College Football News Preview 2020: Kentucky Wildcats

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Kentucky Wildcats season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Kentucky Wildcats season with what you need to know.

CFN in 60 Podcast: 2020 Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky Wildcats preview in 60 seconds

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– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Schedule Analysis
– Kentucky Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

2019 Record: 8-5 overall, 3-5 in SEC
Head Coach: Mark Stoops, 8th year, 44-44
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 26
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 45
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 38

NOTE: Obviously, no one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.

5. College Football News Preview 2020: Kentucky Wildcats Offense 3 Things To Know

– Don’t get too comfortable with the Kentucky quarterback situation. Even if the depth chart is settled, the coaching staff might need to use smoke and mirrors again – like turning now-Las Vegas Raider WR Lynn Bowden into a devastating rushing quarterback last season.

Bowden stepped in after starter Terry Wilson suffered a devastating knee injury early on in the year. He’s expected to be back in time for the season – if it starts on time – but he still needs a whole lot of work to get back to 100%.

And then there’s Auburn transfer Joey Gatewood. The 6-4, 242-pound sophomore has the tools and talent to be the star of the program, but the NCAA’s flip-flopping on the one-time transfer rule makes him a question mark to be eligible for 2020.

If there are any issues with Wilson and Gatewood, senior Sawyer Smith suddenly gets the keys to the offense. Again, don’t get comfortable until someone runs out on the field for the first drive against Eastern Michigan.

CFN in 60 Video: Kentucky Wildcats Preview
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– Lynn Bowden was the running game at times last year, but no matter who’s at quarterback this year, don’t expect 1,468 yards coming from the position. 6-1, 210-pound senior Asim Rose is back after running for 826 yards and six scores. He’s surrounded by a whole bunch of promising underclassmen – namely sophomores Kavosiey Smoke and Christian Rodriguez, who combined for well over 1,100 yards with 12 scores – for what should be a solid ground game.

The offensive line will be there to pave the way. Four starters are back from a group that got the job done for the nation’s fourth-best ground attack. There’s depth, size, and enough talent for the front five to be a major plus.

– Bowden was the team’s leading rusher, second-leading passer, and the top receiver. Assume more from the wide receivers, but Josh Ali is the top returning target with just 23 catches for 233 yards and three scores. Expect a lot more big plays from the mostly neglected group for a passing game that failed to connect on half of its passes.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Kentucky Wildcats Defense 3 Things To Know

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CFN in 60: Kentucky 2020 Preview

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Kentucky Wildcats season with what you need to know.

CFN in 60: Kentucky 2020 Preview

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Kentucky Wildcats season with what you need to know.

ESPN FPI projects outcome of every 2020 Georgia football game

ESPN FPI projected the outcome for every Georgia football game in 2020

The ESPN Football Power Index (FPI) has been updated to project the outcome of every Georgia football game in 2020.

First, what is the FPI?

ESPN defines it as a “measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season. FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Projected results are based on 10,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule. Ratings and projections update daily.”

Before looking at the FPI’s game-by-game projections for next season, here’s a look at how the software thinks the Dawgs will do this season.

Projected win-loss: 10-2

Chance of winning out: 2.5%

Chance of winning conferenceL 23.6%

SOS rank: 37

Here’s the game-by-game projections:

Week 1: Georgia vs Virginia in Atlanta:

ESPN FPI’s percent chance to win: 95.3

Week 2: Georgia vs ETSU:

ESPN FPI’s percent chance to win: 99.9

Week 3: Georgia at Alabama:

ESPN FPI’s percent chance to win: 27.5

Week 4: ULM vs Georgia:

ESPN FPI’s percent chance to win: 99.2%

Week 5: Georgia vs Vandy:

ESPN FPI’s percent chance to win: 98.3

Week 6: Georgia vs Auburn:

ESPN FPI’s percent chance to win: 66.4

Week 7: Georgia at Missouri:

ESPN FPI’s percent chance to win: 90.2

Week 8: Bye week

ESPN FPI’s percent chance to win: N/A

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College Football News projects Georgia’s win total for 2020 season

College Football News made win total projections for all CFB teams, including Georgia football and the SEC. With a tough 2020 schedule….

Pete Fiutak at College Football News recently released his projected win totals for all 130 FBS programs.

For Georgia, fans are looking at this season, just like every year, as national title or bust.

