2009 Kentucky Wildcats Football Preview

Mike Hartline battled through injuries to his top receiver and running back last season to lead the Wildcats to their unprecedented third straight bowl win. Hartline isn't considered a glamour quarterback like freshmen backups Morgan Newton and Ryan Mossakowski but he can be an effective game-manager. With a year of experience under his belt Hartline should be more relaxed even though he will be throwing to an youthful receiving corps.

Backs and Receivers

Derrick Locke is a speedster who missed several games last year due to a knee injury. His backup, Alfonso Smith, has also had health issues. If those two can stay on the field they could be a very effective combination. Throw in bowling ball Moncell Allen and UK could be the SEC's version of the 2007 New York Giants.

Dicky Lyons is gone following an injury-shortened senior campaign. Randall Cobb, who was a highly recruited quarterback, takes over as the gamebreaker. Junior college receiver Chris Matthews has been getting rave reviews in practice. Backups Gene McCaskill and Kryus Lankster bring experience but no senior will likely receive playing time at the position.

Offensive Line

Left tackle Zipp Duncan and center Jorge Gonzalez could be NFL draft choices in 2010, though Gonzalez will miss the season opener due to suspension. Justin Jeffries and Christian Johnson are also seniors and redshirt freshman Matt Smith has been receiving positive notices in practice. Still, an injury to one of the seniors will raise question marks on the line's ability to keep Hartline unscathed.

Defensive Line

Jeremy Jarmon is a Washington Redskin. That wasn't supposed to be the case. If Jarmon were back this front four would be fearsome. Without him, they're still pretty decent. Corey Peters and Ricky Lumpkin will anchor the wall and junior college transfer DeQuin Evans will step in to replace Jarmon. The big question mark is Lumpkin's consistency - he must bring it every game.

Linebackers

Middle lineacker Micah Johnson will try to improve his 2010 draft standing. Outsiders Sam Maxwell and Danny Trevathan had sparks last season as reserves and are anxious to show they can increase their productivity as first-time starters. Like the offensive line this unit could have questions if one of the starters goes down.

Defensive Backs

The best unit of the team by far, Trevard Lindley may have been the first defensive back chosen in the 2009 draft. If he continues his play he could be regarded as the best DB to wear a Kentucky uniform and a possible top-10 overall pick in 2010. Sophomore Winston Guy is a highly-recruited local product who steps in at free safety and Randall Burden is underrated playing at the opposite corner of Lindley, though he had better be ready as he figures to get a lot of balls thrown his way with quarterbacks likely to avoid his counterpart. Backups Matt Lentz, Paul Warford and Ashton Cobb bring experience to this stellar corps.

Special Teams

Kicker Lones Seiber should become the all-time leading scorer in UK history, though he has had consistency problems. Punter Ryan Tydlacka should be improved and can also back up Seiber.

Prediction

Miami (Ohio), Louisiana-Monroe, Eastern Kentucky and Mississippi State should be victories. Louisville is desperate and Vanderbilt traditionally plays UK tough but the 'Cats should score wins in both games. Florida, Georgia and Alabama would be huge upsets. That leaves Tennessee, South Carolina and Auburn. It's been 24 years since the Vols last lost to UK and they have never beaten Steve Spurrier. One of those two milestones should end this year.

2009 Record: 7-5.

Source

Cosby, Chip and Mark Story. "College Football". Lexington Herald-Leader. August 30, 2009.