How Close Is Kentucky to the Rest of the SEC?

Yesterday on the site we posted SaturdayDownSouth's rankings of the SEC and the  blog wasn't too high on the Cats. Kentucky's expectation level is on the rise but those expectations still have them coming in just ahead of Vandy for a thirteenth place finish. So despite a better outlook the Cats are still expected to be treading the same water. Just how close are we getting to breaking through? First we will take a look at closing the gap on recruiting: While the Cats have been recruiting better than they have EVER done before they are still in that 13th place when compared to the rest of the league. An important distinction is that 13th isn't in the 46th nationally ranked class anymore and is now trending towards the top 30. Here's how the complete order shakes out: 1. Alabama 1 2. LSU 6.75 3. Georgia 8.5 4. Auburn 9.25 5. Florida 9.25 6. Texas A&M 10.25 7. Tennessee 13.25 8. South Carolina 18.75 9. Mississippi 21.5 10. Mississippi State 25 11. Arkansas 25.75 12. Missouri 34.5 13. Kentucky 35.75 14. Vanderbilt 41.25 While we've been circling the Florida game as being prime time to end the streak but by looking at these numbers it's clear the Gators are still talents. Despite a slide in recruiting and defections these past four seasons the Gators are still very talented, especially on the defensive side of the ball. On offense they are very young with unknowns at QB and the line but new coach Jim McElwain has had success everywhere with his style of play. Catching them early in the year could be a double-edged sword as we won't have much tape on the way their offense is going to work. More likely to mark down as a W is the game against Missouri. Yes, the Tigers have been the surprise of the east the last two seasons but that hasn't done much on the recruiting trail. After losing 21 seniors to end last year, I can't imagine they will hit the trifecta and beat Tennessee, Florida, and Kentucky as they have these past two seasons. That has been the biggest factor in their rise to the top. Bottom line, Kentucky is closer than ever in talent to our SEC brethren. If you look at just the past three seasons that Stoops has been here the Cats pass Missouri to move to 12th. They also inch closer and closer to perennial opponents South Carolina and Mississippi State, both of whom we will have at home next season. Then factor in that the Cats currently hold the 19th spot for the class of 2016 with the future looking brighter all the time. As a caller on radio today said, first you sleep, then you creep, and finally you leap. This year is looking like the year we creep and shock some guys. Next year could very well be the year the Cats take the leap to battle for the east.