2009 Kentucky NCAA Football Predictions

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kentucky 72909The Wildcats continued to dominate their non-conference schedule last season to extend their non-conference winning streak to 14 games, but the SEC was a different story. The Cats went just 2-6 in conference play, losing their final three conference contests to close out the regular season. Find out where I have Kentucky finishing in the SEC East in this 2009 NCAA football betting preview. Kentucky is listed at +12,500 to win the 2009 BCS championship at BetUS.

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Offense – It’s hard to win in the high-powered SEC if you don’t put points on the board. The Wildcats averaged just 22.6 points per game in 2008 (87th nationally), and head coach Rich Brooks knows he’s not going to challenge for an SEC title with that. Last season’s production was down from a 36.5 points per game average in 2007. Brooks is confident the offense will be better this season. The team is decided to go with Mike Hartline at quarterback and Randall Cobb at wide receiver. Cobb started four games at QB last season, but the team feels his speed and agility would be better served at the wide receiver position. Hartline played pretty conservatively last season and threw for 1,666 yards and nine scores against eight interceptions. Brooks and offensive coordinator Joker Phillips are looking for him to be more of a playmaker this fall. The Wildcats also figure to put in some sets which feature Cobb under center to give the opposition something else to think about. Alfonso Smith (204 yards on 74 carries last season) and Derrick Locke (319 yards on 63 totes) are expected to share carries at the running back position. The offensive line returns three starters and is led by left tackle Zipp Duncan and center Jorge Gonzalez. Seven players in all in this unit have at least three career starts under their belts so the Kentucky O-line shouldn’t be a weakness.

Defense – The Wildcats ranked 35th nationally in scoring defense (21.5 points per game allowed) and 40th in total defense (332.4 yards per game allowed) last season. This group should be pretty good again after dodging a bullet when Jeremy Jarmon, Micah Johnson, and Trevard Lindley decided not to test the NFL waters. The left side of the defensive front is about as good as it gets with Jarmon at end and Corey Peters at tackle. Micah Johnson is the heart and soul of the defense at middle linebacker. The senior is the Cats’ top returning tackler with 93 stops in 2008. The secondary held opponents to just 193.2 passing yards per game last year and should be pretty good again with cornerback Trevard Lindley leading the way. Lindley has a nose for the football and it showed when he picked off four passes last season.

Prediction: 6th SEC East – The Cats have accepted three straight bowl bids under Brooks, but earning a fourth straight will be a major accomplishment. The offense may improve on last year’s down numbers but likely not enough to do damage in the tough SEC East. Kentucky is listed at +2,500 to win the SEC East Division.

Beat the college football odds this season with the help of Jimmy Boyd’s college football picks!

About the Author: Jimmy Boyd is known for his consistency. He's a proven winner in college and pro football, college and pro basketball and pro baseball. He finished as the No. 1 ranked MLB handicapper in 2007 by earning $1,000/game bettors $50,050. He also finished as the No. 1 ranked basketball handicapper in the 2008-09 season, profiting $1,000/game bettors 38,530. His basketball plays have banked $1,000/game bettors nearly $80,000 the last five years. Check out Jimmy's premium picks for tonight!
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