2021 SEC Football Preview: Kentucky Wildcats

2020 Recap

2020 Schedule

2020 Record: 5-6

4th in the East

All things considered the 2020 season was a relative success. For as absent the quarterback game was yet again, Kentucky managed to finish at a respectable 5-6. The absolute thumping of posers Tennessee highlighted a nice regular season slate, and Mark Stoops capped it off with an impressive win over ranked NC State, his third consecutive bowl win.

Defensively the Wildcats were a menace. They thrived on forcing a lot of turnovers and absolutely stifled several opponents over the season. The running game was one of the best in the conference again but failed to be complemented by anything resembling a passing offense.

2021 Outlook

Find a Quarterback… For Once

Look, Stoops knows defense and he loves the run game but for the love of god, they need to get an average quarterback in there this year. The run game is great but it makes the offense one dimensional and predictable. It also won’t help you when you need to make up points fast.

As Stoops enters his ninth year he has just one quarterback who’s thrown over 2,500 yards. His last quarterback over 2,000 yards was Stephen Johnson back in 2017. The complete absence of a passing game has stifled what may have been some more promising years.

Will Levis (Photo by gopsusports.com)

Okay, that’s the bad. The good is Stoops knows this… obviously. He fired the offensive coordinator from last year as well as the quarterbacks coach. The new offensive coordinator, Liam Coen, helped get coveted Penn State transfer Will Levis to come to Kentucky. Which means more competition to Beau Allen, always a good thing. Throw in wide receiver transfer Wan’Dale Robinson and they just might get a 2,000 yard thrower.

Ground and Pound Still Elite

Enough of the passing game, time for the bread and butter for Kentucky over the years. The running game comes into 2021 looking as good as ever. Chris Rodriguez Jr. returns from a strong year three and earned Third Team All-SEC. Joining him is Kavosiey Smoke who took a step back in his year three due to Rodriguez’s emergence. Still, the pair are one of the better duos in the SEC.

Last year’s offensive line was very talented and though there’s been some turnover, this year’s group should be very good as well. First Team All-SEC Darian Kinnard decided to forgo the draft to help lead Kentucky one more year. He’s joined by Third Team All-SEC Luke Fortner who also returned for an extra year.

Defense Has a Lot to Replace

Yusuf Corker (Photo by henryherald.com)

This is the main cause of concern. Kentucky has benefitted from terrific defenses under Stoops but this year’s squad has a lot of new faces. The Wildcats lost five defensive players to the draft last year and has big shoes to fill primarily in the front seven.

A few veterans highlight what should be a young defense. Senior Marquan McCall has had a great career and joins fellow senior Josh Paschal on the defensive line. The 2020 team captain Yusuf Corker also returns for his senior year as last year’s leading returning tackler.

Recap

If Kentucky wants to be legitimate contenders for the SEC East the offensive pieces have to fall into place. Forcing defenses to respect a good passing attack will add an aspect that Stoops’ Wildcats have really never had.

The defensive worries are there but shouldn’t be too worrisome. Yes there’s a lot of new faces in the mix but Stoops has thrived on doing more with less and despite the losses, this is still a very talented defense. While 10 wins might be a little high, the Wildcats benefit from a favorable schedule which could be a formula for eight or nine wins heading into bowl season.

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