Kentucky Football: 5 Worst-Case Scenarios for the Wildcats in 2011

The Kentucky Wildcats have competed in a bowl game in five consecutive seasons, though their 27-10 loss in the Compass Bowl at the hands of the Pitt Panthers was far from an ideal ending to the season.

The 2012 season appears to be a tough one for the Wildcats, but when isn't it?

If these five scenarios play out, the 2012 season will be far from a memorable one.

5. Non-Conference Loss

When your non-conference schedule consists of Louisville, Western Kentucky and Central Michigan, you had better win them all. 

Playing in the stout SEC, the Kentucky Wildcats can ill-afford to lose a game before conference play starts. 

4. Starting 0-3 in Conference Play

By far, the toughest part of the Kentcuky Wildcat schedule starts on opening day of conference play against the Florida Gators. 

From October 1st to the 22nd, the Wildcats will play the Gators at home before traveling to LSU and South Carolina back-to-back.

Thing will get better from that point forward for Kentucky, but an 0-3 conference start is a definite worst case scenario. 

3. Morgan Newton Is Not the Answer

Junior quarterback Morgan Newton was thrown action last season where he fared decently, but the job will be his from the start in 2011—which could be great or disastrous. 

Newton has the athletic ability—6'4'', 235 pounds—to be a force in the SEC, but decision making will determine the fate of Newton next season. 

If Newton struggles early on in the season, a quarterback controversy (the last thing any team wants) could begin brewing. 

2. 5th Place Finish in SEC East

Even with the questions on offense, the defense should be solid—led by Danny Trevathan and Winston Guy Jr. to give Kentucky a fighters chance in most games, but breaking down the schedule, it seems inevitable that the Cats will finish fifth in the SEC East. 

1. 5 Game Bowl Streak Comes to an End

The absolute worse case scenario for the Wildcats in 2011 would be if their five game bowl streak came to an end. 

Best case scenario seems to be the Cats winning seven games this year, which means they will be teetering on the edge of bowl eligibility by season's end.