SEC Football Previews: Kentucky Wildcats battle tougher schedule

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Kentucky didn’t win the lottery when it came to a revamped, 16-team Southeastern Conference Schedule.

The Wildcats traded games with Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi State for Ole Miss, Auburn and Texas. Will they be able to handle the tougher matchups? Here is a short preview of the Wildcats:

COACH — Mark Stoops: 73-65 overall (73-65 in 11 seasons at Kentucky).

2023 SEASON — 7-6 overall, 3-5 in SEC (T-4th, East).

RETURNING STARTERS — 16 (5 offensive, 9 defensive, 2 special teams).

TOP PLAYERS — QB Brock Vandagriff, RB Chip Trayanum, WR Barion Brown, WR Dane Key, DT Deone Walker, LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson, LB J.J Weaver, CB Maxwell Hairston.

KEY LOSSES —QB Devin Leary, RB Ray Davis, WR Tayvion Robinson, TE Brenden Bates, OT Jeremy Flax, LB Trevin Wallace, CB Andru Phillips.

SEASON OUTLOOK — The Wildcats have leaned heavily into the transfer portal to help supplement a squad that ranked in the top 55 in most defensive categories last season, but barely broke the century mark in most stats offensively. The Wildcats brought in 13 commits that made the class 21st in the country out of the portal. Offensively, Kentucky returns two key contributors at receiver in Dane Key (42 rec., 636 yards, 6 TDs) and Barion Brown (43 rec., 539 yards, 4 TDs). On defense, linebacker D’eryk Jackson Jr. returns as last season’s leader in tackles with 89. Returning cornerback Maxwell Hairston Jr. was the team’s interception leader last season with five.

SCHEDULE:

Denotes SEC Conference game.