Sep 26, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver C. J. Conrad (87) celebrates with wide receiver Dorian Baker (2) after scoring a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Kentucky defeated Missouri 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Remember how I said that QB Patrick Towles was very bad against Florida last week? Well, Jim Bunning’s grandson was electric versus the Missouri Tigers in Week 4. Towles completed 22-27 passes for 249 yards and 2 touchdowns. This was the first victory over a ranked opponent for UK since 2010.
The Mark Stoops Era is in full effect in Lexington. Commonwealth Stadium is becoming a tough place to play night games, as the Wildcats have knocked off both Columbia-based SEC schools this season.
Though Florida is still UK’s bogeyman, there is a very strong chance that the Kentucky Wildcats go 9-3 (5-3) this year and finish in the Top 25. The only two games on their schedule remaining that I see as for sure losses are at Georgia and at Mississippi State. In-state rival Louisville looks lost in 2015 and outside of the Georgia Bulldogs, I see UK being able to beat the rest of their Eastern foes this season.
Kentucky is definitely making a bowl game entering Week 5 of the 2015 College Football Season. They should improve to 4-1 after this week’s certain victory over Eastern Kentucky. Should Patrick Towles play well down the stretch and the rushing attack of JoJo Kemp and Stanley Williams remain true, then why can’t the Kentucky Wildcats finish in the Top 25 and be a dark horse SEC East contender?
UK will face Eastern Kentucky at 7:30 PM ET on the SEC Network.
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Sep 26, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Brandon Powell (4) runs the ball in for a touchdown as Tennessee Volunteers defensive back LaDarrell McNeil (33) attempts to defend during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
I don’t care for Florida, obviously, but how they always find a way to beat Tennessee is downright hilarious. How on Earth did they win that game? The Jim McElwain Era in Gainesville is going very well for the Gators, as UF sits at #25 in the AP Poll at 4-0 entering Week 5.
However, they’re not beating #3 Ole Miss at home on Saturday. Not unless this is the 2008 Bizzaro Game, the one where Tim Tebow cried after Florida missed an extra point to lose to the Rebels. Florida has done well so far, but got extremely lucky to take care of the Vols in The Swamp. Unless Ole Miss forgets how to win in a hostile road environment (they beat Bama in Bryant-Denny!), I don’t see the Gators staying in the Top 25 in Week 6.
That doesn’t mean that it isn’t working down in Gainesville for Jimmy Mac and the boys. Kelvin Taylor is running like his father Fred once did in The Swamp. Should QB Will Grier grow as a passer in his RS Freshman year, Florida could go 8-4 and hang around the low 20’s in the AP Top 25.
Then again, their next four games are brutal: Ole Miss, @ Missouri, @ LSU, GA/FLA. The Gators need to split this four-game stretch if they want to contend in the SEC East this season. They might get there soon, but not this season. Florida hosts Ole Miss at 7:00 PM on ESPN Saturday night.
Next: Tier I: Projected SEC East Champion