The final time we noticed the Kentucky Wildcats, they have been shedding to 15-seed Saint Peter’s within the first spherical of the NCAA basketball match. I’m right here to instill hope into the Wildcats’ fan base because it gears as much as show that final yr’s soccer season was no fluke.
Let’s check out Kentucky’s win complete that’s been set at 7.5 at DraftKings and eight.5 at BetMGM.
Whereas Kentucky’s second-place end within the SEC East was one of many greater surprises of final season, it appears poised to repeat its success with continuity on either side of the ball.
Kentucky brings again an Offensive TARP (Transferring Property and Returning Manufacturing) of 71 p.c after ending final season seventh in Offensive Success Fee, 59th in Ending Drives, and fortieth in Havoc Allowed.
Quarterback Will Levis will look to take the subsequent step as one of many SEC’s finest quarterbacks. Levis completed final season with 2,826 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 13 interceptions whereas finishing 66 p.c of his passes and including 376 yards and 9 touchdowns on the bottom.
Gone is star obtain Wan’Dale Robinson, who’s now a member of the Giants. Whereas changing a No. 1 goal is rarely straightforward, Kentucky will look to fill the void with Virginia Tech switch Tayvion Robinson and the extremely touted freshmen tandem of Barion Brown and Dane Key.
Tight finish Keaton Upshaw may also look to get into the combination after lacking all of 2021 resulting from damage.
Put together to look at a brand new scheme as coach Mark Stoops brings in a brand new offensive coordinator in former 49ers quarterback coach Wealthy Scangarello. Coming from the sought-after Sean McVay/Kyle Shanahan teaching tree, Scangarello will concentrate on the run to open the sector for Levis to punish condensed defenses.
This turns the main target to returning operating again Chris Rodriguez Jr., who comes into the season 1,134 yards away from breaking Benny Snell Jr.’s Kentucky profession speeding report. A bodily again, Rodriguez ran over opposing defenses for 1,379 yards and 9 touchdowns final season.
Kentucky’s protection stored tempo with top-50 ranks in Success Fee, Havoc and Ending Drives. Bringing again an astonishing TARP variety of 82 p.c, we will anticipate the Wildcats’ defensive success to proceed and construct on final season’s manufacturing.
Whereas Josh Paschal and Marquan McCall moved on to the NFL, they are going to be changed by former five-star Justin Rogers at nostril guard with four-star prospects Octavious Oxendine, Josaih Hayes and Tre’vonn Rybka becoming a member of up entrance.
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Whereas the defensive position and linebacker teams will see some continuity, the secondary is a key focus, significantly an absence of depth at cornerback. Junior Carrington Valentine might be paired with transfers Keidron Smith from Ole Miss and Zion Childress from Texas State in a crucial place. Strain up entrance might be extra essential than ever to restrict secondary publicity.
Verdict on the Wildcats:
Whereas Georgia continues to be in a category of its personal within the SEC East, Kentucky is knocking on the door with expertise on either side of the ball and a revamped offense to present elite defenses suits.
If it could down a rebuilding Florida after the Gators tackle Utah, Kentucky can begin 4-0 earlier than a date with Ole Miss. A very good begin and the Wildcats have a authentic shot of repeating a nine-win common season. Lay the juice and take the Over 7.5.
The Play: Kentucky Over 7.5 Wins (-160)
