2024 Kentucky Football Schedule Preview (GAME-BY-GAME ANALYSIS)

all right guys back here on sou Eastern 14 with Chase Robinson we continue our look at all the SEC football schedules for the 2024 season coming up here sooner rather than later now we are almost there to college football season and we're going to break down the schedule for the Kentucky Wildcats before we do that let's tell you about better online number one source for NBA finals and Stanley Cup playoffs this season every stat every matchup live odds spreads they've got it all while the games are being played so you can check it out there when the game's over head on over to the online casino get on game of blackjack or poker plus you can unwind with some of the 150 slots games that they have so head to the website today to get on the action use that promo code we always tell you about it believe bav for 50% uh welcome bonus on your first deposit bet online uh the game starts here all right Chase Kentucky Wildcats uh and what it almost became a very interesting offseason for Kentucky of course you had the mark stup stuff uh you know the A&M thing all that and it was just kind of a whirlwind there for a little bit but we now know kind of how things set up for the cats coming into the 2024 season and we're going to take a look at their schedule which does begin with a couple actually they've got four straight home games which is always a nice thing to have uh if you're a team in the SEC where you kind of load up on the home games they're going to do that playing Southern Miss South Carolina Georgia and Ohio um so really kind of a fascinating first you know sort of quadrant here in the schedule as you look at it's certainly the game against George is going to be the one that stands out the most but a big game two there in week two against South Carolina and hey you never know when you get your first four games at home uh Kentucky can Shock the World in week three be to Georgia um you can certainly look at where that could set you off into for the rest of your schedule so yeah you you say it's nice to have the first four games at home especially when two of those are SEC games in the first four games which you don't see a lot I mean uh I think I think Southern Miss you know it's a good game to start out with uh Southern Miss and has had some good teams uh they out of the Sun Belt uh but what really interests me is you got a conference game week two and you got South Carolina uh coming in you don't see conference games usually this early so we're gonna find out very quickly what this Kentucky team uh has this year when they have uh the Gamecocks rolling in the Lexington there uh South Carolina beat Kentucky last year 17 to 14 and so the game CS have actually won the last two games against Kentucky and so this is a chance ky's got the Gamecocks back at home I think this is a a chance for for Kentucky to get back uh beating South Carolina but interesting you you you always learn a lot early in the season about teams and you have a conference game week two that's uh that's tough for Kentucky and then you look ahead not only do you have a conference game week two but you have uh most everyone's top team in the country preseason of Georgia uh coming in week three uh you know every everybody's going to be chasing Georgia and the secc this year I I think and so this will be the first conference game for Georgia so you know we'll see if if that's an advantage at all for Kentucky I'm not sure but uh Kentucky needs to fight an advantage and take advantage of any advantages they do have uh in this one because again you got South Carolina week two Georgia week three that that's a tough two game stretch you do have that at home but that that's a that's a tough conference stretch for Kentucky in the first three weeks of the Season yeah it is for sure and again we are I feel like the Kentucky South Carolina games are always just kind of and that hasn't always played out every year but um they've been some close games and we said some of them have not been the highest scoring games it seems like in recent years um as you kind of look back at it and then you know you look at like we said Southern Miss I think coming off a three and9 season um so you would think ky's a pretty considerable favorite there the Ohio one's interesting remember Ohio went 10 and three last year um and actually you know won in the Myrtle Beach Bowl they beat Georgia Southern to finish 10 and three um that was a team that remember beat Iowa State last year too so if you're just kind of looking at it you know a lot of momentum for that program coming off of a 10- win season uh in the mac and the Georgia win remember if you want to talk about a team that's got some motivation against Georgia we all know what happened the last time Kentucky uh and Georgia played uh there were a lot of high expectations going into that game and Georgia came out and quite frankly just took it to the cats and so Kentucky will have I think again some some extra motivation now for that one but boy it will feel a little bit different if you have some motivation coming off a win against South Carolina than if you know you've just dropped a home game against the Gamecocks and then have to regroup the following week for a Prime Time game on ABC against Georgia so uh yeah that's a that's a significant one uh there but yeah like that's the thing you look at kind of the start of theule