Kentucky football is dead last in turnover margin. So how does it have six wins?
On my podcast with Josh Moore, we mentioned that it is amazing that Kentucky football is 6-2 on the season considering the Wildcats rank last nationally in turnover margin. Dead last.
Through eight games, UK has turned the ball over 16 times, while gaining just four turnovers on defense. That averages out to minus-1.5 per game in turnover margin. That ranks 130th out of the 130 teams playing FBS football this season.
The defense’s four turnovers gained is tied for last in the nation with Memphis and Florida International. The 16 turnovers committed is tied for 113th nationally.
So how does UK have six wins? Not sure there’s a good answer to that question. But one thing is for sure, that 6-2 record is an anomaly compared to most of the other teams at the bottom of the turnover margin rankings.
Here’s a look:
▪ 120. Texas State is at -0.88 per game. The Bobcats have turned it over 18 times, compared to 11 takeaways. They are 2-6 overall and 1-3 in the Sun Belt Conference.
▪ 120. Florida is at -0.88 per game. Dan Mullen’s Gators have turned it over 16 times, while getting just nine back. Florida is 4-4 overall and 2-4 in the SEC, including a 20-13 loss at Kentucky.
▪ 120. Maryland is at -0.88 per game. The Terrapins have lost the ball 14 times, while gaining seven turnovers. Maryland is 5-3 overall, but just 2-3 in the Big Ten.
▪ 120. Florida International is at -0.88 per game. FIU has turned it over 11 times, while its defense has forced just four turnovers. Butch Davis’ Panthers are 1-7 overall and 0-4 in Conference USA.
▪ 124. San Jose State is at -1.00 per game. The Spartans have forced seven turnovers, but committed 16. They are 5-4 on the year, including 3-2 in the Mountain West.
▪ 125. Southern Miss is at -1.13 per game. It has been a rough season for the Eagles, who are 1-7 overall and 0-4 in C-USA. Southern Miss has turned it over 20 times, compared to 11 forced turnovers.
▪ 125. Old Dominion is at -1.13 per game. The Monarchs are 2-6 overall and 1-3 in C-USA. ODU has turned it over 15 times, while forcing just six turnovers.
▪ 127. Tulane is at -1.38 per game. The Green Wave has turned the ball over 20 times, compared to just nine takeaways. Tulane is 1-7 overall and 0-4 in the American Athletic Conference.
▪ 127. Memphis is at -1.38 per game. The Tigers have turned it over 15 times, compared to a scant four takeaways. The Tigers are 4-4 overall and 1-3 in the AAC.
▪ 127. Arizona is at -1.38 per game. It has been a trying first year for coach Jed Fisch. The Wildcats are still looking for their first win after five Pac-12 games and eight games overall. They’ve turned it over 17 times, while forcing just six turnovers.
▪ 130. Kentucky is at -1.50 per game. Yet Mark Stoops’ Cats sit in second place in the SEC East at 4-2 and have already clinched bowl eligibility at 6-2. After intercepting 16 passes last season, UK has just picked off three passes this year. On the flip side, quarterback Will Levis has thrown nine interceptions, including three last week in the 31-17 loss at Mississippi State. Total turnover margin count: 16 giveaways, four takeaways.
This story was originally published November 4, 2021 at 9:44 AM.