But recently the pressure’s been on more than usual, with the Dawgs coming so close to making a return visit to the College Football Playoff in each of the last two seasons.

This season should be no different. The schedule is tough, but Kirby Smart has recruited well enough to position the Bulldogs for another SEC Championship and Playoff run.

In his win total projections, Fiutak has Georgia projected to win 10 games, meaning the Bulldogs would finish the regular season at 10-2.

Read full story on CFN: College Football Future Win Total Projections For All 130 Teams: Spring Version

If Georgia does go 10-2 in the regular season, that would be its worst record since Smart’s first year in Athens when he went 7-5.

Fiutak highlights Florida, Auburn and Alabama as Georgia’s key games in 2020. That’s a tough slate, and it looks like he projects Georgia to come out of that 1-2.

If Georgia finishes with 10 wins, but beats Florida, it’ll likely make the SEC Championship — which would then become a must-win game for UGA if it wants to make the Playoff.

Last preseason, Fiutak projected Georgia’s win total at 10.5, and the Bulldogs proceeded to win 11 games.

As for Florida, Fiutak also predicts the Gators to win 10 games. That would make that Halloween Cocktail Party a massive meeting between the two rivals.

Notable SEC projections from Fiutak:

Alabama’s win total projection is at 11, LSU 10 and Auburn 8.

Outside of the SEC, he has Clemson and Ohio State at 11, Oklahoma 10.5 and Oregon at 10.

Meet Logan Stenberg, Kentucky’s mauler of an OL prospect

Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Kentucky offensive line prospect Logan Stenberg

The NFL’s best offensive linemen have traits like physicality, tenacity, versatility and a motor that never stops running.

All of those words apply to Kentucky’s Logan Stenberg, one of the top interior blockers in the 2020 NFL draft class.

Stenberg recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his experience playing for the Wildcats against SEC competition, which NFL quarterback he’d most like to block for, and what kind of impact he’ll have at the next level.

JM: You leave Kentucky for the next level as an experienced interior offensive linemen. You really were one of the leaders of that offense. How does that experience serve you well going forward?

LS: I learned a lot about football throughout my time at Kentucky. There are a lot of intangibles that simply can’t be taught. There are some traits you either have or you don’t. That experience should help me a ton at the next level.

JM: What do you enjoy most about playing on the offensive line?

LS: I love the brotherhood of it. You’re really a unit as an offensive line. You have four other guys next to you with the same goal in mind. We’re basically one. Being able to work in a unit like that on a daily basis is very rewarding for me.

JM: Most of your experience has come at left guard, but you’ve played all over the line. You even have a little experience at tackle. What do you feel is your best position at the next level?

LS: I do currently believe that keeping me on the interior makes the most sense for all parties involved. Left guard, right guard or even center would be best for me. That’s where I expect to play in the NFL.

JM: Those experiences have exposed you to many different schemes. Is there one that fits you best?

LS: I just love to run the ball. Any scheme that’s run heavy, that’s the one for me. I enjoy offenses that run the ball between the tackles. I’ll fit well within that. I can pass protect as well. I can adapt to any scheme though. It’s pretty simple for me.

JM: Playing at Kentucky afforded you the opportunity to play against some of the best competition college football has to offer. Who are some of the best interior defensive linemen you’ve gone up against?

LS: I played against Javon Kinlaw from South Carolina this past season. He was by far the best defensive tackle I’ve played against. He’s a powerful, long guy. It’s tough to get his hands off of you when he locks them down. He was a very good opponent.

JM: What’s your favorite way to demoralize your opponent?

LS: I love finishing blocks. Finishing a guy into the ground and putting him on his back before the whistle is blown is one way for me to show that I’m better than he is and that I got the best of him on that play.

JM: How do you react if someone delivers a late hit on your quarterback?

LS: That’s not something we take lightly (laughs). Me and four other big dudes are definitely gonna remember what number you’re wearing. We’re gonna get you back at some point.

JM: Do you have a preferred pass set?

LS: Yeah, I like a quick pass set. Two kicks and I don’t like creating too much separation between myself and my opponent. I can get my hands on him and block him out of the play. That’s the best way for me to do that.

JM: Is there an NFL quarterback that you’d love to block for?

LS: That’s a tough question. I’d love to block for Tom Brady. He’s obviously been a great quarterback in this league for many years now. I think you could learn a lot from him. It would be beneficial for my future if I could learn from a guy like that. I’d love to pick his brain and ask what he thinks about offensive line play.

