Early 2015 schedule outlook: Kentucky

Kentucky got a head start in looking ahead to 2015 after failing to close 2014 with a bowl berth. But despite finishing the year with a losing record, the Wildcats took a massive step forward this season by improving to 5-7 and snapping a 16-game SEC losing streak. They’ll be expected to continue their growth next season.

However, UK’s 2015 schedule features plenty of difficult tests, including a Thursday night game against Auburn, road dates with Mississippi State and Georgia, and the Cats annual showdown with in-state rival Louisville.

How difficult does Kentucky’s 2015 schedule appear as we wind down the 2014 season? Let’s take a look.

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN

Home games (8): UL Lafayette (9/5), Florida (9/19), Missouri (9/26), Eastern Kentucky (10/3), Auburn (10/15), Tennessee (10/31), Charlotte (11/21), Louisville (11/28)

Road games (4): South Carolina (9/12), Mississippi State (10/24), Georgia (11/7), Vanderbilt (11/14).

Neutral site: N/A

Open date: 10/10

Longest home stretch: 4 games (Florida, Missouri, Eastern Kentucky, Auburn).

Longest road stretch: 2 games (Georgia, Vanderbilt).

OPPONENT BREAKDOWN

2014 ranked teams (final regular season): No. 16 Missouri, No. 19 Auburn, No. 7 Mississippi State, No. 13 Georgia, No. 21 Louisville.

2015 ranked teams (early projections): No. 10 Missouri, No. 12 Auburn, No. 14 Mississippi State, No. 6 Georgia, No. 15 Tennessee, No. 20 Louisville.

Potential trap games: Louisiana Lafayette, a tricky season-opener against an opponent familiar with SEC competition; At Vanderbilt, one week removed from a difficult road test against the Georgia Bulldogs between the hedges.

Toughest SEC games: Florida (who hasn’t lost to UK since 1986), Auburn (on a Thursday night), at Mississippi State, at Georgia.

FULL SCHEDULE