The Kentucky Wildcats play five games away from Kroger Field this season. These games feature match ups with three of their biggest rivals. In addition, Mark Stoops’ club visits a place the school hasn’t played in over 60 years. We are going to rate each of the contests from least to best chances of victory. Let’s begin Ranking Kentucky’s 2018 Road Games By Winnability.
Ranking Kentucky’s 2018 Road Games By Winnability
Not Since The Bear Roamed The Sidelines
Number 5- October 6th- At Texas A&M- Kentucky and Texas A&M have only met twice in history with each team winning once. Under Bear Bryant Kentucky visited College Station in 1952 with the Cats winning 10-7. The Aggies returned the favor the next season with a 7-6 win in Lexington. Following the 1953 season, Bryant left Kentucky for Texas A&M and the rest became college football history.
This year’s Aggies club features new head coach Jimbo Fisher who left Florida State after eight seasons. This game will feature a high powered offense versus what should be a strong Kentucky defense.
However, this is the last in a stretch of three straight tough conference games with South Carolina and Mississippi State before. Kentucky has lost nine straight road games at SEC West opponents by an average margin of 21 points. That along with the 12th Man at Kyle Field makes this the most likely loss on the schedule.
Offensive Fireworks
Number 4- October 27th- At Missouri- The Cats begin a tough final five games of the season as they head to Columbia for a date with the Tigers.
With quarterback Drew Lock returning, Barry Odom’s club is considered a dark horse in the SEC East. They are loaded on offense however can the defense stop anyone?
Kentucky has won the last three in the series, including 35-21 win in Columbia two years ago. The question is can the Wildcats score enough points to match Missouri.
Battle For The Governor’s Cup
Number 3- November 24th- At Louisville- Lamar Jackson now plays for the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL. Sophomore Jawon Pass has the unenviable task of replacing the school’s only Heisman winner.
It has been an eventful off-season for the Cards with all the controversy surrounding “Papa” John Schnatter. His use of racial slurs caused his company to be removed as the sponsor of the Louisville stadium.
Depending on how their respective seasons go, this game could be for a bowl bid. Each team would love nothing more than to be the reason the other stays home in December. In addition whoever wins in 2018 takes the lead in the series which is tied at 15 wins apiece.
Two year’s ago Kentucky went into the game a four touchdown underdog and pulled the 41-38 upset.
As we continue Ranking Kentucky’s 2018 Road Games By Winnability, it is time to look at the two games the Cats may be most likely to win. In order to do that Kentucky will have to do something they haven’t done in decades.
Trying To Break Two Long Losing Streaks
Number 2- September 8th- At Florida- Of course everyone knows about the 31-game losing streak to the Gators. In addition the last time the Cats won in Gainesville was 1979.
Florida has a new coach on the sidelines in Dan Mullen, who returns to his alma mater after nine seasons at Mississippi State. Kentucky went 1-8 against him while in Starkville.
2017 was a disaster for Florida, going 4-7 and missing out on a bowl game for only the second time since 1986. Truth be told, the Cats should have won three of the last four games against the Gators including last season’s 28-27 debacle.
While playing in “The Swamp” is not an ideal location for a first away game, playing early in the season could be a benefit. It may take a little time to get Mullen’s system fully implemented so Kentucky could be catching them at a good time.
Number 1- November 10th- At Tennessee- It’s tough to pick Kentucky’s best chance for a road win at a place they haven’t won since 1984. However the Volunteer program is in full rebuilding mode.
Former Alabama assistant Jeremy Pruitt takes over after the Butch Jones debacle. The Vols went 4-8 last season and finished winless in the SEC for the first time ever.
After losing 26 straight to Tennessee, the Cats have won two of the last seven. The last time Kentucky beat both Florida and Tennessee in the same season was 1977. For Stoops’ club to finally take that next step in the SEC they have to beat the Gators and Vols.
Thanks for checking out Ranking Kentucky’s 2018 Road Games By Winnability here at Last Word On College Football. Next times we rank the Wildcats chances of winning each of their seven home games.
