Predicting The Kentucky Wildcats 2018 Football Record
A season ago Mark Stoops’ Wildcats finished 7-6 for a second straight year and made a second consecutive bowl game. Can the Cats make it three in a row for only the third time in school history? Let’s find out as we begin Predicting The Kentucky Wildcats 2018 Football Record.
The Season Opener
September 1st vs. Central Michigan- The Chippewas finished 8-5 last season losing in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. However, they only return 10 starters and are picked last in the Mid-American Conference.
This should be a good game to get quarterbacks Gunnar Hoak and Terry Wilson some valuable experience.
Kentucky 31-14 UK 1-0 0-0 SEC
Trying To Break The Streak
September 8th at Florida- Everyone knows about the longest current losing streak against an opponent which now stands at 31. Three of the last four years Kentucky could and probably should have beaten the Gators.
Dan Mullen takes over in Gainesville after nine seasons at Mississippi State. He inherits a bit of a mess as Florida went 4-7 last season missing a bowl game. In addition there have also been numerous off the field problems.
Kentucky went 1-8 against Mullen while at MSU and will come close yet again before the streak goes to 32.
Florida 23-20 UK 1-1 0-1 SEC
Easiest Game On The Schedule
September 15th- Murray State- The Cats welcome the in-state Racers for a battle at Kroger Field. MSU went 3-8 last season playing in the Ohio Valley Conference.
The goal in this game is to dominate early and give reps to the second and even third stringers. Furthermore you don’t want anyone to get hurt in what should be a cake walk.
Kentucky 49-10 UK 2-1 0-1 SEC
A Tough Trio Of Games
September 22nd- Mississippi State- New coach Joe Moorhead inherits a squad many feel can challenge in the SEC West. Behind Nick Fitzgerald, Aeris Williams and a tough defense this is one of maybe two games where the Cats may be outmatched. The Bulldogs have won nine of the last 11 in this series and will add another in this contest.
Mississippi State 34-20 UK 2-2 0-2 SEC
September 29th- South Carolina- Despite the Gamecocks recent success, Kentucky has won four in a row against USC. Will Muschamp‘s squad is considered by many as a real threat to Georgia in the SEC East.
While they may not admit it publicly, the fact virtually no one gives Kentucky a chance to win is a sore spot with the players. The Cats make it five in a row in what should be a whale of a game.
Kentucky 28-24 UK 3-2 1-2 SEC
October 6th- At Texas A&M- The last time Kentucky played in College Station was 1952. Bear Bryant led the Wildcats to a 10-7 victory. The next season the Aggies returned the favor winning 7-6 in Lexington.
Expectations in Texas are higher than ever with Jimbo Fisher taking over from Kevin Sumlin. This game has the making of an offensive shootout with the home team getting the win.
Texas A&M 35-21 UK 3-3 1-3 SEC
That takes us through the first half of the season with Kentucky sporting a .500 record. As we continue Predicting The Kentucky Wildcats 2018 Football Record, let’s look at the back half of the schedule.
Looking To Continue A Winning Streak
October 20th- Vanderbilt- After their bye week, the Wildcats play host to the Commodores. Kentucky has won three of the last four in the series including an easy 44-21 win in Nashville in 2017.
Behind Kyle Shurmur the Vandy offense will put up some points, however the Wildcats will put up a whole lot more.
Kentucky 38-17 UK 4-3 2-3 SEC
An Offensive Shootout
October 27th- At Missouri- Kentucky closes out the month of October with a visit to Columbia to face the Tigers. After starting the season 1-5 Barry Odom‘s club won their last six before losing to Texas in the Texas Bowl.
Behind quarterback Drew Lock, Albert Okwuegbunam and a talented cast on offense, the Tigers will score a ton of points. However the question is can the defense stop anyone? The first one to 45 points wins this contest. Kentucky wins their fourth straight against the Tigers.
Kentucky 49-38 UK 5-3 3-3 SEC
Toughest Game On The Schedule
November 3rd- Georgia- After coming so close to wining the National Title last season, the SEC East favorite visits Lexington. With the exception of the 2016 game where the Bulldogs won at the buzzer, Stoops has lost every game to Georgia by more than 20 points.
Not getting blown out in the contest would be a big step forward for the program. However, that doesn’t seem to be the most likely scenario.
Georgia 42-21 UK 5-4 3-4 SEC
Trying To Break Another Losing Streak
November 10th- At Tennessee- The last time Kentucky won in Knoxville was back in 1984 with most of the lossses being blowouts. New coach Jeremy Pruitt is trying to make the Vol Nation forget the Butch Jones era ever happened.
This is the Wildcats best chance for a win in Knoxville in a long time. The Cats become bowl eligible for a third straight year with a huge road victory in their last conference game of the year.
Kentucky 27-20 UK 6-4 4-4 SEC
A Sneaky Tough Test
November 17th- Middle Tennessee- Two years ago Southern Mississippi came into Lexington and knocked off the Cats. Now another Conference USA squad tries to do the same.
The pass happy Blue Raiders’ offensive coordinator is Tony Franklin, who helped usher in the Air Raid offense with the Wildcats 20 years ago. More than likely this is a high scoring battle which remains tight into the second half. Eventually the Cats pull away for a hard fought victory.
Kentucky 41-24 UK 7-4 4-4 SEC
Battle For The Governor’s Cup
November 24- At Louisville- Kentucky wraps up the regular season heading up Interstate 64 for a battle with the Cardinals. This will be the 25th meeting between the two schools since the rivalry was renewed in 1994.
How Jawon Pass handles taking over the reigns at quarterback for Lamar Jackson will likely determine the Cardinals season. The Wildcats won two years ago as a four touchdown underdog and would love to get another road win. However Bobby Petrino’s club finds a way yet again to beat the Cats.
Louisville 31-27 UK 7-5 4-4 SEC
That gives Kentucky a 7-5 record for a third consecutive season. In addition, this is only the third time in school history the Wildcats go bowling three straight years. We are predicting they head to the Liberty Bowl in Memphis for a battle against the ageless wonder Bill Snyder and the Kansas State Wildcats.
What’s your prediction for the 2018 season? Let us know in the comments section or tweet your response. Thanks for checking out Predicting The Kentucky Wildcats 2018 Football Record with us here at Last Word On College Football. Next week we will get you ready for the season opener against Central Michigan.
