5. Kentucky Wildcats
Week 1 Opponent: Miami (OH)
Ranked as the No. 20 team in the country entering the year, Kentucky comes in here at No. 5 in our preseason power rankings.
After a disappointing 2020 season, Kentucky bounced back in a big way in 2021 by going 10-3, along with winning their fourth consecutive bowl game. In what was the ninth season for head coach Mark Stoops in Lexington, the Wildcats won a total of 10 games for the second time in the last four seasons, with the last time Kentucky had won 10 games before 2018 coming back in 1977 (10-1).
Ranked No. 20 nationally entering the season, there is reason to believe that the Wildcats can win 10 games once again. A big reason for this? Well, the Wildcats defense should once again be strong, while the offense returns one of SEC Football’s top QB/RB duos in Will Levis and Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Also getting key impacts from transfers such as Tayvion Robinson, the Wildcats should once again be among the top teams in the SEC East this season. Could they potentially take the next step in 2022 and reach the SEC title game? It will certainly be tough, but don’t necessarily count out this Kentucky team either.
Expect the Wildcats to get off to a strong start in week one as well, with Kentucky likely cruising to a big win over Miami (OH).