Kentucky Wildcats 2017 NCAA Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Kentucky Wildcats 2017 NCAA Football Preview

2016 Recap

2016 Record – 7-6

2016 ATS – 7-6

The Wildcats enjoyed their first winning season since 2009 and finished up with a 7-6 record despite an 0-2 start to the campaign. Four conference wins was the most they have had in a long long time. They also SHOCKED THE WORLD upsetting Louisville in the final game of the regular season as 4-TD underdogs. Can they keep the momentum going ? Inquiring minds want to know.

2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

SEC – TBD

East Division – TBD

OFFENSE

Good things happen when you can run the football, yo. Kentucky ranked 3rd (!) in the SEC in rushing yards per game last season (234) behind only Auburn and ROLL TIDE. Amaze your friends with that gem. They had a pair of 1,000-yard rushers but only Benny Snell is back for duty in 2017. He averaged almost 6 yards per carry last season and will have the benefit of a big and experienced offensive line to run behind this year. They may not finish top-3 in the SEC in rushing but they will still be good enough to move the ball on the ground against all but the top-notch defenses.

QB Stephen Johnson was not spectacular in 2016 but he played well enough to complement the running game. He will need to step up his game if the Wildcats want to pull off some surprises and contend (!?) in the SEC East. MEGALOCKS SEC INSIDERS note that backup QB Drew Barker looks good so far in camp and will provide adequate depth. Leading WR Garrett Johnson returns this year as does dangerous pass-catching TE CJ Conrad.

DEFENSE

The Wildcats have allowed less than 30 points per game just once in the past five seasons (2015). If they are serious about competing in the SEC East they have to make a big step forward. Good news ? They bring back 9 starters on defense and definitely have the potential to make the required improvement. Almost the entire starting front seven from the 2016 squad returns including excellent LB and leading tackler Jordan Jones (109 tackles, 15.5 TFL) and Denzil Ware (5.5 sacks, 12 TFL). Their secondary brings back 3/4 starters. If they can find a way to increase the level of PENETRATION (11th sacks in SEC last year; 10th in TFL) they could improve by 5-7 points allowed per contest. <grabs popcorn>

SPECIAL TEAMS

Almost everyone returns including rock solid PK Austin MacGinnis who nailed 16/19 (!) FGs last year including an impressive 5/6 from 40+ yards. Charles Walker had a PR TD in 2016.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

HC Mark Stoops has a 16-13 record at home but just a 3-15 (!!) mark on the road. Gotta get the big boy pants on and win some games away from Lexington if you want to make inroads in the SEC East.

MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 6.0

MEGALOCKS says:

Overall, we give the WILDCATS a 6.0 ATS Value Rating (Above Average) this season.

This is a big year for Mark Stoops. The wins have steadily increased under his watch from 2 to 5 (pause button at 5) and then 7. The team is experienced and talented and the schedule is manageable. The expectations should be high.

When it comes to covering the point spread Stoops has 20-27-2 (42.5%) mark vs Vegas and that pretty much excludes him from the MEGALOCKS favorite list. However, to be honest, this looks like a team that can win more games than they lose vs the number. We just might be calling out the Wildcats’ name on more than one occasion.

Want more Kentucky football ?

Website

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Forum

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News

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http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/