Kentucky fans were giddy after a 5-1 start last season, especially considering the one loss came in overtime at Florida. Flip one crucial play in Gainesville and the Wildcats would’ve ended what is now a 28-game losing streak to the Gators.

What’s more, UK would’ve been undefeated at the mid-point of the season making the team bowl eligible.

Instead, the ‘Cats sputtered through the second half of the season, losing six straight to finish 5-7 while failing to make a bowl game in coach Mark Stoops’ second year at the helm.

The over/under for Kentucky wins in 2015 is 5.5, according to Bovada Sports Book. What games must the Cats win to get to six and become bowl eligible?

Analyzing Kentucky’s 2015 schedule, here’s a closer look:

FAVORABLE MATCHUPS

Although UK faces the No. 3-ranked toughest non-conference schedule in the conference, it’s still a slate that should be more than favorable for the Cats.

Kentucky has eight home games this season and will need to take advantage of the friendly confines of a freshly-revamped Commonwealth Stadium to secure the bulk of its wins.

Here’s four games we feel comfortable charting in the win column now. These are not only favorable matchups, but are must-wins if the Cats want to go bowling in 2015.

  • vs. UL Lafayette, Sept. 5
  • vs. Eastern Kentucky, Oct. 3
  • at Vanderbilt, Nov. 14
  • vs. Charlotte, Nov. 21

BIGGEST GAMES

If the Cats split these four games (or better), they likely are headed to a bowl game at the end of the season.

  • vs. Florida, Sept. 19
  • vs. Missouri, Sept. 26
  • at Mississippi State, Oct. 24
  • vs. Louisville, Nov. 28

ROUGH PATCH

Starting on a Thursday night in mid-October and ending the first week of November, the Cats play four consecutive SEC contests and could very well be the underdog in all four.

  • vs. Auburn, Oct. 15
  • at Mississippi State, Oct. 24
  • vs. Tennessee, Oct. 31
  • at Georgia, Nov. 7

TOUGHEST TILT

This is a tough call, with matchups against top-10 teams sandwiching the previously-outlined “rough patch.” The Cats play preseason No. 7 Auburn, but the game will take place at Commonwealth Stadium following a bye week.

The toughest game of the season likely will come three weeks later when the Cats travel to face No. 9 Georgia between the hedges. Kentucky has beaten Georgia in Athens just once since 1977, and that feat is unlikely to be duplicated in 2015.

SEASON-DEFINING STRETCH

  • Sept. 19 – Oct. 3

Assuming the Cats take a loss at South Carolina in Week 2 and start the season 1-1, the following three-game stretch at Commonwealth Stadium will define the season. After falling painfully short last season in Gainesville, Kentucky is eagerly anticipating another shot at the Gators. The Wildcats follow that game by hosting the Missouri Tigers, which are seeing their way into the bottom of most preseason top-25 polls. The home stretch concludes with a seemingly innocuous game against FCS opponent Eastern Kentucky, but an offseason bar altercation involving members from both squads could lead to an emotional meeting on the field.