Kentucky football 2024 schedule predictions: UK will make a push for the playoff

Kentucky football is just a couple of days away from kicking off their 2024 season and I think the schedule is actually going to go a lot better for the cats than most people think you are locked on Kentucky your daily podcast on the Kentucky Wildcats part of the locked on podcast Network your team every day all right what's going on Big Blue Nation welcome on in to lockon Kentucky your daily Kentucky Wildcats podcast I'm your host Lance Dawn on today's episode of lockon Kentucky we are going to be previewing Kentucky football's entire 2024 schedule I'm going to be predicting every single game on this slate going to be breaking down why I choose a win or a loss and then we're going to take a look at the entire schedule and the Outlook could the cats make the college football playoff I certainly think they'll end up being in the conversation thank you than you so much for making locked on Kentucky your first listen every single day want to remind everyone out there that we are free and available on all platforms and if you are watching on YouTube I would greatly appreciate it if you subscribe to the show and if you are listening on podcast I would also appreciate it if you subscribed there as well today's episode is brought to you by 5our energy 5H Hour Energy fixes tired fast with zero sugar and a convenient portable size it's the perfect pickme up for getting stuff done you can go to 5our energy.com and use promo code locked on college football to receive 20% off your order again that's promo code locked on CFB this offer is only valid until September 30th on one order and cannot be used with other promotions go to 5our energy.com today all right let's go ahead and get into it Kentucky football's 2024 football schedule going to be giving you a prediction here for every single game going to be giving you a win loss A score prediction as well and then I'm going to break down in further detail why I think the cats are going to win or lose so we'll start here at the top with the Southern Miss golden eagles who are coming to town this weekend August 31st as we mentioned on yesterday's preview show we broke down that game in case you want to go find it on your YouTube or podcast feed I believe KY is going to beat the golden eagles because this is not the Southern Miss of old this is not the Southern Miss that gave Kentucky fits just a few years ago and it's not the team that beat them with Nick Mullen in 2016 this team is significantly less talented and they've got a lot more holes across their roster that really do give me question as to whether or not will Hall head coach will be here towards the end of the season new offensive and defensive coordinator in chip long and then also as well on the defensive side we've got I have it in my notes down here clay bignal the the defensive coordinator at Eastern Illinois FCS program for the last two years he's going to be taking over that side of the ball but just not a ton here to be really excited about Tate romaker how is he going to fit in this system you've also got a lot of question marks at receiver despite bringing back your 59 slot guy Tai Mims defensively you've got a couple of different transfers coming in one of them from Purdue a former fourstar coming out of high school a Coastal Carolina linebacker uh commitment who was productive two seasons ago I just don't really know if there's a ton here so I think that KY is going to win this game 4117 is what I've got down here my why reason why I stated on yesterday's show and reasons I just reator reiterated here week two your SEC on ABC matchup I believe it's the first SEC on ABC matchup of the SEC ABC slate now that we've kind of transitioned away from CBS which is just a shame um by the way the music that ESPN and ABC have chosen for these matchups they just released it today on Twitter it could be better it could it could be better there there is room for improvement at least we know that South Carolina coming to town to Lexington I think Kentucky is going to win this game 2717 is the final score that I have why do I think that the wild cats are going to end up winning this game I think that South Carolina has pieces I think Leno sellers could end up being a solid quarterback for them albeit uh against the fact that he will be wearing glasses on the field if I'm not mistaken which looks a little dorky but hey if you're out there slinging The Rock and you're scoring points I don't think anybody really is going to Care um if anything they'll think that it makes you look cool or unique but South Carolina they've got pieces but they are not as complete as Kentucky is across the entire starting 22 there are questions about South Carolina in the trenches their offensive and defensive line can it be better than it was a season ago and last season the offensive line was horrendous can you take advantage of some of the skill position talent that you have both in the defensive back field and at receiver again I think a lot of it has to do with how you Faire across the lines Shane Beamer can you get it done I don't think they're going to be able to get it done this early in the year especially with sellers in his second game at QB starting as the full-time starter I should say uh for the gamec so I think ky's going to win that game and I think they're going to win it by 10 week three a game that