Now that Kentucky (6-2) is bowl eligible, it’s time to take a look at their possible postseason destinations.
Here’s a look at all SEC bowl tie-ins:
The SEC will almost certainly have one and possible even two teams in the college football playoff (Sugar Bowl, Rose Bowl, and national championship in Atlanta). There’s also a chance that another SEC team could end up in the New Year’s Six (Peach Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl).
Beyond those games, here are other potential SEC bowl games:
Outback (vs Big Ten), January 1 (Tampa, Fla.) Noon, ESPN2
Buffalo Wild Wings (vs Big Ten/ACC), January 1 (Orlando, Fla.), 1 p.m. ABC
TaxSlayer Bowl (vs Big Ten/ACC), December 30 (Jacksonville, Fla), Noon, ESPN
Liberty (vs Big 12), December 30 (Memphis, Tenn.), 12:30 p.m., ABC
Belk (vs ACC/ND), December 29 (Charlotte, N.C.), 1 p.m., ESPN
Music City (vs Big Ten/ACC/ND), December 29 (Nashville, Tenn.), 4:30 p.m., ESPN
Independence (vs ACC/ND), December 27 (Shreveport, La.), 1:30 p.m., ESPN
Texas (vs Big 12), December 27 (Houston, Tex.), 9 p.m., ESPN
Birmingham (vs AAC), December 23 (Birmingham, Ala.), Noon, ESPN
One has to assume that Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi State and Auburn will be selected ahead of Kentucky in the bowl pecking order.
Here’s a look at the next level of teams that Kentucky likely falls into:
LSU (6-2, 3-1): @ Alabama, Arkansas, @ Tennessee, Texas A&M
South Carolina (6-2, 4-2): @ Georgia, Florida, Wofford, Clemson
Texas A&M (5-3, 3-2): Auburn, New Mexico, @ Ole Miss, @ LSU
Florida (3-4, 3-3): @ Missouri, @ South Carolina, UAB, Florida State
All of those teams almost certainly have losses remaining this season so it’s conceivable that Kentucky can finish near the top of that group and land a nice bowl bid.
Basically, win out and Kentucky will find themselves in a major bowl game or possibly even the SEC championship game.
Finish 3-1 or 2-2 and Kentucky will still earn a nice bowl bid (Outback Bowl, Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, TaxSlayer Bowl, Music City, Belk Bowl, Texas Bowl, Liberty Bowl)
Stumble badly down the stretch and the Wildcats may end up in the Independence Bowl or Birmingham Bowl.
Our current projection: Music City Bowl in Nashville
