Final Kentucky Bowl Projections Before Selection Sunday

The college football iteration of Selection Sunday is infinitely lamer than college basketball’s. Instead of unveiling all of the postseason games at one time, once the CFB Playoff reveals its final four there is a free-for-all among the rest of the bowl games. Before the final rankings drop this Sunday at noon, here’s where the latest bowl projections place Kentucky.

• ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura: TaxSlayer Gator Bowl vs. NC State (Dec. 31, 11 a.m., ESPN, TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL)
• ESPN’s Mark Schlabach: Citrus Bowl vs. Iowa (Jan. 1, 1 p.m., ABC, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL)
• The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel: Citrus Bowl vs. Iowa (Jan. 1, 1 p.m., ABC, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL)
• Yahoo! Sports: Citrus Bowl vs. Iowa (Jan. 1, 1 p.m., ABC, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL)
• 247 Sports’ Brad Crawford: Citrus Bowl vs. Iowa (Jan. 1, 1 p.m., ABC, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL)
• Bleacher Report: Citrus Bowl vs. Iowa (Jan. 1, 1 p.m., ABC, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL)
• Sporting News’ Bill Bender: Citrus Bowl vs. Iowa (Jan. 1, 1 p.m., ABC, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL)
• Action Network’s Brett McMurphy: Citrus Bowl vs. Iowa (Jan. 1, 1 p.m., ABC, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL)
• College Football News: Citrus Bowl vs. Iowa (Jan. 1, 1 p.m., ABC, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL)
• USA Today’s Erick Smith: Outback Bowl vs. Wisconsin (Jan. 1, Noon, ESPN2, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL)
• CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm: Outback Bowl vs. Wisconsin (Jan. 1, Noon, ESPN2, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL)
• Athlon Sports: Outback Bowl vs. Wisconsin (Jan. 1, Noon, ESPN2, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL)

Three Bowl Projection Takeaways

1. Kyle Bonagura doesn’t care

ESPN’s second fiddle sure acts like one in his bowl projections. Each week he keeps mailing it in, placing Kentucky in a bowl game they attended last year. If the Wildcats returned to Jacksonville it would be the third time in six years. That just doesn’t happen. Be better, Bonagura.

2. An Early Line

In addition to Brett McMurphy’s predictions, Action Network shares projected early lines. A theoretical matchup between Kentucky and Iowa on a neutral field makes UK a -.5 favorite. The Hawkeyes can’t score, unless it’s on defense and special teams. If the Cats don’t throw a pick six or get a kick blocked, I think Liam Coen’s offense can run up the score, a la Purdue, to win big.

3. Orlando is lovely in January

Prior to seeing what the “experts” said, I was planning my Orlando vacation. Is it just a hunch or am I hearing Citrus Bowl? Maybe a little bit of both. Either way, I can’t wait to see y’all in Florida.