I so desperately want to pick Kentucky to win the Georgia Bulldogs they're going to be coming to town I think Kentucky Los this game I've got it at 35 to 16 right now why do I think Kentucky's going to lose this game I think that this right now if you're looking at like where you could get Georgia in the schedule this is not the spot you want them in Vander Griff week three as a starter still figuring things out you're you're trying to kind of get everybody together cohesively on the offensive side of the ball chip trainum is not going to be available if I'm not mistaken this may actually be his first game back I don't know but there's a lot of I think things that could be solved later in the year if you face off against Georgia later on that won't be answered or at least fully answered in this game so for that reason because of Georgia's Talent level because of how solid they are in the trenches I'm going to take the bulldog to end up winning this game again 35 to6 is the final score and then as we we get closer towards the end of September we haven't exited September yet the Ohio Bobcats September 21st I think Kentucky's going to win this game to improve to three and one one and one in SEC play 4510 is the final score that I have why do I think Kentucky is going to beat the Bobcats well Ohio lost quarterback Curtis roor to the transfer portal they lost a ton of different guys to the portal and to graduation and they just don't have a ton of high-end skill position Talent there's not a whole lot here to be really thrilled about you just look at the roster and go that's a middle of the pack Mac team or below the bottom of the barrel Mac team not a whole lot to be thrilled about of course we talked about this on yesterday's show Kentucky struggled in matchup like in matchups like this in Seasons past and they had an NFL quarterback for the last two years or excuse me for the two years with uh with Will L who know who knows Deon ly with the other Ravens we'll see how he does but I don't want to see that here the reason I sze because this is right about the time in the schedule where you say okay you should win by somewhere between 17 to a million points and you end up winning by 17 14 just barely at the end because you pulled away even though the game was way too close for way too long ky's better ky's better talent wise they're playing at home this team lost a lot in the Bobcats I think Kentucky should win this game so three and one one in one in SEC play heading into what I believe will be the game that Sparks a massive Run for the Kentucky Wildcats before we continue along here with our preview I want to tell you guys about our friends over at 5H Hour Energy 5H Hour Energy absolutely helps me whenever I crash right after lunch and if you crash after lunch you're not Al alone in fact research research shows that more than 70% of us hit the wall after we have lunch so let a 5-hour Energy Shot help you leap over that wall instead of crashing into it there's zero sugar and it's a convenient portable size it's the perfect pickme up for getting stuff done and 5H Hour Energy their website has all different kinds of flavors my personal favorite is grape I'm a big grape flavor guy watermelon tropical burst Berry grape there's a flavor for every everyone out there you can try them all and you can also kind of mix and match 12 or 24 packs so if you want to try out a bunch of different flavors which I would strongly encourage you to do so you can do that and it's delivered right to your door if you go to 5H Hour Energy that is the number five hour energy.com and get some 5H Hour Energy product today you can use my promo code locked on CFB to receive 20% off your order this offer is only valid until September 30th on one order and cannot be used with other promotions the code is not good on subscription orders again that is code locked on CFB to get 20% off your order go to 5our energy.com today all right continuing along here on the Thursday edition of locked on Kentucky Lance doll hanging out here with you really appreciate you guys checking out the show today if you have not subscribed to the YouTube channel or the podcast feed I would greatly appreciate it if you did so thank you so much to everybody that has gotten us over the hump 13,000 subscribers 13,000 of you just absolutely insane to think about thank you so much to everybody that's joined up and hey if you're new would appreciate it if you subscribed got a lot of fun Kentucky football and basketball content coming your way as we kick off here we are less than 72 hours away from kickoff I am so so excited let's keep it pushing here right now we have Kentucky at 3- one one in1 in the SEC and I teased this this game here September 28th I think could be the pivotal point the thing that Sparks a Kentucky run in the middle of the season and that is a game at all Miss I think Kentucky wins this game I think Kentucky goes on the road into Oxford against what will probably still be a top 10 maybe even top five Miss team and I think the cats win why do I think Kentucky wins well it goes back to what we were talking about just a few episodes ago if Kentucky did not shoot themselves in the foot multiple times they would have walked away from Oxford in their previous contest with a victory we gave the game away last time this contest was played we should have won obviously the two teams very different in makeup you've got