4 Kentucky Football Predictions in Season-Opener vs. Miami (OH)

The moment you’ve been waiting for is here. Kentucky kicks off the 2022 football season against Miami (OH) tonight at Kroger Field. Before the pads start popping, allow me to preview exactly what you’ll see on the field with four not-so bold predictions.

Kentucky QB Will Levis will Throw for 300+ Yards

Rain or shine, Rich Scangarello is going to let it rip. The Wildcats are breaking in a new cast of characters at wide receiver that need as many game reps as possible. Will Levis will happily give it to them.

You might be surprised to learn Levis only exceeded the 300-yard threshold three times in his first season as the Wildcats’ quarterback. Kentucky let it rip against teams like Miami, averaging better than 11 yards per attempt and throwing the football 30 times a game. Even though there’s a different play-caller on the headset, Scangarello is going to want to play with his new toy. Wide receivers will go long and gain yards after the catch to rack up the numbers for UK’s QB1.

Will Levis in G5/FCS games (3) last season:

-62/92 (67.3%)
-1040 yards (346.7 ypg)
-11.3 yards per attempt
-9 touchdowns, 4 interceptions

— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) August 30, 2022

Barion Brown will make a Jaw-Dropping Play

Tayvion Robinson is the playmaker we aren’t talking about enough on the Kentucky offense. He will get the most touches and rack up the most yards, but he will not defy logic quite like Barion Brown. The true freshman playmaker will take a short pass — maybe a screen or a push-pass — make seven guys miss in stupendous fashion, then run away from the defense. Bookmark it.

Kentucky will NOT have a 100-Yard Rusher

This is not a shot at Kavosiey Smoke, who is picking up his second career start in Chris Rodriguez‘s absence. In fact, his big-play ability is what puts this prediction in jeopardy of falling flat. However, he’s not the only one taking hand-offs. Sam Houston State transfer Ramon Jefferson, JuTahn McClain and La’Vell Wright (if he’s healthy enough to go) will also get their fair share of carries. How Rich Scangarello divvies out those touches will be something KSR is following closely throughout the season-opener.

Jacquez Jones will Pick Off a Pass

Miami is going to attack the UK defense through the air. Picked on quite a bit in 2021, this pass defense is eager to show how far they’ve come. I expect a PBU or two from Carrington Valentine on back-shoulder verticals, however, actually catching one of those is difficult. Instead, I expect the big takeaway to come in the form of a quick slant. Brett Gabbert will think he has the coverage he wants, until the disguised defense makes a late change and the experienced linebacker jumps into the passing lane. Jacquez Jones had four pass deflections and one interception in 2021.