UK Football: Bowl Bound?

(Jr TE Jacob Tamme bruised Tennessee defenders late in the fourth including a 38 yard strike from Woodson that got Kentucky to the TEN 16 yardline which helped lead to their game-deciding 1st and Goal series. Tamme finished with 7 catches, 120 yards - his first career 100 yard game.)

The Wildcats lost one heck of a game 17-12 at Tennessee over the weekend. The ‘Cats' missed xtra point and FG were four points they wished they had because would have only needed a FG to lead Tennessee in their late game deciding drive that ended on 4th and goal, but honestly adding in both team's missed points in the game, it could have been 20-16 Tennessee for Kentucky on their last redzone visit that came up empty for them after having a beautiful 1st and G at the TEN 6 late in the 4th. This game couldn't have been handed to them any better with a 2nd and G at the TEN 3 yard line before being pushed back 5 yards by way of a delay of game penalty. You just knew Rafael Little was about to put Kentucky up on the Volunteers at their house, and what woulda happened then, I don't know, but I do know Kentucky was capable of giving Tennessee a dose of a late season, streak-stomping upset in Knoxville. But um, wow. More times than not, it's always a penalty getting in the way of Kentucky turning that corner, which they would have if they had upset Tennessee, but I'm not so sure Tennessee will be this lucky in the near future. They should be even better next year.

So is Kentucky bound to get invited for bowl play? Their 7-5 overall record in the SEC is ranked 7th (tied with SC). Their 4-4 conference record is ranked 6th in the SEC (tied with Georgia who they beat by 4 this season) which also is good for 3rd place in the SEC East division. Kentucky is good to score. Their 163 PF total in conference play is 6th best and their 319 total points scored is good for 5th best in the SEC, however, their defense gives up alot of points - 207 PA is second worst and their 349 PA overall is the worst in the conference.

Only three teams in the SEC have overall losing records: Vandy, Ole Miss, and Miss St. Who knows if or when the Wildcats get that bowl bid, but I do know the way they're playing right now Kentucky can be a problem for anyone in the SEC.

⊗ Got Bowl Madness? Kentucky's only been to 10 bowl games with a 5-5 record. Their biggest bowl game being the 1951 Sugar bowl beating Oklahoma 13-7 and ending the Sooners' 31 game winning streak.