JM: What kind of impact is Logan Stenberg going to make at the next level?

LS: Logan Stenberg is a hard worker, first and foremost. I’m gonna come in with a lot of determination. I’m a smart guy that understands offensive line play. I plan on doing things the right way at the next level. I’m gonna block my man until the whistle gets blown. I’m gonna come in every day ready to put my best foot forward and give it my best shot. I’m gonna work hard to be a great player.

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2020 Georgia football schedule: Game-by-game predictions

A look at the 2020 Georgia football schedule with predictions for each game.

Coming off a 2019 that saw Georgia come so close to reaching the College Football Playoff, the Bulldogs open up the 2020 season with a Monday night game vs Virginia in Atlanta.

If Georgia – which should be favored in every game minus an October visit to Alabama – takes care of business, then UGA should close out the season in the same stadium it started in.

The Dawgs return a lot of talent in 2020, mostly on a defense that ranked No. 1 in America last season.

To read up more on Georgia’s returning production next season compared to the rest of the country, you can take a deeper dive at this link.

To take a look at Georgia’s projected offensive depth chart for next season, click here.

On offense, Georgia lost a ton of production, including its starting quarterback, its top two running backs, 4 starting offensive linemen and a star wide receiver.

By looking at who Georgia lost from last season’s offense it’s hard to picture the Dawgs making another big run, but it’s important to remember that Kirby Smart has secured three consecutive top ranked recruiting classes. In addition to the loads of talent waiting on the depth chart, Georgia was also able to land Heisman hopeful quarterback Jamie Newman from Wake Forest.

If Georgia is going to have another memorable season, it will need these new offensive faces to be capable of moving the ball more than James Coley’s offense was able to in 2019.

The addition of Todd Monken, who I’d say is Georgia’s biggest get this offseason, should make that possible.

With a ferocious defense and revamped offense, here’s how I see this season playing out for Georgia.

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Notre Dame Football: Irish Kept Top Tight End Commit As Two Powerhouses Swarmed Late

After Chip Long was let go we have learned from Tom Loy at 247Sports that both Michigan and Penn State checked in on then-commit, tight end Michael Mayer (Covington Catholic, Alexandria, KY) ahead of signing day.

When Chip Long was relieved of his offensive coordinator duties in early December there was a small window between his firing and the early signing period taking place.

We all know now that Notre Dame not only kept the entire anticipated class in place but actually added an extra player when corner back Ramon Henderson from Bakersfield, California committed.

The wound up that way but not by the choice of a couple Mid-west powerhouses.

After Chip Long was let go we have learned from Tom Loy at 247Sports that both Michigan and Penn State checked in on then-commit, tight end Michael Mayer (Covington Catholic, Alexandria, KY) ahead of signing day.

“Michigan was big-time on me. Coach Sherron Moore, the tight ends coach,” said Mayer, when asked who reached out when Long was fired. “Penn State reached out. Kentucky too. Penn State was my No. 2 school and I had a great relationship with coach Bowen” – Michael Mayer to 247Sports

It’s worth checking out the article (linked above) to the 247Sports/Irish Illustrated piece. In it Mayer discusses what he thinks Chris Tyree so special, why he stayed loyal to Notre Dame and why he didn’t push things back until February’s signing period.

247Sports rated Mayer, Kentucky’s High School Player of the Year this past fall and a four-star prospect as the second best tight end in the 2020 recruiting class.

Male rolls over St. Xavier in third round Kentucky playoff game

“We are going to enjoy it, and we did play well,” Bulldogs coach Chris Wolfe said about his team’s win.

The Male High School football team can dominate opponents in so many ways, and the Bulldogs were at their complete best in a 33-7 victory over visiting St. Xavier on Friday night.

There was a rushing attack led by senior Jaylin Bross, who carried 31 times for 247 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior Elijah Parish led the passing attack with two touchdown passes and 85 yards.

The defense was stout with interceptions from Ray Hall, Romel Sheffield and Judah Ford.

Even special teams got involved, as Briceson Rodgers returned an onside kick 53 yards for a touchdown.

It all added up to another convincing victory for a Male squad that improved to 13-0 and ran its state-best winning streak to 19. The Bulldogs will host Tates Creek in a Class 6A state semifinal next week.

