Athlon Sports has Kentucky finishing third in the SEC East and No. 27 in the nation in their preseason look at the 2023 college football season.
“If Leary stays healthy and the offensive line improves, there is a path for Kentucky to surprise,” the publication states.
Here is an excerpt:
Final Analysis
Kentucky did not handle success well a year ago after a summer of hype, sliding to 7-6 after its 10-win season in 2021. Those struggles mean the Wildcats will likely enter 2023 as underdogs again, putting Stoops’ program in a familiar spot. If Leary (6,807 passing yards in 30 career games at NC State) stays healthy and the offensive line improves, there is a path for Kentucky to surprise.
National Ranking: 27
Here is how Athlon projects the Southeastern Conference:
SEC East
Georgia (13-0, 8-0)
Tennessee (9-3, 5-3)
Kentucky (8-4, 4-4)
South Carolina (7-5, 4-4)
Florida (5-7, 3-5)
Missouri (6-6, 2-6)
Vanderbilt (4-8, 1-7)
SEC West
Alabama (12-1, 8-0)
LSU (10-2, 6-2)
Texas A&M (8-4, 4-4)
Ole Miss (8-4, 4-4)
Arkansas (7-5, 3-5)
Mississippi State (6-6, 2-6)
Auburn (6-6, 2-6)
SEC Championship
Georgia beats Alabama
