Kentucky On The Rise In ESPN’s SEC Power Rankings
Image Via USAToday.com
Week 1 of the 2014 season is in the record books and the SEC has already been shaken up a bit. South Carolina was shocked at home when their defense was exposed by Texas A&M’s Kenny Hill. Vanderbilt let out a clunker against Temple at home in the rain. Georgia unleashed Todd Gurley on Clemson and rolled to a 45-21 victory. Kentucky looked sharp against some FCS competition. As such they are on the rise two spots in ESPN’s power rankings, here’s what the worldwide leader had to say about the Cats:
#12 Record: 1-0 overall, 0-0 conference
Sure, the Wildcats looked good in the season opener, but how much can we really tell from a win against UT-Martin? Running back transfer Braylon Heard was better than advertised, rushing twice for 116 yards and two touchdowns, and the defense pulled down two interceptions, one fewer than it had all of last season. Week 2 should provide a stiffer test for Kentucky.
Based on the Week 1 games Kentucky’s schedule appears to have opened up. ESPN goes on to rank the Cats’ SEC opponents: #5 LSU, #6 Mississippi State, #8 Missouri, #9 South Carolina, #10 Tennessee, #11 Florida, and #14 Vanderbilt. Oh, and some team ranked #1 in Georgia but let’s not focus on that just yet.
With a new look group in Blue and White it’s not unfathomable that the team could start to make some moves in the conference hierarchy a little ahead of schedule. We will know a lot more about what to expect this season depending on how things go this Saturday. Just imagine if Kentucky is able to take down Ohio, eleventh ranked Florida, and fourteenth ranked Vandy to start the season? The hype train will be rolling out of control when South Carolina is coming to Lexington.
Time to slow down, Cass. The season isn’t built on week one performances and this weekend will tell us more about all of the teams in the SEC. MACtion comes to the South as the Cats take one a nice measuring stick in the form of Ohio. Missouri takes on MAC power Toledo and Florida will finally take the field against Eastern Michigan. Then Vandy will kick-off SEC action against #18 Ole Miss . If Kentucky has a chance to climb the East ladder we will have an idea after Saturday’s games.
Where would you rank the teams of the SEC after Week 1?
[ESPN: SEC Power Rankings: Week 1]
18 Comments for Kentucky On The Rise In ESPN’s SEC Power Rankings
Making moves baby!! I watched Vandy lose and they stink something awful, chalk it up as a W for us. I’d love to think we can pull it off against Tennessee and Florida. Florida will be tough as we haven’t beaten them in forever but these kids don’t know that!! I mean they do but they’re mostly freshmen and transfers so only Elam really has a handle on how we haven’t beaten them. Anyway we’re looking at three SeC wins right there plus we gonna knock off Mizzou. Let’s go bowling, lead the way Heard!!
I dont see us beating UF, but would love it.
I don’t think week one shows anything when playing the likes of TN Martin. Let’s talk again after week 3.
Very true, but schools like Mizzou played similar opponents on the same level. So the optimistic thinker gotta be thinking “maybe there is a chance.”
jaws2 optimistic? Lol. You haven’t been around here much have you?
You should’ve read the drivel he was spewing about Cal and the basketball team. Unreal.
If they repeat the performance against Ohio it will be more convincing. Beating Florida would be more convincing still.
Good idea!
UT Martin is pretty good. Last year they only lost to Auburn by 4
Every time you visit this site, you put money in Matt Jones’ pocket.
Have a nice evening.
I’m not even remotely considering Louisville. LMAO.
UK pretty much sucks.. They only won two games last year
They were good enough to have the same chance Louisville did at making the national championship game. Math is hard for me but my homey tells me that’s zero percent.
Why cannot someone post what they want without being personally attacked? If you do not agree then say why you do but do not degrade the person who posted it. A little decor would make this a much better site.
You’re right, this place could use some more wall hangings and furniture.
…and a little more of me, too.
We have a long way to go. We’re down there with Vandy and Arkansas, and the other 11 SEC schools are in this week’s AP poll, but good showings the next three weeks should give us a boost.
I don’t understand how you can assess a team who hasn’t played a quality opponent.
Auburn played Arkansas. Two SEC teams.
Ole Miss played Boise State. A Division One team. Boise was 9-5 last year.
Alabama played West Virginia. Two Power Five Conference Schools.
Tennessee played Utah State. A Division One school. Utah State was 8-5 last year.
Vanderbilt played Temple. A Division One school.
Texas A&M played South Carolina. Both SEC schools.
Georgia played Clemson. Both Power Five conference Schools.
Mississippi State played Southern Miss. A Division One school.
Missouri played South Dakota State. A FCS school.
LSU played Wisconsin. Two Power Five Schools.
Florida got rained out.
Kentucky placed Tennessee Martin. A FCS school.
Now look at the quality of each opponent and tell me who played the weakest teams.
Our ‘Air Raid’ produced one touchdown.
Let’s wait until the third or fourth week of the season before we start awarding ‘stars’ and helmet stickers.