and you're looking up and saying all right well this is kind of you know we got at least they're all at home but then it's like okay now we got to go to Old Miss following week on to end September and it's you're thinking okay your first road game it'd been nice if that was like your first road game let's say at at South Carolina or at Florida one of those kind of games but no you've got to go play Old Miss who let's call it what it is Chase I mean I don't know if there's more of a a more buzzworthy team in SEC football entering 2024 that I'll miss uh this is kind of the year that everyone has circled when you look at the roster Lane K's put together this could be the team that finally gets them over the hump uh into National Title sort of contention yeah it is and it's in Old Miss uh this will be the first conference game for the rebels and really when you look at at Old Miss schedule and we will do that here in our series but really they only tests in the first four games they have Wake Forest uh week two uh Old Miss as a uh just just the way their schedule Falls this is the the first conference game and so uh you know we'll see if Kentucky can expose some things on Miss uh early uh in the game but uh this is going to be a tough one uh if if Old Miss is playing like I think they will at this point they're gonna be really good and so uh you know and I think this game kind of will be based off what happens in the first two conference games you know with with losses to South Carolina and Georgia uh you know how are we going to see this Kentucky team bounce back respond to that you know if they're able to win uh a couple of those one or at least one of those maybe the South Carolina one then you you compete with Georgia you know make it respectable and then coming into Old Miss I think that may could change The Narrative of this game really um and with Ohio in there as well coming after that Georgia game get a win there get some momentum heading into Old Miss uh but I'm interested to see just the the response especially after that Georgia game how Kentucky handles that yeah I think so too because like I said there will be some added motivation for sure I think to say the least when you look at just kind of again sort of what the expectations are going to be for this Kentucky team I mean it's that's the thing right is you know for Kentucky like Mark stops has raise the expectations now every year to where this is a team that expects to at least be in the conversation there um you know and we'll see I mean if they can kind of reach that level um you know this season but I think that's again kind of of an interesting start because like you said a slip up and lose to South Carolina and you go into to have to play Georgia now you got this game at Old Miss um that could be trouble early for the cats if they can't navigate that but luckily after the Old Miss game they're going to get a week off and then you want to talk about a very important stretch that's because you get three games here against Vanderbilt at Florida Auburn at home I mean to me Chase without being the Vegas expert here who knows where Vanderbilt's at at that point who knows where Florida's at at that Point who knows where Auburn's at at that point so you talk about some very if we had to predict the spreads on these three games right now not a clue uh because you just don't know where these teams are going to be at because these all do feel like teams that want to try to break through this season I think it'll be tougher for Vanderbilt than the other two but you know we mentioned you look at the Gators uh big season for Billy NAIA there there's no question about it Hugh frees trying to really get things taken off for Auburn uh this season after you know probably a little bit of dis appointment certainly to finish last season the way they did and now you look at this and feel like there's a scenario where you don't know what kuy's record's going to be in those first you know five games but these may be the three most important games on the schedule because if somehow you're able to reel off and win all three of these games two of them at home um which I think there's probably a decent chance Kentucky is the favorite in at least two of these games they could be favorite in all three depending on where Florida's at um so this is an important one October 12 through October 26 Circle at Kentucky fans because I think this is one that really could Define their season if to this point everything let's say they're 4- one or something um with the only lost or let's say they're three- two sorry they're probably not going to be favorite against Georgia and old misss but these are the kind of games that if you don't win all three if you don't win two out of three if you were to drop a couple here look at the back half of that schedule chase at Tennessee at Texas still got Louisville that's where you could sort of be in the danger zone yeah for sure and Billy Napier has never beaten Kentucky and so uh it is in the swamp this year um they have played there and and uh and Kentucky won there a couple of years ago but uh I think this is a big one for Kentucky like you mentioned especially with it at Florida if uh if they can get this one get this win I think that'll be huge uh they're at Florida and again who knows what the gator season is going to look like uh Billy and apier needs to win this game uh if he wants to to stay