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Kentucky’s Biggest Games Of 2021

Kentucky's Biggest Games Of 2021

Five Games That Could Shape The Season

Ask any coach about their schedule and you’ll usually get the same response. “Every game is equally important and you have to take it one game at a time.” Of course, we all know every game isn’t created equal and some are much more important than others. In the case of the Kentucky Wildcats, that’s certainly the case with this year’s schedule. As we look at Kentucky’s Biggest Games Of 2021 we focus on five games which could turn a good season into a great one should things fall the right way.

Getting Back On Track

Missouri- September 11th- Mark Stoops’ Wildcats start conference play with a big time match up. Eli Drinkwitz’s  Tigers are the trendy dark horse pick in the SEC East in 2021. Before last season Kentucky had won five straight against Missouri. However that ended a season ago when the Cats fell 20-10 in Columbia. You could easily throw that game out due to the squad being without their offensive line coach John Schlarman. Sadly the architect of “The Big Blue Wall” died shortly after the Missouri game. A full house is expected as this is the first contest without COVID restrictions on attendance at Kroger Field.  The winner in this game has a big leg up in the SEC East pecking order.

It Has To End Sometime

Florida- October 2nd- One of the more bizarre streaks in college football history is the Wildcats’ streak of futility against the Gators. The Cats finally broke a 31 game losing streak in “The Swamp” in 2018. However UK hasn’t beat Florida in Lexington since 1986. If you’re keeping score the last time UK won at home “Crocodile Dundee” was the number movie and yours truly was a high school junior. Furthermore that comes to 16 consecutive losses against Florida.

It’s not like the Cats haven’t had chances. The last three games Kentucky’s led at some point late in the game only to blow it. That includes a major 4th quarter meltdown two years ago. If Kentucky’s ever going to crack the upper echelon of the SEC East they have to beat Florida. Maybe the fact the game’s a little later this year helps the Cats.

Continuing on with Kentucky’s Biggest Games Of 2021 we stay in the SEC East and another streaks that needs broken.

Competing With The Big Dogs

At Georgia- October 16th- Not to sound like a broken record but the Cats sport another long losing streak against an SEC member. The last time Kentucky defeated the Bulldogs was back in 2009. In addition the last win in Lexington happened in 2006. After one year out of the top spot Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs look like the team to beat in the east once again. Much like beating Florida in order for UK to ever become a top team they have to beat the Bulldogs. Playing in Athens it doesn’t seem likely but you never know.

Looking For Two In A Row

Tennessee- November 6th- Nearly as infuriating for the BBN as the losing streak to Florida is the one against Tennessee. However unlike the Gators it looks like the tide is turning against their neighbors to the south. Kentucky dropped 26 straight against the Vols and 30 of 31 from 1985- 2016. Over the last four years UK has gone 2-2 including a 34-7 blow out last season. That marked their first win in Knoxville since 1984. A win in Lexington this year gives the Cats their first back to back wins over Tennessee since 1976-77. Furthermore it cements the thought UK is not only on the same level as UT if not a notch above.

Wrapping up Kentucky’s Biggest Games Of 2021 is a battle for in-state bragging rights.

Owning Their Home State

At Louisville- November 27th- After a one year absence the “Battle For The Governor’s Cup” returns. The two teams had met every year since 1994 until last year’s game was cancelled due to the SEC’s all-league schedule. Kentucky’s won three of the last four in the series after dropping five in a row to the Cards. In fact the Wildcats’ have outscored UL 101-23 over the last two meetings.

Two years ago it was a record setting day for Kentucky in a 45-13 drubbing. Led by a career day from Lynn Bowden of 284 yards rushing and four touchdowns, the Cats set a school record of 517 yards on the ground. Playing at home Scott Satterfield’s Cards hope to end their streak against Kentucky. For the Cats another win, especially a big one, only enhances their spot as the top dog in the state.

Those are our picks for Kentucky’s Biggest Games Of 2021. What are your thoughts? Should another game like LSU or Mississippi State be on the list? Let us know in the comment section below or on Twitter. We are less than two months away from the season opener and Last Word On College Football has you covered with great Kentucky content. Next time out we’ll take a deep look into the 2021 team starting with the quarterbacks.

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