{"id":31148,"date":"2020-09-25T13:00:38","date_gmt":"2020-09-25T17:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=31148"},"modified":"2020-09-24T08:43:42","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T12:43:42","slug":"previewing-kentucky-at-auburn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2020\/09\/25\/previewing-kentucky-at-auburn\/","title":{"rendered":"Previewing Kentucky At Auburn"},"content":{"rendered":"

Heading into 2020\u00a0Mark Stoops’ <\/a>Kentucky Wildcats have gone 18-8 over the last two seasons. That’s the best two year stretch for the program since 1976-77. Were this a normal season Kentucky’s opener would have been against Eastern Michigan. However this is anything but a normal year. With the SEC going to a 10 game conference only schedule\u00a0 <\/a>the Cats kick off the season with a league game for the first time since playing Georgia Tech in 1960. In addition they begin at one of the toughest places in the SEC. Can they pick up a huge road win? Let’s find out as we begin previewing Kentucky at Auburn.<\/p>\n

Previewing Kentucky At Auburn<\/h2>\n

Terry Touchdown’s Return<\/h3>\n

It’s been a little over a year, September 7, 2019 to be exact, since starting quarterback Terry Wilson <\/a>went down to a\u00a0torn patellar tendon. <\/a>\u00a0Now he’s back and ready to lead the Wildcat offense. In his two years at Kentucky Wilson’s gone 12-3 as a starter and led UK to their first New Year’s bowl win since 1952. More than likely offensive coordinator Eddie Gran<\/strong> will start slowly with his quarterback. Which is fine because Kentucky has one of the best\u00a0groups of running backs in the SEC. <\/a>\u00a0The trio of\u00a0A.J. Rose,\u00a0<\/a>Kavosiey Smoke<\/a> and\u00a0Christopher Rodriguez <\/a>\u00a0ran for nearly 2,000 yards a season ago. When Wilson does throw look for Belk Bowl hero\u00a0Josh Ali <\/a>as the main target.<\/p>\n

On the other side of the ball the Wildcats return arguably the best secondary in the SEC.\u00a0<\/a>Add in LSU transfer Kelvin Joseph <\/a>and the group is even stronger. The front seven is headed by linebackers DeAndre Square<\/a> and\u00a0Jamar “Boogie” Watson<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Great Show Of Support<\/h3>\n

As you are probably well aware Kentucky’s going into the 2020 season without a major player on defense. Linebacker Chris Oats<\/a>, who the Cats were expecting big things from this year, is out due to an undisclosed medical issue. The only thing the coaching staff has said is it’s not COVID related.<\/p>\n

Stoops announced earlier this week during the upcoming season a different player will wear Oats’ number 22 during each game to show he’s still with them. On Saturday Square gets the honor. The following week Oats’ roommate\u00a0Keaton Upshaw<\/a> will wear it for the home opener against Ole Miss.<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s an honor\ud83d\udc99 #22STRONG<\/a> I am my brothers keeper\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffe much love and prayers to my boy Chris https:\/\/t.co\/xzu6KigpsK<\/a><\/p>\n

— DeAndre Square (@d_square10) September 21, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n