Kentucky Bowl Projections after seven games

Kentucky football helmet stock photo — (Dr. Michael Huang | KSR)

Kentucky got off the mat on Saturday night at Kroger Field recording the biggest win of the season by dominating No. 16 Mississippi State with stingy defense, a dominant rushing game, and an explosive passing attack After it looked like the season could fall apart, Mark Stoops and his program got things back on the tracks.

The Cats play idle in Week 8 of the college football season and currently sit at 5-2 (2-2) with five games remaining. Kentucky is an expected favorite in three contests (Missouri, Vanderbilt, Louisville) and an expected underdog in two games (Tennessee, Georgia). There is a chance to close strong and end up in an exciting bowl destination.

Let’s check in on the projections to see where the Cats could land. Another New Year’s in Central Florida seems possible.

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ESPN’s Mark Schlabach: ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Illinois (Jan. 2, Noon, ESPN 2, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.)
ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura: Gator Bowl vs. North Carolina (Dec. 30, 3:30 p.m., ESPN, TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Fla.)
Brett McMurphy: ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Purdue (Jan. 2, Noon, ESPN2, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.)
CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm: ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Pittsburgh (Jan. 2, Noon, ESPN2, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.)
Sporting News’ Bill Bender: ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Purdue (Jan. 2, Noon, ESPN2, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.)
247 Sports: Liberty Bowl vs. Kansas (Dec. 28, 5:30 p.m., ESPN, Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis, Tenn.)
College Football News: ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Illinois (Jan. 2, Noon, ESPN 2, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.)
Athlon Sports: ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Illinois (Jan. 2, Noon, ESPN 2, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.)

If Scott Satterfield is let go at Louisville, odds are that Purdue’s Jeff Brohm could be the next head football coach on South Floyd Street. A scenario could be in play where he would leave his current team before playing Kentucky. That could create some juicy storylines.

Or just give us Mark Stoops vs. Bret Bielema as two former Iowa Hawkeyes who have similar philosophies on how football should be played. Either way, a trip to Tampa for New Year’s could be fun for the Big Blue Nation.