“We are going to enjoy it, and we did play well,” Bulldogs coach Chris Wolfe said. “The penalties were very frustrating for me. Other than that, the guys did everything I asked them to do as far as preparation this week.”

Already up 7-0, Male took control after blocking a 40-yard field-goal try by St. X’s Jeffrey Sexton with 1:01 left in the first half. The Bulldogs quickly marched down the field and got a 20-yard touchdown pass from Elijah Parish to Vinny Anthony with 2 seconds left in the half, making it 13-0.

Read the Louisville Courier for more.

Meet Jamar Watson, Kentucky’s next pass-rushing prospect

Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Kentucky edge defender Jamar “Boogie” Watson

Last year, the NFL draft featured a talented edge rusher by the name of Josh Allen. In 2020, another pass-rushing Wildcat could make waves at the next level.

A versatile prospect who can get after opposing quarterbacks and shut down ball-carriers in the backfield, Watson recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about the skill set he brings to the table, how playing at Kentucky has prepared him for the next level, and what fans can expect from him the rest of this season.

JM: How would you describe your skill set?

JBW: I’m a very athletic edge rusher. I can play off the edge as a rusher and I can drop in coverage a little bit as well. I’m a savvy player and I have a high football I.Q. as well.

JM: What’s your favorite part about playing linebacker?

JBW: I love having the ability to effect the game on a snap-by-snap basis. I play in the middle of the defense and we get to be involved on every single play. I have a role to play on every single defensive snap. I love that. That gives me a chance to be a high impact player.

JM: I heard that you’re a tap dancer. How did you get into that?

JBW: My high school basketball coach recommended that I get into tap dancing. I needed an extra credit and it was a pretty easy class, if I’m being honest (laughs). I gave it a shot and I’ve actually kept it going since high school. I really ended up liking it.

JM: Your dream job outside of being an NFL player is to become a police offer. Why is that?

JBW: It started off with me watching lots of law enforcement shows. Those were my favorite types of shows growing up. CSI, Law & Order, shows like that. As I got older, my interest in law enforcement became more serious and I started doing some research. If I wasn’t playing football, that would be my dream career. That’s what I’m studying right now in school. That’s my top desire aside from football. My goal is to play in the NFL, first and foremost, but a career as an officer of the law after football definitely intrigues me.

JM: What’s your favorite cop show of all time?

JBW: That’s a great question. If I had to go all time, I would probably say “Person of Interest.” It’s on Netflix now, and it has about five seasons. It’s about this I.T. nerd guy who has the ability to predict future crimes and he has this badass friend who’s the muscle of the group. He sends him out on these missions to stop these crimes before they happen. That’s probably my favorite show of all time.

JM: Who do you think is the best NCAA player you’ve ever gone up against?

JBW: I would probably go with Sony Michel or Deebo Samuel. Those guys stood out for obvious reasons. I can’t forget about Lamar Jackson. He’s as dynamic as they come. Those are definitely my top three.

JM: Is there an NFL running back or tight end you’re looking forward to tackling or covering?

JBW: I would probably say Ezekiel Elliott. He’s received so much publicity over the last couple of years. He’s a superstar running back and I’d love to test out my abilities against a guy like that.

JM: Coach Brad White did a great job with Josh Allen last year. He also has six years NFL experience with the Indianapolis Colts. How has he helped elevate your game?

JBW: He’s definitely taken my game to another level. He has an incredible feel for the game. He understands the role of a linebacker well beyond pass rushing. He’s helped me in every faucet of my game. His attention to detail is tremendous. It’s the small things that he’s taught me that helped me become a better player. He’s really made a difference in my life. Josh Allen will tell you himself, we as a linebacker group give a ton of credit to coach White. He puts a huge emphasis on having us reach for the ball. Try to strip it out and create turnovers. It’s the small technique stuff that he’s really helped me out a lot.

JM: How has Kentucky helped prepare you for what’s next?

JBW: The weight staff is one of the best in the country. We have some veteran guys around this program. The coaching staff has a ton of experience. The training staff is top notch as well. They keep us right throughout the summer and throughout the season as well. Our coaches have had success at multiple levels. Having these guys at my disposal has been huge for me.

JM: What can Kentucky fans expect from you for the rest of this season?

JBW: They can expect me to be continue being a productive member of this defense. My team needs me to be productive. I’m working hard to improve every single day. I’m definitely focused and locked in right now.

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