ESPN SEC analyst Alex Scarborough has released his preseason SEC power rankings and Kentucky comes in ranked #9.
Here is what Scarborough had to say about #9 Kentucky.
9. Kentucky
Benny Snell Jr. better tighten his chinstrap because he’s going to need to be a workhorse to carry this offense that has no clear answer at quarterback and an inconsistent group of receivers. The good news is that Snell, who rushed for 1,333 yards last season, is that type of back. If Mark Stoops, who has steadily upgraded the talent of the roster overall, can field a strong defense that returns eight starters, then the Wildcats could manage to be a player in the East.
Here is a look at the top 5.
1. Alabama
The linebacker bug has struck again with Terrell Lewis suffering a torn ACL and VanDarius Cowan being dismissed for “violation of team rules.” And have you heard? There’s a quarterback battle to consider. But despite the Tua Tagovailoa-Jalen Hurts debate, and the need to replace all four starters in the secondary, Alabama should navigate a manageable schedule and once again come out at the top of the conference.
2. Georgia
Forget the so-called quarterback controversy you’ve heard about in Athens. It’s Jake Fromm’s job to lose after leading Georgia to overtime of the national championship game as a true freshman. Replacing Sony Michel and Nick Chubb at running back won’t be easy, but D’Andre Swift is a special talent. The real question isn’t on offense, but rather how the defense makes up for the loss of middle linebacker Roquan Smith, the Butkus Award winner.
3. Auburn
Maybe Jarrett Stidham can become the No. 1 quarterback in the SEC. Maybe the defense, despite losing stars Carlton Davis and Jeff Holland, won’t miss a beat. But what about the schedule? When you look at a season opener against playoff hopeful Washington and games on the road at Georgia and Alabama to end the season, Auburn could be just as good as last season and lose more games.
4. Mississippi State
People shouldn’t sleep on the Bulldogs. While it’s fair to wonder how Joe Moorhead will do replacing Dan Mullen as head coach, there’s not a lot else to question about this team. Nick Fitzgerald, one of the most talented QBs in the country, says he’s ready to play after suffering a gruesome ankle injury. And he has 1,000-yard rusher Aeris Williams back to help him. That’s to say nothing of a loaded defense that features All-SEC caliber players Jeffery Simmons, Montez Sweat, Mark McLaurin and Gerri Green.
5. Florida
There might not be a bigger wild card in the SEC than the Gators. The return of Dan Mullen has breathed new life into a stagnant program. There’s finally hope that with Mullen’s magic and the addition of Ole Miss wideout Van Jefferson, the offense might finally pull out of the ditch. But the missing link is the same it always has been: quarterback. Whether it’s Feleipe Franks or Emory Jones, the position will make or break Mullen’s first season back in Gainesville.
