The five questions Kentucky football must answer to take the next step in 2020
LSU and Clemson were bringing the 2019 college football season to a close Monday night. Once the final second elapsed in the national championship game, college football’s page turned to 2020.
After Kentucky’s thrilling 37-30 come-from-behind victory over Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl on New Year’s Eve, the Wildcats were already looking ahead to the coming season.
Even with junior offensive star Lynn Bowden entering his name in the 2020 NFL Draft, “Our best team is probably coming back next year,” UK tight ends coach/recruiting ace Vince Marrow said.
Kentucky went 10-3 in 2018 and won the Citrus Bowl. It finished 8-5 in 2019 after claiming the Belk Bowl. Senior-to-be wideout Josh Ali said the goal in 2020 is to exceed both seasons.
“I really want us to be better than the (2018) team,” Ali said. “I want to do more. I want to go to a bigger bowl. I want more.”
For a Kentucky team returning 15 starters to take the next step, answers must be found to these five questions.
1. Will a healthy Terry Wilson return to solidify the Kentucky quarterback position?
UK Coach Mark Stoops expressed confidence before the Belk Bowl that Wilson would be ready to go when the Wildcats open the 2020 season against Eastern Michigan Sept. 5.
It was against EMU in 2019’s second game that Wilson suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee that ended his year.
Adding a senior quarterback with a 12-3 record as a starter back into the mix would be an obvious boon to Kentucky’s chances of doing something special in 2020.
“I one-hundred percent anticipate he’ll be ready to go,” Stoops said of Wilson.
In response to a question, the UK coach allowed that the Kentucky medical staff has not assured him of that. “I’m making a call there,” a grinning Stoops said.
The Kentucky head man’s eagerness for the return of a healthy Wilson is understandable. If that does not happen, UK enters 2020 with complete uncertainty at QB..
Sawyer Smith, last season’s backup, returns. The graduate transfer from Troy had a rough go (45.2 percent completions) after Wilson was injured. What we don’t know is how much of that was due to injuries to Smith’s wrist and shoulder.
Touted Auburn expatriate Joey Gatewood will not be eligible to play in 2020 barring a transfer waiver from the NCAA.
Redshirt freshman Nik Scalzo is also returning from a major injury (torn ACL). Classmate Amani Gilmore was not deemed ready for meaningful snaps in 2019.
Former Lexington Catholic star Beau Allen is a talent, but he will be a true freshman.
Kentucky needs Wilson healthy.
2. What is UK’s “offensive identity” going forward?
After the injuries sidelined Wilson and hindered Smith, Kentucky moved slot receiver Bowden to QB.
Offensive coordinator Eddie Gran morphed the Cats’ attack from conventional into a read-option, ground juggernaut. The Wildcats ended up fourth in the nation in rushing yards per game (278.8).
With Bowden gone, does UK try to retain any of last season’s ground-hugging flavor?
If healthy, Wilson is fast and can make plays with his legs (he ran for 547 yards in 2018) — but he does not have the power or balance as a runner that Bowden provided.
So does Kentucky have a new “wildcat formation QB” who can supply some of what Bowden did?
3. Where does Kentucky find dynamic playmaking?
If you look at the most important game-changing offensive plays from both 2018 and 2019, most were supplied by Bowden — either as a receiver, a returner or a runner.
To keep climbing the SEC ladder, UK needs playmakers to emerge who can stress defenses the caliber of Florida and Georgia.
4. Who fills some big shoes on the defensive line?
Kentucky will return seven defensive starters in 2020, but two of the losses — tackle Calvin Taylor (team-high 8.5 sacks) and end T.J. Carter (six tackles for loss) — come from the Cats’ three first-team defensive linemen.
In recent seasons, UK has developed enough depth to rotate linemen. Backups Kordell Looney (end) and Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald (tackle) return.
Kentucky hopes that Phil Hoskins, who missed his senior season with injuries, will get a sixth year. There’s also the possibility of moving Josh Paschal, from outside linebacker to a down lineman.
5. Can Kentucky finally slay its ghosts?
UK enters 2020 having beaten Missouri five straight. The Cats have won five of the past six over both South Carolina and Vanderbilt and three of the past four against Louisville.
To keep progressing, Kentucky has to start winning games against the three SEC programs that have traditionally haunted the Wildcats.
Kentucky has lost 26 of 29 against Georgia; 33 of 35 vs. Tennessee; and 32 of 33 against Florida.
For UK to keep its program rising, it has to throw off the hold of its three longtime tormentors.
