SDS continues the in-depth look at teams and their biggest subplots heading into 2015 with the Kentucky Wildcats. Previous subplots:

1. Rise of the Air Raid

Kentucky’s offense features some quality players this year, and Kentucky is unapologetic about it. Quarterback Patrick Towles is so confident that he told Paul Finebaum to watch out for the Wildcats in Atlanta. While we don’t quite think that will happen (see subplot No. 2), we do recognize just how talented the Kentucky offensive roster is.

Let’s start with Towles. He found himself in competition for the starting job again this offseason, but won it again because of his excellent performance during preseason camp. Towles knows full well that accuracy and inconsistency were the biggest issues in his play last season, and has focused on remedying that during spring and fall camps. Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson noted a marked improvement on both accounts in the spring, citing that as the primary reason why Towles was ahead of Drew Barker in the position battle.

Now that Towles is confirmed as the starter, he will be free to use his arm strength and improved accuracy to find targets like prominent wide receivers Ryan Timmons, Dorian Baker, and Jeff Badet (pending his health). Towles will also have the distinct pleasure of working with running back Stanley “Boom” Williams, whose accolades we don’t need to reiterate.

2. October Fright Fest

In 2014, the Wildcats hit a wall during Week 8. All seven weeks prior, things were feeling good. Kentucky had won five of six games, including an upset over South Carolina, and could have won all six if it had not lost to Florida in the third overtime. But then Week 8 happened, and Kentucky lost six straight to close out the season.

The 2015 edition of the wall is very apparent on Kentucky’s schedule. On Oct. 15, Kentucky has to face Auburn. The following week, Oct. 24, Kentucky goes to Starkville to take on Mississippi State. On Halloween, Kentucky goes against Tennessee. This sequence of games against these particular opponents would scare any college football team, especially when you add in the Georgia Bulldogs on Nov. 7.

The likelihood of Kentucky finishing the season with six straight losses again is slim this year, even if the Wildcats drop all four of those games. (They face Vanderbilt directly after Georgia, followed by the Charlotte 49ers.) But there’s no doubt about it, October is going to be rough for the Wildcats. Start preparing for it now.

3. The Possibility of Bowl Eligibility

It’s time, Mark Stoops. Kentucky hasn’t been able to go to a bowl game since 2010. It has also suffered through two 2-10 seasons during that same stretch of time. It’s time to leverage the outstanding players that populate the 2015 Wildcats roster and get there.

Considering Kentucky’s upcoming schedule, winning six games should be attainable. All non-conference games should be certain wins, except for the end-of-season matchup against Louisville. Even against the Cardinals, a young team this year, Kentucky has a high chance of winning pending a game with minimal mistakes. Vanderbilt should be another win. At that point, Kentucky just needs to beat one of its unsuspecting division mates to get that sixth win. Let’s discuss that more below.

4. Will Kentucky finally beat Florida?

Florida has won 28 consecutive games against Kentucky. That almost changed last year, but the Gators kept the streak alive by the skin of their teeth. Now the Gators are in rebuilding mode under Jim McElwain, particularly on offense, and the Wildcats have the good fortune of facing them early on in the season.

Florida has vulnerabilities across the offense, which bodes well for the likes of Melvin Lewis, Matt Elam, Jason Hatcher (who will be back on the field for this game), Josh Forrest, and Ryan Flannigan, just to name a few of Kentucky’s defenders. The Wildcats could easily break up the Gators offensive line, and then beleaguer whomever ends up as their quarterback. Once Kentucky has control of Florida’s offense, Towles and company can then get to work wearing down to Florida defense.

If the Wildcats play strong and play smart, they are fully capable of not only notching the crucial win they need for a bowl game, but also finally getting the revenge that’s been 28 seasons in the making.