2008 Kentucky Wildcats Football Preview

2008 Kentucky Wildcats season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Kentucky Wildcats football preview as well as the 2008 Kentucky Wildcats Football Schedule. We also offer a free odds comparison service of lines and totals on the NCAA football odds page.

Coach: Rich Brooks (6th year at Kentucky)
Team Name: Wildcats
2007 Overall Record: 8-5
Returning Starters: 12

After finishing tied for fourth in the SEC East, the Kentucky Wildcats (8-5 overall, 3-5 SEC) went to the Music City Bowl where they beat Florida State 35-28. During the regular season, the Cats surprised top team LSU by beating them in triple overtime 43-37.

Last season, the Kentucky offense put an average of 36.5 PPG on the board, which ranked the team 15th nationally. The competition to replace former QB Andre’ Woodson, who led the 19th most productive passing game in the nation, is between junior Curtis Pulley and sophomore Mike Hartline. Pulley possesses the most experience and although he’s a streaky passer, he offers a strong arm and running chops. Hartline has improved a lot since last fall and offers fine mobility. However, he’s not very fast. Senior Dicky Lyons (56 REC, 655 YDS, 7 TDs) is back as the team’s leading receiver, while sophomore Derrick Locke and senior Tony Dixon will both be utilized in the ground game. Although Kentucky allowed the most sacks in the SEC—38—the offensive line returns a sound core of guys. With a more experienced line and a mobile QB expect that number to drop.

Junior DE Jeremy Jarmon, who led the team with nine sacks, gives the frontline its punch and stability. In 2007, Micah Johnson and Braxton Kelly shared the middle spot at linebacker and racked up a combined total of 121 tackles. Kelley will play the outside and Johnson the center, making this unit big and tough. Both the front and middle should help improve the Cats’ ranking of 94th nationally against the run. Junior corner Trevard Lindley, who captured three interceptions in 2007, is a no nonsense, tough to fool defender. This secondary is one of the best Kentucky has fielded in a long time.

Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi State and Tennessee all look like loses. Contests that can go either way include home meetings with South Carolina on October 11 and Arkansas on October 18. The club opens on August 31 against Louisville. If Kentucky wins that swing game, it portends a winning season for the Cats.

Seven wins and another bowl bid are both possibilities in 2008. A lot depends upon how well the inexperienced quarterbacks perform. Additionally, this club will be massive if a game-breaking receiver comes out of the pack.

Kentucky Wildcats Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Away
Aug 31	Louisville	Away
Sep 6	Norfolk State	Home
Sep 13	Middle Tennessee	Home
Sep 27	Western Kentucky	Home
Oct 4	Alabama	Away
Oct 11	South Carolina	Home
Oct 18	Arkansas	Home
Oct 25	Florida	Away
Nov 1	Mississippi St	Away
Nov 8	Georgia	Home
Nov 15	Vanderiblt	Home
Nov 29	Tennessee	Away

 

For more info on the 2008 Kentucky Wildcats football program, view the Wildcats official website or scroll down below to read up on the rest of the SEC competition.