SEC media voters put a chip back on Kentucky football’s shoulder
At this very moment, Mark Stoops might be putting his signature on a thank you card to the SEC media.
Last year, the members of the fourth estate finally awarded Stoops’ Kentucky football team some preseason love, tabbing the Wildcats to finish second in the SEC East behind defending national champion Georgia. That prediction didn’t wear so well. The Cats slid from 10-3 overall and 5-3 in the conference to 7-6 overall and 3-5 in league play.
This year, voters at SEC Media Days picked the Cats to finish fourth in the division this season behind Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina.
Hello chip (on the shoulder), UK’s old friend. Good to have you back.
It should be noted this year’s vote totals contained a high knucklehead quotient. Eight hilarious members picked Vanderbilt to win the SEC East. The Commodores have never come close to winning the division. Over the last four years, Vandy is 3-30 in league play.
Still, it’s highly probable Stoops took the vote not as a measure of disrespect so much as an opportunity to return the Cats to its comfort zone — under the radar when it comes to the conference narrative is concerned.
“That’s not anything I can really control, whether it’s above the radar or under the radar or any of that,” Stoops said Wednesday.
A similar chip might now belong to Devin Leary, Kentucky’s new quarterback who failed to make any of the media’s three preseason All-SEC teams. LSU’s Jayden Daniels was picked for the first team. Arkansas’ KJ Jefferson was the second-team QB. Mississippi State’s Will Rogers and Tennessee’s Joe Milton tied for third-team honors.
On the one hand, as a transfer from North Carolina State, Leary is an unproven product where the nation’s toughest conference is concerned. On the other hand, the New Jersey native has thrown for 62 touchdowns in his college career, compared to 16 interceptions. Two years ago, he threw for 35 TDs compared to five picks.
“I love the way he handles himself,” Stoops said of Leary, rated the No. 1 quarterback in the transfer portal. “I love the command that he has.”
Back to the vote: Georgia is Georgia. Kirby Smart’s squad is trying to become the first team to win three straight national championships since Minnesota in the 1930s.
Tennessee was the easy pick for No. 2 in the division. The Vols were 11-2 last season. They beat LSU in Baton Rouge and Alabama in Knoxville. They trounced Kentucky 44-6. Quarterback Hendon Hooker is off to the NFL, but successor Milton has plenty of potential.
Meanwhile, South Carolina ended its 2022 regular season with wins over Tennessee (63-38) and Clemson (31-30) before losing a white-knuckler to Notre Dame (45-38) in the Gator Bowl. Spencer Rattler returns at quarterback. Shane Beamer has recruited well.
And, oh yeah, the Gamecocks beat Kentucky 24-14 in Lexington last season. True, UK quarterback Will Levis did not play because of a foot injury. And it was South Carolina’s second win over the Cats in the last nine meetings. Still, a win is a win is a win.
For that matter, Vanderbilt surprised Kentucky at Kroger Field, as well. The 24-21 victory was Vandy’s first over UK since 2015, its first in Lexington since 2012.
“The minute we hit some adversity, I didn’t like the way we responded to that,” Stoops said Wednesday.
There will be adversity this season. There is adversity every season. And UK’s schedule is no picnic. Especially on the back end. After a Nov. 4 trip to Mississippi State, Kentucky finishes with Alabama at home on Nov. 11, then South Carolina in Columbia on Nov. 18 and Louisville in Louisville on Nov. 25.
By that point, preseason predictions won’t matter all that much.
“I like where we’re at as a program,” Stoops said. “Love our staff. Love the way this team has worked. We’re kind of chomping at the bit and ready to get going.”