some more Talent on the defensive line if you're old Miss kuy's offensive line a lot stronger than it was two seasons ago receivers are now growing up more mature you have Jackson Dart heading into his final season of Collegiate football who is really really solid there are a lot of different things that are different about these two squads I'm curious to see what Miss has at receiver and yes Lane kein offenses are going to go and things are just going to happen and then you've got guys like dayon Wade who I believe are still here that can lead this this receiving core but what does the depth look like and what does that look like against Kentucky secondary if the wild cats don't commit a ton of turnovers like they did previously and they make their field goals and they don't have bad special teams moments overall they win the game I think Stoops and his staff can prepare a game plan that can be executed well by their team well enough to go and get a win I think Stoops and Company pick a pick up a massive Road win against a top 10 team in Old Miss 3430 is the final score that I have written down here then you return home and what is just a perfect Trap game against the Vanderbilt commodor October 12th 4-1 two- one in the SEC you're feeling good you're ranked at this point there's no way you're not I think Kentucky eats this one out 3124 is the final score that I have here why do I think Kentucky wins by about a touchdown Diego Pavia transfer quarterback for Vanderbilt came in from New Mexico State just a physical hard-nosed kid I think he would be somebody that could come in and lead the commodor and kind of try and gut out a win I don't think it'll be enough considering I think very highly of this Kentucky team this season I don't really know if it's going to matter much towards the end of the game against a more talented team how Pavia and Company sort of try and gut it out again like I said earlier there's just not enough there on Vanderbilt's roster with Clark Lee to make me think that there is an upset Brewing of course I could have said that a couple years ago when Kentucky lost to Vanderbilt and you know we saw what happened there so so I think this is a trap game perfect Trap game but nonetheless the Wildcats win it to improve it to 5- one 3- one in the SEC and this is the game that I hope I didn't skimp over when talking about all these wins that I think KY is going to pick up this year and that's a game at Florida October 19th 5-1 3-1 in the SEC I think Kentucky wins this game but I want to be clear here it would not Shock me if Kentucky lost this why do I think Kentucky wins this game cats are more talented right now I think Kentucky is a more complete team top to bottom as a roster than the Florida Gators are I don't think a ton of people would strongly push back on that it's just the direction of Florida's program right now underneath Billy Napier not a whole lot of things are going well the recruiting for next season is right now abysmal in the SEC they're ranked underneath Kentucky by a few spots nationally and ky's created a winning streak against the Gators sure they could lose but I'd favor Kentucky right now I think that 6- one you have a bull Birth by October 26th 2321 is the final score prediction for me here okay and then a game that I talked about just an episode or so ago against the Auburn Tigers Kentucky heading in six-1 4-1 in the SEC I think Kentucky wins this one too 2719 why do I think Kentucky ends up winning this game I think these two rosters are very comparable on paper and I think that being at home for Kentucky makes the difference in this contest that's kind of it at the end of the day I think these two teams are similar in terms of just Talent on their roster and in terms of ability to develop to scheme against a team that is on a similar playing field as them I think that they are very comparable I think this game will be very very close but at the end of the day I have Kentucky winning by eight points 27 to 19 to improve to seven and one and ladies and gentlemen this is where things get really really tough towards the back end can Kentucky keep things going at 7 and one can they find themselves in the college football playoff conversation we'll break it down wrap it up here in just a moment before I do that though I want to tell you guys about our friends over at FanDuel you've heard us talk a lot about fanduels America's number one sports book and today we have something a little different for you guys because now through September 22nd all FanDuel customers can bet $5 and get a 3-week free trial of NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV then with a YouTube TV Bas plan you'll be able to watch every regular season Sunday afternoon out of Market game all you need is a Google account and a current form of payment and you can cancel literally any time just visit fanduel.com locked-on to download America's number one sports book again that is fanduel.com lockon today's episode is also brought to you by Factor meals you can fuel up with factors no prep No Mess meals meet your Wellness goals thanks to 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incredibly tough but this is I think the most difficult part of Kentucky football's upcoming schedule and I want to remind you guys before we wrap this up by the way and we kind of break down whether or not I think Kentucky has a shot of the college football