coaching at Florida and so I think they're going to be playing with the with a chip on their shoulder there but uh this I feel like Florida Kentucky is always a fun game but ky's won the last three times they've played um you really want to win this one I think Vanderbilt's going to be better but I think that's a very winnable game for Kentucky so let's say they beat Vanderbilt they're able to get a win at Florida I think that really sets up also an interesting matchup with with auburn it's one of the games you don't see a lot the Auburn Kentucky matchup just because they've been uh in in opposite divisions 2020 is the last time they've played Auburn has won the last three times that they have played so Auburn's going to be coming off a trip to Columbia Missouri though so hey maybe that sets up uh this a a good time for Kentucky and Auburn to meet up if you're a Kentucky fan uh because of of what Auburn is going to have just played in Missouri so uh I think all of these three are are very interesting games especially Florida and alurn I think they're winnable games for Kentucky I really do and uh but I think that Auburn Kentucky game is going to be really fun because I think Auburn is going to be much improved this year uh but and I saw also a good thing Kentucky has that one at home they don't have to make the trip down to Auburn they'll be hosting Auburn after going to a tough place to play in Florida so yeah very important stretch very important stretch for Kentucky there with those three rounding out October yeah good news for Kentucky too Vanderbilt the week before has to play Alabama um that's in Nashville but still um that will be a home game for the tide there in that one and then if you look at it Florida the week before has to go to Knoxville to play Tennessee which is of course a little bit different now with the way Florida and Tennessee is structured because usually that's earlier in the season not the case this year um just based on kind of the new schedule so they're playing in the you know middle of October whereas usually we're used to seeing that game you know second third week of September so yeah so that's kind of a good setup too for Kentucky I think to have those two teams playing some pretty tough matchups uh the week before they get the cats so all right as we continue to move through the schedule here for Kentucky then uh you do get the game against Tennessee and that is as always uh one that will be one of the bigger games on the schedule for Kentucky on November the 2nd and you know like we said I think the vs Chase certainly high expectations coming this season that's just kind of the way it is now with what Josh hpel has done there the past couple seasons and I think really you know for Kentucky um as you look at this this is one too where Tennessee gets the week off U before that they will have played you know the game against Alabama the prior week but this is you know when you look about like sort of important games Tennessee's got and we'll go through Tennessee schedule I think Tennessee's got a very favorable schedule to this point um you know they're going to have to play NC state which will not be easy that's a neutral sight game in Charlotte they got to go to Oklahoma which will be tough the Josh hypo ball there but really I think Tennessee could be favored in every other game on their schedule even against Alabama potentially uh in that one again we just don't know Alabama's just hard Chase right because you just don't know exactly you know year one for kayin deor you don't know what the differences are going to be and all that but um no doubt this will be a game that that has you know High implications I think in terms of where both teams are at maybe chasing playoff spots and everything but as always this is this is a big one that both teams Circle here as they'll meet up once again in nean stadium it really is and how big would that be for Kentucky and Mark stops to be able to go into nen stadium and win this game especially if let's say Kentucky we talked about the the tough three game stretch with Vandy Florida and Auburn if let's say kuy is to win those three they've got a ton of momentum heading into to Knoxville and that could really change that game I think if if they're riding three-game win streak against you know some some good teams and one of those on the road so I think uh this game May uh you know vary on how the rest of the schedule has gone for Kentucky you know are they riding a lot of momentum you know have have they competed in against the georgees and the old misses this year you know um prior of this game so I think this game has a lot to do with how Kentucky has done I think you know and and I think those three Vandy Florida and Auburn are very winnable games for Kentucky if they win all three of those you know I like their chances going into to uh to a a good Tennessee game good Tennessee team there in Knoxville yep I think that's like you said a very important setup potentially where these teams are at at that point and who knows if kuy's won sort of some of those swing games uh yeah it could be a nice spot for the cats all right so now after Tennessee they get the week off uh much needed I think at that point for Kentucky Murray State after that should be a win for the cats and then it is the the game against the the newcomer or Texas but it's in it's in Austin and um you know if you look at kind of where