A while ago, we ran through some reasons why Kentucky will or won’t make a bowl game in 2015. While there were more reasons favoring a post-season appearance for the Wildcats, there was one reason why they wouldn’t that is worth more discussion, especially when it comes to a season opener — mindset.

Kentucky needs to believe in itself first before expecting recognition from anyone else. In the last few years, the Wildcats have performed in a way that made it difficult to believe in them, to believe that they were capable of playing at an appropriate level to compete with the SEC’s best. The mindset of being the “doormat” of the division has become the first obstacle in Kentucky’s way toward winning.

The work of clearing that obstacle started this offseason. After several discouraging scrimmages, coach Mark Stoops rallied the team together with a momentum-changing night practice. Players left the field that night feeling inspired, confident, and proud to be a Wildcat. But those warm feelings will vanish immediately if Kentucky doesn’t start 2015 off with the right tone. And if Stoops wants to go to a bowl game, he cannot under any circumstances let that happen.

So how does a team start the season with the right tone? With a win, of course. But how does an SEC team start the season with the right tone? With a huge, resounding, shameless win. To illustrate, here are some scores from when the SEC faced the Sun Belt conference last September:

  • Mississippi vs. Louisiana Lafayette: 56-15
  • Georgia vs. Troy State: 66-0
  • LSU vs. New Mexico State: 63-7

To compare, here are the results from the last three times Kentucky played Sun Belt teams (most recent listed first):

  • Kentucky vs. Louisiana Monroe: 48-14
  • Kentucky vs. Western Kentucky: 26-35
  • Kentucky vs. Western Kentucky: 31-32 OT

Your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. Kentucky lost two out of three.

The Wildcats open their 2015 season against the Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns, a Sun Belt team who finished second in their conference last year and has had four straight nine-win seasons under head coach Mark Hudspeth, who has been a revelation.

The Cajuns aren’t in as good of a place as they were last year, having to replace a senior quarterback and seven defensive starters. They also don’t have a promising school record against SEC teams, having never won against one. But despite all that, according to SB Nation, the Cajuns’ non-conference schedule “lightens up, with Kentucky replacing Ole Miss.”

Lightens up? No. If the Wildcats are out to prove their relevance this season, they need to take offense to that. They need to prove to themselves that they can run out onto the field just like every other SEC team on Sept. 5 and put on an offensive show. They need to play against the Cajuns like Alabama would, like Auburn, Georgia, and LSU.

With all the development of the offense and the defense this offseason, Kentucky is capable. Now it’s just a matter of doing.

Kentucky DT Matt Elam is already thinking in the right direction. On Sunday, he tweeted:

It’s the little things, like running up the score on a season opener, that go a long way toward changing mindset and changing it for good.

LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE RAGIN’ CAJUNS CLOSER LOOK

Top returning player, offense: Elijah McGuire, Jr., RB – Last year, McGuire both caught and carried the football, doing whatever was asked of him and doing it well. He had 1,264 rushing yards, 468 receiving yards, 16 total touchdowns, and earned Sun Belt Player of the Year.

Top returning player, defense: Dominique Tovell, Sr., LB – Tovell was the Cajuns’ leading tackler last year, totaling 54.5. In addition, he led the team in tackles for a loss (9), and ranked second in sacks (2.5).

Top returning player, special teams: Montrel Carter, Sr., KR – Out of UL-Lafayette’s entire special teams squad, only the returners are returners. Last season, Carter returned the most kickoffs (25) and averaged 20.6 yards.