playoff let me know what you think about this year's upcoming schedule give me your record pred prediction tell me how you think the schedule's going to go for this offense and defensive remark stops and Company would love to hear you in the comments below at lockt onuk on Twitter is where you can find me as well Tennessee Volunteers Kentucky rolling in 7- one 5- one in SEC play you are at this point in the college football playoff conversation you are no longer ol Miss in the top 10 being upset or excuse me you're no longer playing against teams like ol Miss in the top 10 being upset you are Miss at this point hoping that you don't get upset or lose just outright to a better opponent this is a game where I think it would be like a minor upset a loss at Tennessee 3828 is what I've got here why I think Tennessee quietly and I hate to say this quietly is walking into the season with one of the better rosters in college football good in the trenches solid in the trenches fun skill position players solid linebackers just overall a strong identity they know what they are and they go out and they play their brand of football Nico Yama I believe it's Yama Lea leava yava believe that's how he pronounce his last name I had it written down and ready to go before we started here and I've since botched It Anyway Nico yum y now I can't say it yumy leama leava goodness gracious I believe that he's going to pin out I think he's going to be a good quarterback and playing at home in a rivalry that Tennessee has had a lot of success in recently again a team that knows its identity that has really pushed around some Mark stups teams as of late 3828 I think that's fair I think this is fair puts Kentucky at seven and two heading into their game against Murray State the racers I think Kentucky wins 5517 why do I need to say anything other than it's Murray State fingers crossed knock on wood whatever I need to do to make sure Kentucky doesn't drop this random game here in between Tennessee and Texas please please don't 5517 on the road at Texas this is interesting because I think Kentucky is the type of team to give Texas problems physical upfront on both ends strong running game I think Kentucky at the end of the year is going to have a strong Back Field a quarterback that is extremely talented and a coach that knows how to go on the road and win in Stoops and compete in Stoops you roll in 8 and2 5-2 in the SEC you're still ranked High still got a shot I I think that right now I'm I'm I'm taking Texas to win this one it's a top five roster in sport it's on the road and it's in Austin yes there is a world where Kentucky makes us Uber competitive or even wins outright I don't know if this late in the year you can favor Kentucky over Tennessee or Over Texas I put UT down just read it as Tennessee 3631 is the final score that I have written down here a loss for the Kentucky Wildcats and then to round out the season round it out on a positive note eight and three five and3 in the SEC I think they get a win against what will end up being a good Louisville team 40 to 31 why we could dive into the analysis we could tell you about players we could tell you about matchups I think Kentucky owns this series that's where I leave it that's what I put down on my notes we own this series we're going to win at home N9 and3 to in the year 5 and3 in the SEC with losses to again Tennessee Texas and Georgia your biggest win being over the Old Miss Rebels solid wins against Florida and Auburn bur as well is that enough to get you into the college football playoff I think it puts them firmly in the conversation at 9 and three but does it but does it does it confidently put them in over a couple of other candidates I don't know let me know what you think in the comments 34 points per game is what the average is here 23.7 points allowed per game pretty you know it's not the widest of margins for a 9 and3 team but of course I think a lot of these games are going to be tightly contested for the cats and I think at the end of the day they'll Prevail in some they'll lose in others and 9 and three is a solid year for Mark stops what do you do building upon this in future Seasons I really do think now that we are merging into this bigger SEC my concern earlier this year last year on the show was Kentucky may get left behind as a middle of the pack team they may slide down to a bottom fourth team in this league because of recruiting because of whatever it may be because of just how much how many resources other programs have but if you pick up the wins through recruiting which has gotten really good recently it's going to continue to come it's going to continue to to to to flourish you're going to get the resources you have the resources you have a lot of money poured into this program no doubt 9 and three I think is a really good start I think you can build on this so let me know what you think in the comments below Kentucky football going 9 and three that's where I've got them that's going to do it for today's episode of Locked on Kentucky hey you can follow the show on Twitter at lockon UK you can follow me on Twitter at lore and follow the show over on Instagram that is at Kentucky podcast any questions comments concerns leave those in the YouTube comments below hit me on the socials I will see you all tomorrow for another episode of lockon Kentucky hope you guys have a great rest of your day and God bless [Music]