Games The Cats Should Win<\/h3>\n
12. Akron- September 16th-<\/strong> The Zips finished 2-10 and last in the MAC’s eastern division. Unless something crazy happens the Cats should roll easily.<\/p>\n 11. Eastern Kentucky- September 9th-<\/strong> At this point, you’re probably saying “Wait, you have an FCS team ranked tougher than a MAC team?” Let us explain our reasoning. EKU went 7-5 and made the FCS playoffs. In addition, the Colonels led the Cats in the second half of their last two meetings. We actually thought about putting them ahead of the next game.<\/p>\n 10. Ball State- September 2nd-<\/strong> The season opener and Kentucky’s other “MAC-tion” for 2023 should be an easy win. The Cardinals went 5-7\u00a0 last year and have had losing records in eight of the last nine years.<\/p>\n 9.\u00a0 At Vanderbilt- September 23rd-<\/strong> A revenge game against the Commodores? That’s certainly on the agenda. We hate to bring up bad memories but a season ago\u00a0Clark Lea’s<\/a> squad broke a 26-game SEC losing streak beating the Cats in Lexington. <\/a>The focus\u00a0should be no issue in this one. Especially when you factor in five “voters” who picked Vandy to win the overall SEC championship<\/a> while UK only got one.<\/p>\n 8.\u00a0 At Louisville- November 25th-<\/strong>\u00a0Scott Satterfield<\/a> is out and Jeff Brohm<\/a> is in for the Cardinals. Over the last four years, Kentucky dominated the “Battle Of The Bluegrass” by a combined 122 points. However, one sportsbook actually has the Cards as a one-point favorite. Mix it all together and the Cats should have plenty of motivation.<\/p>\n As we continue ranking Kentucky’s 2023 opponents let’s move to the next set of games. In order for the Cats to make a good bowl game they need to win all of these.<\/p>\n 7.\u00a0\u00a0 Missouri- October 14th-<\/strong> Kentucky’s won seven of the last eight against the Tigers. This has the makings of a trap game as it comes right after they travel to Georgia.<\/p>\n 6.\u00a0\u00a0 Florida- September 30th-<\/strong> The tables have definitely turned in this series over the last few years. UK’s won three of the last five and two straight against the Gators for the first time since 1976-77. You have to go back to 1948-1951 for the last time Kentucky won three straight against Florida.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0 At Mississippi State- November 4th-<\/strong> If we’re being honest the Bulldogs aren’t supposed to be that good in 2023. In fact, the Last Word writers have them near the bottom of the West. <\/a>The reason this game is so high is that as many in the Big Blue Nation know Stoops has had little to no success on the road against the West. In fact, UK hasn’t won in Starkville since 2008.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0 At South Carolina- November 18th-<\/strong> Usually this game happens much earlier in the year. However, in 2023 it’s moved to the final SEC match-up. Shane Beamer’s<\/a> club won in Lexington last year but the Cats were without Will Levis<\/a>. Kentucky’s won seven of the last nine in the series and three of the last four in Columbia.<\/p>\n As we wrap up our ranking of Kentucky’s 2023 opponents let’s look at the final set of games. Should the Cats win a couple of these then the BBN might be heading to Atlanta.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0 Tennessee- October 28th-<\/strong> Following their bye week a visit from the Vols opens the difficult last part of the schedule. Tennessee had a magical season in 2022 and open this year as the clear second pick to Georgia. The Wildcats have been the proverbial “close but no cigar” in the last two meetings in Lexington losing 45-42 and 17-13. Hopefully for Cat fans the third time’s the charm.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0 Alabama- November 11th<\/strong>– The last time\u00a0Nick Saban<\/a> and the Crimson Tide came to town was all the way back in 2013, Stoops’ first year. Kentucky’s defeated Alabama once since 1922, the 40-34 overtime win in Lexington in 1997. If there’s a silver lining for Cat fans this one comes after Alabama faces Tennessee and LSU in consecutive weeks.<\/p>\nNeeded For A Big Season<\/h3>\n
Going To Take Some Work<\/h3>\n
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