Worst Case Scenario: Kentucky Wildcats

BamaNation.netAug 12, 2009

Note: I have to admit, Kentucky is the team I know the least about out of the SEC East. Although they are a SEC team, and I try to keep up with them as much as possible, this is still an opinion piece and based on what I know, this is my opinion.

Biggest Asset: Coaches Leadership, Past Success

Ok so Rich Brooks doesn’t have a great overall record (121-152) and his record isn’t that great during his time at Kentucky (32-41) but in the last 3 years his record is 23 and 16 – that’s improvement. Let’s be honest, from 1990 up until the time Brooks took over this program, in 2003, the Wildcats won just 55 total games. So while Brook’s 32 wins don’t look overwhelming, in just 6 years Brooks is truly turning this program around.

Last year the Wildcats went on to win their 3rd straight bowl game. That’s impressive in itself, but what’s more important is that this program, in its entirety, is building upon their success. They have guys who are buying into what Brook’s is teaching, and it’s going to pay dividends.

Biggest Liability: The SEC is too good

While I am extremely impressed with Rich Brooks, and I like the job he’s doing, the bottom line is that his success at Kentucky is consumed by the fact that this is the SEC. Although Kentucky does have a rich football tradition, their program is and will probably always be overshadowed by the Georgias, Tennesses and Floridas of the SEC East. Brooks is bringing in some talented players, but for every talented player he brings in, other schools are bringing in two equal, or better players.

Where They Could Stumble: Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee

Worst Case Scenario: 6-6

This team is bowl bound in my opinion. They’re going to get into a bowl game. The question is, with them being in the talented SEC, which bowl is a good question. I think they have a pretty good chance at beating Auburn and South Carolina, but with both of those being road games, it’s hard to be confident in them beating those teams. Assuming they beat Miami, Ohio and Louisville (which I think they can do), Kentucky could lose 4 games in a row to drop 2 games under 500. They’d need to rebound quickly to be sure they become bowl eligible.