2008 Kentucky Wildcats College Football Predictions


June 8, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

The Kentucky Wildcats were a Top-10 team at one point last season after beating defending National Champion LSU at home in a triple-overtime thriller. But four out of five losses after that impressive victory had this team back to reality. That came before the Wildcats beat Florida State 35-28 in the Music City Bowl to finish off the season. But reality this season is going to be very disappointing in Wildcats country. The team at Info Plays gives you our 2008 Kentucky Wildcats NCAA football predictions to go along with offensive and defensive previews in this article.

Offense:

Junior Curtis Pulley and sophomore Mike Hartline will try and fill the big shoes left by Andre Woodson at quarterback. Pulley is more experienced with speed and a stronger arm, but he hasn’t been consistent in either of his first two years with Kentucky. Hartline played as Woodson’s backup last fall and show significant improvement in the spring. He isn’t as fast as Pulley, but Hartline doe bring more mobility than Woodson offered. Whoever gets the starting job will be handing off to a deep stable of backs.

Senior Tony Dixon will be No. 1 on the depth chart, but Alfonso Smith, Derrick Locke and Moncell Allen will get their share of carries. Locke has blazing speed and showcased his talents with big games against Arkansas and LSU as a true freshman. Smith also has game-breaking ability, while Allen at 5-7, 225 pounds is a bowling ball that has drawn comparisons to Natrone Means, formerly of the NFL’s San Diego Chargers. Three starting offensive linemen return, led by left tackle Garry Williams. The receiver position lacks depth and experience outside of Dicky Lyons, who has 108 career receptions and 16 career touchdowns under his belt already. He will be the main focal point in the passing game, but will need some help to avoid double-teams every game.

Defense:

This defense gave up nearly 200 yards rushing per game and nearly 30 point per game last season to rank towards the bottom nationally. But the personnel heading into 2008 indicates this could be the best defense at Kentucky in Rich Brooks’ 6-year tenure there. Defensive end Jeremy Jarmon returns after finishing fourth in the SEC last season in sacks. Opposite Jarmon will be either senior Nii Adjei Oninku or senior Ventrell Jenkins, who switches out from the tackle position.

Senior Myron Pryor and junior Corey Peters give the Wildcats experience on the interior line. Pryor has seven career sacks under his belt. Wesley Woodyard is the biggest loss at linebacker, but the rest of the group returns intact. Senior Braxton Kelley will move from the middle to the weak side to make room for former prep All-American Micah Johnson at middle linebacker. Big-play corner in junior Trevard Lindley lead the secondary, with his biggest highlight being a fourth-quarter interception against LSU last season that forced overtime. Senior free safety Marcus McClinton is another big-play man with six career interceptions and seven forced fumbles.

Kentucky Wildcats Predictions at Info Plays: 5th in SEC East

The Wildcats have just enough talent on defense to finish 5th in the SEC East, just ahead of Vanderbilt. But with the SEC East being tough as ever, there is no reason to believe this team will be overachieving again in 2008. The offense has to replace most of its firepower, and the defense must play at a level that Kentucky hasn’t seen in years. The Wildcats will have to come out victorious in their “coin-flip” games just to try and reach a bowl berth this season.

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