Kentucky Wildcats 2016 NCAA Football Preview

Kentucky Wildcats 2016 NCAA Football Preview

KENTUCKY WILDCATS

Southeastern Conference – East Division

 

2015 Record – 5-7

ATS – 3-9

 

2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank

East Division #6

Conference #13

 

2015 Recap

Year three of the Mark Stoops era ended with another thud as the Wildcats finished below .500 once again. They were pretty competitive – particularly early in the season – but they could not snatch the 6th victory down the stretch to reach bowl eligibility. The QB play was pretty horrid and the defense was nothing special.

 

2016 Preview

OFFENSE

Statistically, the Wildcats’ running game was pretty good last season, although it was skewed by one monster day vs Charlotte (44 carries for 415 yards). Kentucky is going to need even better production from the running game this season and they appear to have the offensive line and RB depth to get that done. “Boom” Williams had over 800 yards at 7 yards a pop in 2015 and should achieve a 1,000-yard season provided that he can stay healthy.

The WR corps is very talented and experienced. Now all the Wildcats need to do is find someone to get the ball in their hands. Sophomore Drew Barker was named the starting QB after the spring game as he is clearly their best option right now. There is potential here but two of the first five games on the schedule are road games against Florida and Alabama. Yikes.

DEFENSE

This is going to be a problem area. Now it is entirely possible that Kentucky surprises us to the upside here but we have a hard time seeing them giving up less than 30 points per game. They return five starters to a defense that was ranked 12th in the SEC while recording only 17 sacks. Color us skeptical.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Wildcats feature an excellent PK Austin MacGinnis who hit 13/17 FG last season but the return game was average and they break in a new punter in 2016. Overall, this does not look like a team strength, but we expect a very good year kicking FGs and they will need all the points they can muster.

 

MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10)          2.5

MEGALOCKS says:

Kentucky is going to have to make it to a bowl game for this season to be labelled a success. If they can do that while showcasing a promising QB then fans will have reason to be optimistic heading into the future.

Overall, we give the WILDCATS a 2.5 ATS Value Rating (Poor) this season. The offense has the potential to be productive in 2016 but it is the defense that really has us concerned. It does not help our level of worry when considering Mark Stoops is 12-24 in his tenure (1-12 on the road), while at the same time, only covering the number at a 38% clip (13-21-1). That includes a 6-17-1 record (26%) mark in SEC games. It feels like more disappointment this season ATS. 

 

Want more Kentucky Wildcats football?

 

Website    

http://www.ukathletics.com/sport/m-footbl

Forum          

http://www.thecatsdomain.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=8

https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/forums/wildcat-lair-football-forum.22/

http://www.scout.com/college/kentucky/forums/2756-aw-football

http://www.secrant.com/rant/kentucky-sports/

News       

http://www.aseaofblue.com/

http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/#navlink=navbar

http://bleacherreport.com/kentucky-wildcats-football

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/kentucky-wildcats

Twitter       

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