2011 Kentucky Wildcats Football Predictions, Odds, Picks and Schedule – 2011 Kentucky NCAA Football Preview

2011 Kentucky Wildcats College Football Expert Predictions, Picks, Vegas Odds and Schedule – Kentucky NCAA Football Preview: The Kentucky Wildcats may be a powerhouse when it comes to basketball, but the football program hasn’t exactly been knocking on the door of a national championship. That being said, the Wildcats have made five straight bowl appearances despite being undermanned more often than not in the always tough SEC. With the loss of several key performers on offense, that streak could be in jeopardy in 2011-12. However, second-year coach Joker Phillips has a winning formula that he hopes will build on last year’s respectable 6-6 regular season.

Phillips’ first task will be figuring out how to replace quarterback Mike Hartline, running back Derrick Locke, and wide receiver Randall Cobb. Replacing Hartline should be the easiest fix. After all, backup Morgan Newton filled in as starter when Hartline was hurt last year, leading the Wildcats to a 5-3 record while at the helm. Newton is a big, athletic QB capable of doing damage with both his arm and his legs. That being said, he is still figuring out how to read defenses and play the position so to speak. Newton’s progression will ultimately determine Kentucky’s success this year.  

His progression will be helped by the fact that the Wildcats return one of the better offensive lines in the SEC. For starters are back for a unit that more than held its own against the bruising defensive fronts that the conference has become famous for. With the team’s best running back and wide receiver from a year ago no longer in the mix, the offensive line has to be the stabling force of this team. With Newton likely to go through some ups and downs, the big guys up front will have to be even better than they were last season for the Wildcats to become bowl eligible once again.

Unlike the offense, the defensive unit doesn’t have to deal with a lot of turnover. In fact, nine starters are back, including star-caliber players in the front seven and in the secondary. Linebacker Danny Trevathan will probably end up playing in the NFL, and the same can probably be said for safety Winston Guy. The Wildcats finished in the middle of the road in terms of team defense on year ago, and with an experienced unit back in place, they could make a push to crack the top five.

Looking at the schedule, it is going to be all about SEC play. The Wildcats should cruise in their three out-of-conference matchups, but conference play opens with a showdown against Florida – a team Kentucky hasn’t beaten in its last 24 tries. Road games against LSU and South Carolina follow, and the Wildcats figure to be reeling after contests with two of the top teams in the conference. The swing games against on the schedule appear to be home matchups against Mississippi State and Tennessee. If the Wildcats can win both, an eight-win season isn’t out of the question.

Despite a somewhat manageable schedule, the lack of talent and experience at the skill positions is probably going to catch up with the Wildcats. In a conference like the SEC, every opponent is going to take advantage of Kentucky’s weaknesses. Solid play front he defense and stellar play from their stout offensive line will be enough to get the Wildcats to a bowl game, but the 2011-12 season isn’t going to be anything special.

2011 Kentucky Wildcats College Football Predictions: 6-6 Record

Preseason 2011 Kentucky Wildcats NCAA Football Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS Championship: NA/Off the Board
Odds to Win 2011 SEC Champonship: +7500
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2011 Kentucky Wildcats College Football Schedule
Thu, Sep 1 at Western Kentucky 9:15 pm —
Sat, Sep 10 Central Michigan 12:00 pm —
Sat, Sep 17 Louisville 6:00 pm —
Sat, Sep 24 Florida TBA —
Sat, Oct 1 at LSU 8:00 pm —
Sat, Oct 8 at South Carolina TBA —
Sat, Oct 22 Jacksonville State TBA —
Sat, Oct 29 Mississippi State TBA —
Sat, Nov 5 Mississippi TBA —
Sat, Nov 12 at Vanderbilt TBA —
Sat, Nov 19 at Georgia TBA —
Sat, Nov 26 Tennessee TBA —

Check out NSAwins.com’s official 2011 SEC Football Predictions and Preview article.

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