A Before, During, and After Look at the 2016 Schedule

In terms of scheduling, timing is not quite everything but it sure as heck can help, or in some cases, hurt.

Let’s take a look at Kentucky’s 2016 opponents and the teams they play before and after the Cats. This perspective offers a projective outlook and perhaps helps to lessen a daunting, on paper schedule to one that is potentially manageable on-the-field:

September 3^rd: Southern Mississippi

Prior Opponent-N/A

Next Opponent-Savannah State

Opening its season in Commonwealth Stadium, the Golden Eagles will have all of fall camp to dial in on a coveted and rare victory over a SEC opponent. The last USM road SEC win came in Tuscaloosa when it beat the Crimson Tide 21-0 in 2000. Shannon Dawson will be directing an offense that racked up over 7,000 total yards in 2015. Adding to game’s growing grudge and intrigue, Louisville grad transfer CB Devontre Parnell now calls Hattiesburg home. USM is expected to win its conference, but a win at Kentucky will be its early and concerted motivation.

September 10^th: At Florida

Prior Opponent-UMass

Next Opponent-North Texas

The Gators will feature a new starting quarterback in Luke Del Rio with hopes to bolster a stuttering offense. Down the 2015 stretch, stuttering may actually be a compliment when describing the mess that was the Gator offense. Remember this name, RB Mark Thompson. The JUCO product has the size and talent to possible alter Florida’s fate. In this three-week scenario, Kentucky is the meat in a cupcake sandwich. With back-to-back close calls verses the Cats, expect UF to be full-steam-ahead in the Swamp.

September 17^th: New Mexico State

Prior Opponent-New Mexico

Next Opponent-@Troy

In the week prior, the Aggies play its arch enemy. I fully expect a W here, but two aspects of this three-week period intrigues. NMSU is coached by former UK QB Doug Martin. After UK, Martin’s opponent will be Troy’s Neal Brown. Both played and coached at Kentucky.

September 24^th: South Carolina

Prior Opponent-East Carolina

Next Opponent-Texas A&M

Steve Spurrier did Will Muschamp no favors in the personnel department. Carolina could potentially be coming off an embarrassing home loss to the Pirates. The week after, the Gamecocks will be facing a track-meet in College Station.

October 1^st: At Alabama

Prior Opponent-Kent State

Next Opponent-@Arkansas

Nick Saban plays his alma mater in a warm-up game before UK comes a callin. One possible saving grace for the Cats is the Tide’s pending fist fight at Arkansas.

October 8^th: Vanderbilt

Prior Opponent-Florida

Next Opponent-@Georgia

Simply stated, this is a revenge game for Mark Stoops. After an embarrassing and costly 2015 loss in Nashville, Kentucky desperately needs this win. The Dores will be coming off a physical game against Florida. RB Ralph Webb’s durability will be put to test.  Nick Chubb and the ultra-talented Dawgs will be waiting. Tough stretch for Vandy.

October 8^th: Mississippi State

Prior Opponent: @BYU

Next Opponent: Samford

A Dak-less Dog squad will be fresh off a challenging road trip to Provo, Utah. A tangle with the Cougars and 4,551 feet of elevation could lead to Miss State having tired legs in Lexington. After the Cats, Samford will be a welcomed visitor in Starkville.

October 29^th: At Missouri

Prior Opponent-Middle Tennessee

Next Opponent-@ South Carolina

Tiger fans as well as new head coach Barry Odom will envision this three week stretch as a possible run on W’s.  All SEC DE Charles Harris, Walter Brady, Terry Beckner, and the hopeful return of Harold Brantley have all the makings of a nasty defensive front. But, this game will be there for the taking. No way around it, this is a must win.

November 5^th: Georgia

Prior Opponent-Florida

Next Opponent-Auburn

Depending on how the World’s Largest Cocktail Party turns out, the Dawgs could fly into Lexington packing a serious hangover or in a tizzy after losing to its hated neighbors to the south. To make matters more interesting, Georgia will play another rival in Auburn on the following Saturday. The Jimmies and Joes heavily favor the Dawgs. OG Greg Pyke, RB Nick Chubb, and OLB Lorenzo Carter are just a few of the future NFL’ers that will be on Kirby Smart’s first roster. But this particular three-week Georgia gauntlet sets up nicely for a potential Commonwealth Stadium upset.

November 12^th: At Tennessee

Prior Opponent-Tennessee Tech

Next Opponent-Missouri

At this stage in the season, Tennessee will be making its typical, year-ending, momentous run. The difference in 2016 is that UT may be playing its way to Atlanta and possibly beyond. The Volunteers are LOADED. QB Joshua Dobbs, RB Jalen Hurd, DE Derek Barnett, and two 1^st Team All SEC returners will be a tough out.

November 19^th: Austin Peay

Prior Opponent-EKU

If concerned here, there will be much bigger November fish to fry. Moving on.

November 26^th: At Louisville

Prior Opponent-Houston

The Ville didn’t win the AAC in its only season in the conference and wouldn’t have won it last year as its eventual champion, the Houston Cougars, beat the Cards in Papa John’s Stadium. In the upcoming season, Louisville QB Lamar Jackson and OLB Devonte Fields will be hard to handle regardless of opponent or geographical location. Nevertheless; for Louisville, back-to-back demonstrative games will be interesting.

So there you have it, the befores and afters for all 12 opponents. Some will face the Cats coming off tough losses or physical games that will be certain to take its toll. Others will be coming off cupcake parties. But when analyzing a schedule, it’s central to scrutinize each opponent within a three-week window.