Texas could be at at that point if you're curious um where you know kind of their schedule sets up they play Arkansas the week before on the road in faville which you know will be a very hostile game but the problem is is if things have gone South for Arkansas at that point I mean you don't know Chase I mean you could even have a coaching change at that point who knows right it just depends um on kind of where things are at for the Hawks so kind of an unpredictable setup you know as with all these games just you know you can have an inur you know one team much better one team worse you just don't know but we're playing the hypotheticals here uh this could be you know a a very tough spot for Kentucky I think any way you you draw it up because two we know if the expectation is for Texas that they want to make the college football playoff maybe one of the favorites uh to win the whole thing next season um what what will they have done to this point what will they have um what would their record be at Michigan you know against Oklahoma against Georgia because those are all games that are going to define whether they are you know I think college football playoff uh team next season and then you get this one against Kentucky which should be uh significant like we said for for both teams here yeah I like Texas I think they have the roster just on paper to uh to maybe win it all I mean I I think that's what Texas has this year but you mentioned their schedule up to this point and can they win these big games they couldn't last year Oklahoma beat them there in in that rivalry midseason but Texas still able to win the Big 12 and go on to the college football playoffs so can they win all these big games winning up going up to this point um you know this is a game that uh they've only played once Kentucky and Texas and uh so there's not really history to this game it's kind of a a fresh start for the two teams so can Kentucky compete I think it'll say a lot about where ky's at you know they've played some tough teams so is Texas you know um I think this game will will be dependent a lot on on how both teams have have played so far this year still I think Texas is good they're disciplined they're going to be ready to play in this one even with rivalry week coming up the following week I think Texas uh will will want to take care of business uh in in this one especially ey in the college football playoff but Kentucky is going to be on playing kind of that spoiler if if we think Texas is as good as as as we think they are if they are that way this year so I think this one could be interesting late in the season you know strange things can happen but this will be a tough in Kentucky if uh if Texas is playing like we think they can and then Kentucky finishes up with Louisville uh the Governor's Cup played once again here and that one will take place in Lexington so good for Kentucky but in all honesty it wouldn't matter where this game was played right now for Kentucky they've kind of owned the series uh in recent years even the one last year right where Kentucky was kind of the disappointing team everybody thought coming in good spot for Louisville didn't happen Kentucky won that game 3831 um we know kind of where Louisville was at at that point but yeah KY now won five in a row in this series um six to the last seven and quite honestly some of them not even been close um you know and so I think this is you know kind of a big one here and if you're looking at it from Louisville standpoint you know where will Louisville be at that point in the season you know playing your usual ACC schedule they've got Road games against Notre Dame they got to play Miami at home they go to Clemson and then of course you've got the you know the normal ACCC traditional rivalry between Louisville and Stanford Chase um it's just it's so weird to look at Louisville schedule and say oh yeah they have to go to Stanford on November the 16th so will they still have some jet lag two weeks before I doubt it coming into this game they play pit the week before they play Kentucky so yeah you know and this is again one of those strange rivalries like Louisville played in the ACC championship last year you know and but Kentucky was still able to beat them I think Kentucky has the players I could do that again um but but yeah I think it's it's always an interesting uh kind of Twist on this game just it doesn't matter what the teams have done previously uh but Kentucky just they they find a way to win this game and I think they will again this year for sure yep I think Kentucky who knows like we said they they've got some very interesting parts of their schedule we always try to just break these schedules down by different you know three game stretch four game stretch kuy's got a lot of those games that um you know are season defining type games and that's what happens when you play in the AC or the the SEC so yeah we'll see what happens with the cats but there you go there are thoughts on Kentucky schedule entering the 2024 season uh Chase as always um hey it's going to be a lot of fun to see how things unfold for the cats and we'll be continuing to look at these uh rest of the schedules here at South Eastern 14 yes and if you like uh what you see you want to sponsor our content here on southeastern 14 we have a way you can do that you can send an email to caroline. 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