2011 Kentucky Football Predictions

Written by Steve Janus

The Kentucky Wildcats earned a trip to their fifth consecutive bowl game after going 6-6 (2-6 SEC) in the regular season. The Wildcats ended up losing to Pittsburgh 10-27 in the Compass Bowl, but for a program that had been to just two bowl games the previous 10 years its a successful season. The last three years the Wildcats haven’t had more than 11 starters back from the previous year, but will have 16 starters back for the upcoming 2011 season. However, they lose three of their top offensive players, in quarterback Mike Hartline, running back Derrick Lock, and wide receiver/running back Randall Cobb.

Replacing those players won’t be easy, but with so much talent coming back there is plenty of reason for the Wildcats to be optimistic about making it to a sixth straight bowl game. To get a better idea of what Kentucky will look like this season, let’s take a look at who they will send to the field on both sides of the ball, plus I will give my prediction on where they will finish the year in the SEC East.

Offense:

No one really expected much out of Hartline when he won the job heading into last year, but he really put together a fine season. He threw for 3,178 yards with 23 touchdowns to just nine interceptions. Junior Morgan Newton is the leading candidate to take over the starting job this fall. Newton started eight games as a true freshman, and also started in the bowl game last year (Hartline was suspended). If Newton isn’t the answer, look for Kentucky to turn to true freshman Maxwell Smith.

At running back the Wildcats lose their top three leading rushers from last season. Locke led the way with 887 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Cobb contributed 424 yards and five scores. It looks as though sophomore Raymond Sessions has the early lead on the starting job heading into the fall, but could also turn to redshirt freshman Brandon Gainer.

The Wildcats also lose their top two receiving threats from a year ago. Cobb, who was arguably the MVP of the offense, led the way with 84 catches for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns. Also gone is Chris Matthews, who had 61 catches for 925 yards and 9 touchdowns. Kentucky does bring back junior wide out La’Rod King, who finished third on the team with 36 catches for 478 yards and five touchdowns. Added to the starting mix will likely be senior Matt Roark and sophomore Brian Adams.

The strength of the offense comes up front on the offensive line. Kentucky has four starters back from a year ago. This unit features two of the best guards in the conference in junior right guard Larry Warford and senior left guard Stuart Hines. The only change comes at right tackle, where senior Billy Joe Murphy should fill in nicely.

Defense:

With so much talent lost on the offensive side of the ball, it will be up to the Kentucky defense to carry the load this season. The only spot on this side of the ball that doesn’t return a starter is at one of the defensive tackle spots. Sophomore Mister Cobble will battle junior Taylor Wyndham this fall for the opportunity to start along side sophomore Donte Rumph.

At linebacker the Wildcats will feature one of the best players in the conference in senior Danny Trevathan, who easily led the team in tackles with 144. senior Winston Guy finished second on the team with 106 tackles last year as the starting strong safety, but is expected to move up to linebacker this season.

Kentucky did a nice job against the pass last year, holding opponents to just 177 yards through the air. Even with Guy moving to linebacker, this unit will start four players that all have experience at starting in the secondary. I see no reason why this unit won’t be just as good, if not better than it was a year ago.

SEC Prediction: 5th SEC East - While normally having 16 starters back will lead a much higher prediction in my preseason rankings, I think the offense is going to take a huge hit with the losses of Hartline, Locke, and Cobb. The defense should be solid, but it is no means good enough to just completely shutdown the opposing team. I think the best bet is another 6-6 finish in 2011.

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Other Resources:

Bettors World – Will struggle to be bowl-eligible this season.

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