At the end of June, I posted an [URL=”http://www.nationofblue.com/kentucky-football-ranked-65-1652/”]article which had Joker’s team ranked at #65[/URL]. Well, it looks like the Cats are moving up! Pre-Snap Read.com is breaking down the Nation’s Football Teams and the Cats slide up 4 spots to #61. The article is very in depth, breaking down the coaches, quarterbacks, and even the top Kentucky websites(we aren’t one of them). The excerpt that interested me the most is the Season Breakdown section and the importance it puts on the 1st game of the year with Charlie Strong and Louisville.
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In a nutshell Call me crazy: I know it’s only the first game of the season, but I think Kentucky’s year — and its bowl hopes — hinge on how it fares against Louisville on Sept. 4. Is this a crazy concept? Well, yes, perhaps. Yet I can’t shake the feeling that Kentucky needs to go 4-0 in non-conference play to reach six wins, let alone match last season’s seven-win output; in that case, seeing that the remaining three non-conference affairs are clear victories, how the Wildcats fare against the hated Cardinals will dictate this team’s chances at bowl eligibility. As is typically the case, this team — on paper — does not instill confidence. Quarterback remains a major concern; that position is joined by question marks along the offensive line and in the back seven of the defense. Perhaps the defense as a whole is a question mark, though I think the defensive line is in pretty good shape. While there are players to like on both sides of the ball, Kentucky will not out-talent, for lack of a better phrase, any teams on its conference slate. So why do I have Kentucky in this spot, and why do I have the Wildcats landing that sixth win? Because nothing has changed: Kentucky never looks good on paper, never seems to have the pieces to upset a team or two in SEC play, yet always does — at least over the last four years. While my concerns about the long-term viability of the program will not be addressed until I see Phillips in action, I like the Wildcats to continue its bowl streak. Though not by much: I’m thinking six wins.
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[URL=”http://www.presnapread.com/no-61-kentucky/#more-4771″]Read Entire Article[/URL]
I also believe the Cats have to go undefeated in non conference play to have a shot at another Bowl appearance. The Louisville game means a lot more to Kentucky than a bowl game in my opinion though. Louisville is the biggest recruiting game of the year, and a slip up versus the Cards could really hurt in-state recruiting. The talent in the Louisville area is really picking up and if Joker wants to stay in the mix with that talent, it sure wouldn’t help letting Strong beat him in his first game as a Card. That could be devastating in future recruiting battles.
[CENTER][SIZE=3][COLOR=blue]Watch how Kentucky Strength Coach Rock Oliver is getting the 2010 Football Cats ready for Louisville on September 4th.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/CENTER]
[youtube_sc width=430 url=1S_iwY9Nxpc]
