Kentucky has "excellent chance" to finish second in SEC East

The Bear has spoken, and it’s good news for the Kentucky Wildcats.

College GameDay’s Chris Fallica – better known as The Bear – joined the Fringe Element podcast with Braden Gall to discuss the upcoming college football season. After some brief gambling talk, things quickly transitioned to a Kentucky football love fest.

Among the highlights? The Bear believes Kentucky has an “excellent chance” to win the SEC East.

“I think Kentucky has an excellent chance to potentially finish second in the SEC East,” Fallica said. “You alluded to the schedule. I’m not concerned about (Liam) Coen or (Will) Levis being the quarterback there. I think Levis showed in that Ohio State game a couple of years ago he’s got a ton of potential. Wan’Dale Robinson is a game-breaker.”

He added that Mark Stoops’ offense is the best he’s had in “quite some time” at Kentucky, giving the Wildcats a solid shot to challenge Florida for the No. 2 spot in the division.

“People kind of underestimate this program.”

“I think Mark Stoops has his best offense he’s had in quite some time in Lexington,” he said. “People kind of underestimate this program, like ‘Oh, there’s no way they’re going to keep having guys drafted in the first round. Offensive and defensive lines, pass-rushers, linebackers. But they’ve recruited really well, and I think of those teams, I think it’s Kentucky who could ultimately challenge Florida for that No. 2 position in the SEC East.”

Looking for a record prediction? Think no worse than 7-5.

“Yes, yes I do (think they win seven games),” Fallica added. “I think 7-5 is probably the worst-case scenario for them. Earlier for them in the spring and summer when these numbers first got released, it was six and a half. Early bird gets the worm. A lot of people out there are holding Kentucky over six and a half (tickets).”

Fallica even ended the segment with a jab at the Louisville football program.

“I think it could even come down to that Louisville game at the end of the year, which I think – and we’re not going to talk about the ACC here – but I think Louisville’s got a lot of problems this year,” he said.

The Bear is best known for his work as College GameDay’s research producer, joining the show in 1996.

He’s praised the Kentucky football program and Stoops as a coach over the years, but not quite to this level. It’s pretty clear the longtime college football expert is high on the 2021 Wildcats.