First Down Kentucky: The Path to 8 Wins in 2024

Dates were finalized Wednesday night for the 2024 Kentucky football schedule. Even though the book still has not been closed on this season and rosters are still far from finalized, we can look ahead to what lies in store for Mark Stoops’ 12th season in Lexington.

One quick scan will make most predict a 7-5 finish. After all, Georgia is still on the slate and a road trip to Texas a year after they play in the CFB Playoff is not ideal. A 7-win season is the baseline. How can the Cats overachieve? Let’s break it down.

Win at Home

Kentucky plays eight games at Kroger Field. They will be favored, or a short underdog, in every one except the matchup with Georgia. If the Cats take care of business, they only need to pick off one of Ole Miss, Florida or Tennessee to reach eight wins. That’s easier said than done, especially when you consider that Kentucky is 2-7 in its last nine SEC home games.

The Kentucky Football Season in Three Parts

Two bye weeks provide natural breaks for us to break into thirds, even if they are slightly unbalanced. A fast start could forge a path to an expectation exceeding season.

Part 1: 4-1

The best Mark Stoops teams start off hot. The matchup with South Carolina is a must-win opportunity. Even though Ole Miss is returning a lot of production, Stoops’ previous three games against Ole Miss have been decided by a combined seven points. It’s always a close one between these two and Kentucky is due to finally get a W.

Part 2: 2-2

The month of October is not a brutal stretch. However, if we know Mark Stoops teams, they’ll win a game they shouldn’t and lose a game they shouldn’t. What that combination is during this four-game stretch, I can’t tell you now, but it’s safe to say they’ll go .500 during this run.

Part 3: 2-1

Beating Louisville might be what Mark Stoops does best. A sixth straight Governor’s Cup can get the Cats to eight wins, or maybe even more if they’re firing on all cylinders during the first year of the 16-team SEC.

Kentucky Bowl Practices Begin

Roster construction became the primary focus of Mark Stoops and his Kentucky coaching staff as soon as the season ended. They started by recruiting their own players, then hit the road to add new ones. After receiving a wave of transfers, the end is near with only six days until the Early Signing Period begins.

The Wildcats are slowly shifting into bowl prep mode. Corey Edmond and Mark Hill have been training the Cats in the weight room. On Friday they wrap up finals week by returning to the practice fields. Clemson prep will continue through Wednesday of next week before the team gets a few days off for Christmas break. Prepare to hear from players and coaches at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility after each of their practices in Lexington.

Kentucky Coaches on the Road

A day after Chip Trayanum announced he’s making the move from Ohio State to Kentucky, Mark Stoops and Vince Marrow celebrated with the running back in Columbus. Another future Wildcat, Brian Robinson, joined the UK coaches for the visit. They’ll wrap up their ventures on the road before hosting more visitors for the final recruiting weekend of the 2024 cycle.

I told yal we doing something special in Kentucky and it’s gonna keep getting better. @Chipperrz_ thanks for being a amazing person outside football. #BBNNation #BuildToPlayBuiltToLast #IWillNotBeAtWork #AthleteLife #MyDay #BeDifferent #StayReady #AthleteLife #MyDay #BeDiffrent… pic.twitter.com/IovQlsBXcB

— Brian Robinson AKA B Rob (@BRob_2323) December 13, 2023

Kentucky isn’t doing the Tyler Baron thing again

When Tennessee EDGE Tyler Baron entered the transfer portal, one KSBoard poster referred to him as Jarren Williams Baron. It has certainly felt that way over the year. Kentucky was the runner-up in his high school recruitment. Last year Baron flirted with the transfer portal and Kentucky appeared to be the destination if he was ready to move on. Now it’s clear the Cats have moved on.

On3’s Chad Simmons reports Texas, Georgia, Ole Miss and Alabama are schools to watch in this transfer portal recruitment. NIL appears to be a major factor for Baron and those destinations make sense. It also makes sense for Kentucky as the Cats have invested heavily in upgrading the position from the high school ranks. It was nice knowing ya, Mr. Jarren Baron.

Carter Smith is off the Big Board

The offensive lineman from Ohio spent his redshirt freshman season starting at left tackle on Indiana’s offensive line. Carter Smith entered the transfer portal and visited Ole Miss last weekend. A trip to Kentucky was on the table for this weekend until Curt Cignetti made a big move. The new Indiana coach convinced Smith to remove his name from the portal and stay in Bloomington. Even though Carter Smith is now unavailable, the Cats have more options on the offensive line, as Adam Luckett shared in his KSR+ Big Board.

Join the KSR Bowl Pick ‘Em Challenge

Time is ticking. Sign up today for the KSR/On3 Bowl Pick’Em Challenge. Prizes and bragging rights are on the line, so don’t wait. Sign up now before the Dec. 15 deadline.