4. Kentucky Wildcats (8-4, 4-4)
Kentucky always seems to be a year away from contending, and this team is no different. Solid in most places, spectacular in none, the Wildcats need to find a way to advance to the next step of the plan before the Kentucky faithful begin to question whether the Mark Stoops-led staff is ever going to be good enough to push this team forward.
Rankings (Ex, Vg, Av, Fr, Pr)
| Quarterbacks: Av Running Backs: Av Wide Receivers: Vg Offensive Line: Fr | Defensive Line: Vg Linebackers: Av Defensive Backs: Av Special Teams: Fr |
Offense: What could go right
North Carolina State transfer QB Devin Leary takes over for Will Levis, and that may actually be a good thing. Levis was a big guy with dynamic talents, but also made questionable decisions at times and didn’t do well when pressured, which was often. Leary may have a better passing skillset even if he lacks Levis’ high-end athleticism. The wide receiver group should be more than solid, bolstered by what could end up being a tight end group capable of challenging Georgia’s. Vanderbilt transfer RB Ray Davis should help soften the blow of losing the dynamic Chris Rodriguez.
Offense: What could go wrong
The offensive line was bad in 2022 and still isn’t fixed with the season just around the corner. The Wildcats have issues at tackle, and OL struggles probably made the biggest impact on Levis’ worst performances of 2022. While the top four or so receivers are just about as good as anyone’s, Kentucky always seems to have to deal with a sharp falloff in depth at the skill positions. Former offensive coordinator Liam Coen is back after a year in the NFL, but is the saying that “you can’t go home again” actually true?
Defense: What could go right
The front has some depth and the Wildcats aren’t lacking for experience. Tackle Deone Walker is one of the best in the league, and he’s got plenty of help across the front. The linebackers should be OK but that statement is based more on prep reputation than proven contributions at the moment. On special teams, Kentucky’s return units are top-notch.
Defense: What could go wrong
The secondary is a patchwork of transfers and holdovers from a 2022 unit that was mostly wiped out by graduation. Kentucky has to identify a completely new cornerback rotation. The linebackers could end up being just as strong as the defensive line but there’s a boom-bust possibility here, too, especially if Kentucky can’t solidify the weakside position in short order. The kicking game wasn’t in the best shape in 2022 and committed too many technical errors.
One-sentence summary: Another solid Wildcat team, but one that just doesn’t have the guns for a big fight.
Kentucky may be doomed to stay in the land of 8-4 for a few years, at least until this coaching staff either learns how to crack the code on modern recruiting, or the two simply part ways. Kentucky plays spirited defense and Stoops, overall, has been a steadying force on the program. But Kentucky also lacks big-time explosiveness, and Stoops seems to struggle to keep his teams’ heads in the game over the course of a season, especially if the Wildcats fall victim to an early loss.
Next: 5. Florida Gators