NCAAF · 1 year ago

Kentucky Wildcats Preview | Expert Predictions & Best Bets for 2024

Zack Cook

Host · Writer

Kentucky Wildcats Preview | Expert Predictions & Best Bets for 2024

Kentucky Wildcats Preview, Predictions & Season Win Total Pick

After recording back-to-back 7-6 seasons, Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats will look to continue building their program from the ground up. There’s reason to be optimistic about the Wildcats’ direction, but will that be enough to elevate their status in the SEC? Defense will be the calling card for the Wildcats in 2024, which should lead them to a fair share of victories.

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Kentucky Wildcats Preview

2023 Record: 7-6 (3-5); SEC Finish: 6th in SEC East
AP Poll: NA | Coaches Poll: NA | PFF: No. 18
Head Coach: Mark Stoops 63-65 (30-55) | 12th Season | Overall: 63-65
Defensive Coordinator: Brad White | Offensive Coordinator: Bush Hamdan

Kentucky Wildcats Futures Odds (FanDuel)

National Championship Odds: +25000 | CFB Playoff Odds: +1500
SEC Championship Odds: +10000
Regular Season Wins: OVER 6.5 -122 | UNDER 6.5 +100

Kentucky Preview: Why You Should Be Bullish

It’s not hard to get excited about the defensive unit that the Wildcats will bring to the table in the SEC, especially their linebacker core. Deone Walker is a potential top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, leading a deep and powerful unit. This defense will keep the Wildcats in football games in 2024, and it’ll be up to their young offense to really put them over the top in the SEC East.

Kentucky Preview: Why You Should Be Bearish

There’s real uncertainty about how this group will operate on offense. By all accounts, Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff is set to make his debut as a starting quarterback. That’s a pretty daunting task in the SEC. There’s at least some consistency with parts of the offensive line they’ll be trotting out, but they’ll need Vandagriff to live up to his recruit status if they have hopes of exceeding expectations.

Breakout Player: WR Dane Key

We’ve already seen some impressive seasons from wideout Dane Key. In saying that, there’s genuine optimism inside the program that this is the year we see him really take off as a wide receiver. Is a 1,000-yard season in play for Key? That likely comes down to how efficient this offense is and the kind of quarterback play they get from Vandagriff.

Kentucky X-Factor: QB Brock Vandagriff

It’s hard to label any player but Vandagriff is the x-factor for the Wildcats in 2024. We know that this defense has a chance to be a top threat in the country led by Deone Walker, but the offense will ultimately determine whether or not this team can qualify, and potentially win a bowl game. Vandagriff has the pedigree and talent to be a star after spending time in a winning atmosphere at Georgia. Will that help him settle into the starter’s role in a faster way?

Kentucky Schedule Analysis

With No.1 Georgia, No.4 Texas, and N0.6 Ole Miss all on the docket in 2024, it won’t exactly be a peaceful schedule for Stoops and Company. Still, it could have been much worse for Kentucky, who didn’t get the roughest punches thrown their way in terms of the 2024 schedule. Games against Louisville, Auburn, and Tennessee will likely go a long way in determining how serious this team is in 2024.

Kentucky Prediction: OVER/UNDER 6.5 Wins

Looking at their schedule, you can count at least four games in which the Wildcats should be favored. After that, there are multiple toss-ups, but there’s no real reason they can’t win those games. The Wildcats defense has a chance to be exceptional in the SEC this season, ultimately leading them to success. Having a high-end defense can go a long way, which is one reason we’re bullish on the Wildcats going over the number in 2024.

Kentucky Preseason Pick

OVER 6.5 (-122) (FanDuel Sportsbook)

Kentucky Best Bets

Despite some clear hurdles to jump over, there’s real optimism surrounding the Wildcats in 2024. Although it might be challenging for them to take a giant leap forward with their overall record, there’s no reason they can’t put together a third-straight 7-6 campaign.