*We will win one of these two games, indecisive on which one*

11. @ Georgia- We have seemed to play these guys though the past couple years. But down between the Hedges becomes too much to handle as the Bulldogs snag this one late in 2nd OT 30-27
7-4 (3-4)

12. Tennessee- New coach on board, who has a big mouth. Still stuck at 7 games. Senior day.. Tennessee had their emotional win last year. I don't care, we are going to win this game, it is about time we beat the Vols!! :widcat:
Victory in the Bluegrass!!! As the 2009 season is coming to a close.

It will be a disappointment if we finish the season below 8-4 (4-4)

Bowl Prediction

Peach Bowl- Against a strong ACC team probably, Boston College, Georgia Tech, or Wake Forest.

[UKFBFAN]

A good, honest appraisal. 'Hope you're right.

[BigblueDrew]

My two "worry" spots are the same as last year. O-Line and Quarterback. Our O-line was very bad in SEC play. Couldn't run the ball worth a darn. Mike Hartline is average at best, not sure he made more than 1 decent down field(20 yards+) throw a game. Just doesn't seem to "have it" IMO. I HOPE we play our freshmen early and see if one of them catches fire. Our defense could be the best we have seen since the Art Still days. We have some BIGTIME linebackers (a MUST in SEC games). Our secondary will be strong, perhaps a bit thin at DE. I think injuries or lack thereof will tell the tale on that side of the ball. IMO the season will boil down to can our D hold the fort for the first few games until one of the freshman QB's are ready. Then I wonder if Coach Brooks can bring himself to pull the trigger and trust the team to one of them. I hope so because if Hartline is still the starting QB in OCT. we go 5-7. If we get some good O-line play and a new QB we could go 8-4 or 7-5. Finally the key game on our schedule is at USC as it has been for the last 2 years. We have to win that game for anything special to happen.

[BlueBoy44]

My two "worry" spots are the same as last year. O-Line and Quarterback. Our O-line was very bad in SEC play. Couldn't run the ball worth a darn. Mike Hartline is average at best, not sure he made more than 1 decent down field(20 yards+) throw a game. Just doesn't seem to "have it" IMO. I HOPE we play our freshmen early and see if one of them catches fire. Our defense could be the best we have seen since the Art Still days. We have some BIGTIME linebackers (a MUST in SEC games). Our secondary will be strong, perhaps a bit thin at DE. I think injuries or lack thereof will tell the tale on that side of the ball. IMO the season will boil down to can our D hold the fort for the first few games until one of the freshman QB's are ready. Then I wonder if Coach Brooks can bring himself to pull the trigger and trust the team to one of them. I hope so because if Hartline is still the starting QB in OCT. we go 5-7. If we get some good O-line play and a new QB we could go 8-4 or 7-5. Finally the key game on our schedule is at USC as it has been for the last 2 years. We have to win that game for anything special to happen.


Not totally disagreeing with you here. But with help from a freshman QB that helped more at WR last year, MH did finish as 7-6 with a pretty decent performance at the Liberty Bowl. With MH at starting QB as much as last year, I don't see us being any worse (5-7) he will improve a lot and with more options to throw to, we'll be in better shape with him at starting QB. (with some help from Newtom and Mossacowski, sp?) No matter how good you are, I don't see how a true Freshman QB with not a whole lot of time to learn the whole offence can give us 2 or 3 more wins (possibly in the SEC) then a returning JR QB. Maybe a 2nd year QB. This teams talent is young. I say this year will be a game or 2 different then last year. It won't be until next season when things really start to click.

