What If: All the ways the 2022 Kentucky Football Season could have gone differently

Kentucky finished the 2022 season 7-5, highlighted by wins over Florida and Louisville. For most longtime Kentucky football fans, that’s an unforgettable, exceptional season. This year was different. Once ranked as high as No. 7 in the country, the bar was raised and the Wildcats did not meet lofty expectations.

“There will be time for reflection and looking at everything,” Mark Stoops said following the victory over Louisville. “There is always what ifs. It’s not like I’m going to live in the ‘what if world’ all the time, but you have to really look at things and make sure we’re growing and moving the program to where we all want it to be.”

Mark Stoops will not play that ‘What If’ game, but we can. Kentucky had an easy schedule, a future first rounder at quarterback, an all-time great running back and a Top 10 defense. The Cats should have been better than 7-5. A third 9-3 season in five years was well within reach. Here are all of the ways things could have gone differently.

What If Minnesota Hired Jim Harbaugh

It was Jim Harbaugh’s job to lose. About halfway through his visit to the Vikings’ facility, things soured. The Athletic detailed the potential deal’s demise, and it ultimately cost Kentucky. Instead of hiring Harbaugh, the Vikings took Kevin O’Connell from the L.A. Rams (a move that’s worked out well in Minnesota). Looking for a new offensive coordinator, Sean McVay called up his old pal Liam Coen.

Coen departed in February, well after the college football coaching carousel stopped spinning, leaving Mark Stoops without many options just days before the start of spring practice. He had unproven candidates from the pro ranks, but was fortunate to stumble open the experienced Rich Scangarello. There were many reasons to believe Coach Rich would work right away, but he was unable to adjust to Power Five defenses fast enough.

In 2021 Kentucky ranked No. 8 in the red zone, scoring touchdown on 72.2% of its appearances. This year the Wildcats rank 103rd, turning only 53.2% of their red zone appearances into touchdowns. It’s why Kentucky scored 10 fewer points per game (22.1) than a year ago. If the Wildcats scored 25 points in every game, their only loss would be to Tennessee.

What If Eric Wolford Stayed at Kentucky

Tyler Steen would have gone to Kentucky, not Alabama, giving the Wildcats a proven left tackle. Kenneth Horsey could have stayed at left guard, allowing Jager Burton to develop at his own pace. There’s also a better chance that Eli Cox‘s transition to center looks more like Luke Fortner‘s.

It does not matter who was coaching that group, it was going to be a big rebuilding year for the Big Blue Wall. Say what you will about Eric Wolford, the dude can recruit. Deone Walker and Barion Brown would not be at Kentucky without him. Wolford also played a pivotal role in Kiyaunta Goodwin‘s recruitment. Another year on the staff and he probably would have another couple dudes committed to Kentucky. Instead, he burnt bridges to coach for Nick Saban.

What If Chris Rodriguez Played a Full Season

Chris Rodriguez would have strolled his way to the top of UK’s record book as the school’s all-time leading rusher. He also would not have been rusty in his week five debut at Ole Miss. It takes everyone at least one game to get in football shape and his legs just weren’t there in the fourth quarter at Vaught Hemingway Stadium. Still, Kentucky should have won and Chris can still break the record, now just 230 yards away.

What If Barion Brown Did Not Get Tripped Up in Oxford

It looked like Barion Brown was taking this all the way, but he got tripped by his teammate 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/O4ptaxkuwU

— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) October 1, 2022

Instead of punching it into the end zone, Kentucky went four-and-out and turned the ball over on downs at the Ole Miss 38-yard line. Neither team scored another point in this game.

What If Will Levis Didn’t Get Hurt at Ole Miss

I’ve made it abundantly clear that his injuries were a convenient excuse for the lack of QB runs in 2022. However, there’s no denying the injuries limited his play at QB for most of the season. He just didn’t look like the same person playing quarterback after he was sacked for a safety at Ole Miss. Most importantly: does Kentucky lose to South Carolina with a healthy Will Levis under center? One thing is certain, Coach Rich isn’t dialing up a reverse pass on the first play of the game that turns into seven points for South Carolina.

What If Colin Goodfellow Did NOT get that Punt Off?

While all of these ‘what ifs’ have focused on an alternative positive outcome, it could have been much worse. It took a small miracle for the bad snap to somehow result in a Kentucky first down instead of a Missouri go-ahead fourth quarter touchdown. The Wildcats were one play miraculous away from needing a win over Louisville to earn bowl eligibility and secure their first victory in the month of November.

What If Kentucky Did Not Commit Two Fourth Quarter Penalties

This scenario produces the clearest alternative reality. If Kentucky gets set before Levis throws a fade to Dane Key, the Wildcats take the lead in Oxford with a minute to play. If Octavious Oxendine does not get his hands high, the Wildcats intercept Vanderbilt on fourth down and kneel out a win. Two plays are the difference between 7-5 and a third 9-3 regular season in five years. Football, and life, is a game of inches. It’s the difference between winning and losing, living and dying, and Kentucky did not get that extra inch or two in 2022.