Kentucky Football: Cats Young Offense Looks to Claw Its Way to Wins

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The 2008 Kentucky Wildcats football squeaked its way to seven wins last season thanks to its ferocious defense.  This season the offense must help carry the load against a much tougher SEC.

This season will hinge on a young offense. The 2009 Cats are returning many starters from that stout defense of a year ago.  

The cats will be better if a quarterback steps forward.  Whether that's Mike Hartline, Randall Cobb, or one of two newcomers, either Ryan Mossakowski or Morgan Newton.

Hartline probably gets the nod out of camp because of his experience. Cobb will probably move to wide out.  The freshman can push Hartline though and if he fails, one of them should be able to take the job.

The running backs are deep and talented, but fell victim to injuries throughout last season.  Derrick Locke leads this group with his speed, but coming off his knee injury, concerns remain.  

Moncell Allen and senior Alfonso Smith are also in the mix.

Will the O-Line continue to gel and improve?  Injuries and graduation really handicapped the line last year.  They must play better in both the pass and run for this offense to be successful.  

Left tackle is a huge hole that must be filled in order for whoever is taking the snaps to remain upright.  The line will play musical chairs until a solid combination is found.

The wide outs have the most upside.  This group is young, but full of talent.  Expect Randall Cobb to play here on a more regular basis.  The Cats also need Aaron Boyd to play to his big 6'3'' potential.  T.C. Drake played well at tight end last year, but has room to grow.

The Cats will need all of these young players to live up to the hype if they want to stop squeaking out wins and starting clawing up SEC defenses.  

Look for the Cats to claw their way into the postseason again.

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