[Roper92391]

Miami (OH)---W, 31-14.....(1-0, 0-0)
Louisville---W, 38-10.....(2-0, 0-0)
#1 Florida---L, 45-30.....(2-1, 0-1)
#5 Alabama---L, 38-21.....(2-2, 0-2)
South Carolina---W, 24-21.....(3-2, 1-2)
Auburn---W, 21-13.....(4-2, 2-2)
Louisiana-Monroe---W, 42-17.....(5-2, 2-2)
Mississippi State---W, 36-16.....(6-2, 3-2)
Eastern Kentucky---W, 44-11.....(7-2, 3-2)--Kentucky ranked #22 after
Vanderbilt---W, 24-20.....(8-2, 4-2)--Kentucky ranked #18 after
#12 Georgia---L, 30-17.....(8-3, 4-3)--Kentucky ranked #20 after
Tennessee---L, 26-13.....(8-4, 4-4)--Kentucky ranked #24 after

Music City Bowl
#16 Georgia Tech---W, 35-32.....(9-4, 4-4)--Kentucky ranked #23 after

[RV]

Miami (OH)---W, 31-14.....(1-0, 0-0)
Louisville---W, 38-10.....(2-0, 0-0)
#1 Florida---L, 45-30.....(2-1, 0-1)
#5 Alabama---L, 38-21.....(2-2, 0-2)
South Carolina---W, 24-21.....(3-2, 1-2)
Auburn---W, 21-13.....(4-2, 2-2)
Louisiana-Monroe---W, 42-17.....(5-2, 3-2)
Mississippi State---W, 36-16.....(6-2, 4-2)
Eastern Kentucky---W, 44-11.....(7-2, 5-2)--Kentucky ranked #22 after
Vanderbilt---W, 24-20.....(8-2, 6-2)--Kentucky ranked #18 after
#12 Georgia---L, 30-17.....(8-3, 6-3)--Kentucky ranked #20 after
Tennessee---L, 26-13.....(8-4, 6-4)--Kentucky ranked #24 after

Music City Bowl
#16 Georgia Tech---W, 35-32.....(9-4, 6-4)--Kentucky ranked #23 after

LaMonroe and EKU aren't in the SEC ...

... unless I've really missed something. ;)

[billoliver40]

Just a guess:
Miami of O....w
Louisville......w
Florida..........L
Bama............w (yeah, I know...)
Auburn.........L
Eastern........w
Miss st.........w
Georgia........L
South Carolina...L
Vandy.........W
Tennessee...(sigh) L

7-5. With luck, 8-4. With bad luck, 5-7 (Bama, Vandy, and Miss State are
definitely not guarantees...neither is Louisville, for that matter)

Could be a season to remember.....or try to forget.

[Roper92391]

LaMonroe and EKU aren't in the SEC ...

... unless I've really missed something. ;)

Oh haha...thanks..I wasn't even thinking, I fell like an idiot now, I'm just used to teams playing in-conference later in the season..my apologies, I do know my SEC teams haha. Thanks for the correction.

[bourbonman]

Oh haha...thanks..I wasn't even thinking, I fell like an idiot now, I'm just used to teams playing in-conference later in the season..my apologies, I do know my SEC teams haha. Thanks for the correction.
But you got us to 6 conference wins. Way to go!

[poodoo]

But you got us to 6 conference wins. Way to go!

:thumbup: Good catch and way to go yourself, bourbonman (as most everyone knows that I always like emphasizing the positive)! :icon_mrgreen:

[Buck_Naked]

Honestly, who knows how it will turn out. I've been saying 6-6 for over a month now, so I think I'll stick with that.

I have to admit though, I'm thoroughly confused over all the posts that assume we'll just waltz in to Auburn's back yard and beat them like it's no big deal. :shrug1:

I don't care if they are rebuilding or that they're perceived to be "down" this year; it's still Auburn at Auburn. A win for UK would be a huge upset IMO.

[Roper92391]

But you got us to 6 conference wins. Way to go!

Haha, you're welcome.

[dcat]

lose to gators, bama and dogs...go 9-3 with a toasty warm bowl win :shrug1:

[KENtuckyCatman]

I like your optimism but really?

I like 9-3 too. I look at the schedule and I see 6-6 if the offense is as stagnant as last year. But if the backs can contribute, and Matthews and Cobb play as expected, they very well could be the surprise of the SEC this year. Lots of ifs, lots of time... but I can't wait for it to start!