Will Kentucky Repeat the Excitement of 2007?

SEC East No. 5 Kentucky Wildcats

2007 Results and Offseason
Kentucky was the center of the college football universe for two straight weeks last year, hosting LSU and Florida. QB Andre Woodson has moved on to the NFL and UK named Offensive Coordinator Joker Phillips as the replacement when Head Coach Rich Brooks retires.

2007 Record: 8-5, 3-5
Ret. Starters: 12
Ret. Lettermen: 57
Off PPG 31.1 (4th) RYPG 116.3 (11th) PYPG 288.4 (1st)
Def PPG 34.5 (12th) RYPG 200.3 (10th) PYPG 206.5 (7th)

Offense (4 RS, 26 RL)
It was thought Curtis Pulley would take over for Woodson, but he decided not to follow the law and was dismissed from the team.

Sophomore Michael Hartline will take over at QB. Hartline threw just six passes last year and one was an INT. Kentucky had a very good group of receivers last year but lost three of the top four. Dicky Lyons Jr. is the leading returner as a possession receiver with deceptive speed.

UK had a tough time running the ball last year, but hopefully with three returning o-linemen and healthy Derrick Locke, the Wildcats can improve. Senior Tony Dixon will split time with Locke at RB.

Defense (8 RS, 27 RL)
The Wildcats return eight of the top nine tacklers, but that one loss is huge in LB Wesley Woodyard. Woodyard nearly doubled the output of the No. 2 tackler (CB Trevard Lindley). Lindley is an All-SEC candidate coming off an 11 pass-breakup season.

Even with Woodyard's departure, the LB corp should be strong again with Michal Johnson stepping in (58 tackles).

Both the d-line and secondaries have three starters back each and should be improved with most of the two-deep also returning. DE Jeremy Jarmon had nine sacks a year ago.

Special Teams

Both the kicker and punter return. PK Lones Seiber struggled last year hitting just 16-25 including a huge miss against Tennessee. Keenan Burton is gone from KR and Rafael Little from PR. Dicky Lyons may handle both.

Recruiting - Link

Schedule

UK starts off with in-state rival @Louisville. Also vNorfolk St, vMTSU, and vW. Kentucky in the non-conference. From the West, @Miss St., @Alab, vArkansas. Kentucky has a bye on Sept. 20 but plays eight straight before a bye on Nov. 15.

Final Thoughts

Kentucky had an exciting 2007 season led by Heisman candidate Woodson. However, UK finished just 3-5 in the SEC and was outscored by three points per game. The offense has a lot to replace and losing Pulley, who battled with Woodson two years ago, does not help. I think getting back to a bowl will be challenging, but is very possible.

Prediction
Likely Wins: vNorfolk St, vMTSU, vW. Kent.
Likely Loss: @UF, vUGA, @Alab
6-6, 2-6

Next Up SEC West #4