With the start of the new college football season less than two months away, experts and analysts are rolling out their predictions for the 2024 campaign — and Kentucky’s quest for Southeastern Conference contention is expected to remain an uphill battle.
With the addition of Oklahoma and Texas to what was already considered the most competitive league in the country, the 16-team SEC is now tougher than ever, and the college football world doesn’t expect UK to break through into the league’s upper echelon.
According to Athlon Sports, the Wildcats will struggle to a 12th-place finish in the SEC — ahead of only South Carolina, Arkansas, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.
Kentucky’s defense will benefit from the return of nine starters, headlined by All-SEC lineman Deone Walker, but the Cats’ offensive success will depend on contributions from transfer additions like quarterback Brock Vandagriff and running back Chip Trayanum, along with how the unit adapts to first-year coordinator Bush Hamdan.
“Two newcomers to Lexington will decide just how high the offense can climb in ‘24,” wrote Athlon’s Steven Lassan. “New play-caller Bush Hamdan arrives after directing Boise State’s offense to an average of 32.1 points a game last season and is tasked with helping Georgia transfer QB Brock Vandagriff develop in ‘24. Vandagriff’s progression is crucial to Kentucky’s ‘24 hopes, as the former Bulldog has limited experience but brings significant upside to the offense.”
Meanwhile, betting oddsmakers have set Kentucky’s over/under win total at 6.5 games.
It’s not surprising, considering the Cats are coming off of back-to-back 7-6 seasons and still face plenty of uncertainties. It’s also not an unfamiliar expectation for UK, which hasn’t been predicted to finish with more than 7.5 wins in head…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/experts-cats-face-tough-task-091600261.html
Author : Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
Publish date : 2024-07-09 09:16:00
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