The Kentucky Wildcats are not just a basketball school anymore. Perhaps not so quietly, this team has finished third or better in the SEC East -and with a winning record- in five of the last six seasons. The one exception was the Covid season of 2020.
What’s more they’ve posted ten-win seasons in two of their last four years, after not posting any since 1977.
But there’s always been at least one team in the division better and this year figures to be more of the same.
Last year Georgia was the top dog and while the Wildcats have a lot of talent, including at the QB position, they’ll be hard pressed to get past the Bulldogs this year as well.
Their biggest loss in the offseason was offensive coordinator Liam Coen making the jump to the NFL and the Rams, but they expect big things from with Rich Scangarello and his NFL experience taking over.
This team got its best quarterback play, perhaps in decades with former Penn State player Will Levis at the helm last year. He produced 33 touchdowns with his arm and legs and 2,800 yards passing.
They also have a top running back in Chris Rodriguez who rushed for 1,379 yards and 9TDs last year. But someone will have to step up for WR Wan’Dale Robinson and his 1,334 receiving yards and 104 catches. Number two on the depth chart was Josh Ali and he and his 41 catches have also moved on.
Defensively, this team was excellent last year, allowing 22 PPG and 340 YPG. They’ve lost talent, but still have playmakers at each level. That includes leading sack master JJ Weaver, DB Carrington Valentine and a strong linebacker group.
This team will take a big step forward if they can cut down on the 26 turnovers the offense gave up and create a lot more than the 12 the defense produced.
2022 Kentucky Wildcats NCAA Football Futures Odds
Odds to win the 2022-23 NCAA Championship: 100/1
Odds to win the 2022 SEC Championship: 40/1
Odds to win the 2022 SEC East Division: 9/1
2022 Regular Season Win Total: Under 8 (-130)
2022 Heisman Contenders: Will Levis +6600
Official website: ukathletics.com
Twitter Account : @UKFootball
Odds to win the 2022-23 NCAA Championship: 100/1
Playing in the toughest conference in the nation, makes this a tall order. The schedule however is on the lighter side and since they do play in the SEC, they don’t necessarily need to win the championship to book a playoff spot. But they will need to beat Georgia and come close to running the table. They’re a well-coached team with decent talent, but it’s a true longshot.
The Verdict: Skip it
Odds to win the 2022 SEC Championship: 40/1
I like this bet less than the championship bet. Alabama, Texas A&M, even Arkansas and possibly LSU are likely stronger teams in the other division.
The Verdict: Skip it
Odds to win the 2022 SEC East Division: 9/1
Kentucky has the makings of a solid team this year, but they have a lot of talent that needs replacing at the receiver position. If they can get past a tough Florida team on the road early, that might set up a huge showdown with Georgia at home late. It’s a tall task, but worth a small bet.
The Verdict: Worth a flyer
2022 Regular Season Win Total: Under 8 (-130)
The path to at least eight wins and a push is there. They have three non-conference games against Miami (OH), Youngstown State and Northern Illinois that seem like sure bets. They should be strong favorites against South Carolina, Mississippi State (both at home), Vanderbilt and Louisville. That already brings us to seven wins.
Two wins against Florida, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Georgia, with all except the Bulldogs on the road is a tall order, but this team has shown enough in recent years to indicate it’s viable.
The Verdict: Over is a Solid bet
2022 Heisman Contenders: Will Levis +6600
Levis might be the best QB Kentucky has had in a long time, but he’s not in the same class as some of the favorites.
The Verdict: Skip it
Odds According to Bovada as of August, 2022
Kentucky Wildcats 2022 Schedule
| SEASON | |||
| Date | Time | Opponent | TV |
| 3-Sep | 7:00 p.m. | Miami (OH)* | SECN+/ESPN+ |
| 10-Sep | 7:00 p.m. | at Florida | ESPN |
| 17-Sep | 12:00 p.m. | Youngstown State* | SECN |
| 24-Sep | Northern Illinois* | ||
| 1-Oct | at Ole Miss | ||
| 8-Oct | South Carolina | ||
| 15-Oct | Mississippi State | ||
| 29-Oct | at Tennessee | ||
| 5-Nov | at Missouri | ||
| 12-Nov | Vanderbilt | ||
| 19-Nov | Georgia | ||
| 26-Nov | Louisville* | ||
Home stadium: Kroger Field, Lexington, KY
*Non-conference game – All times are in Eastern time
Bet on the Kentucky Wildcats 2022 Season at Bovada Sportsbook.
