Without question, 2020 might deserve a mulligan. COVID issues, players coming, players going, games scheduled, then rescheduled, then canceled. It was chaos. The Wildcats posted a 4-6 record in the chaos, and while Big Blue Nation will be glad to forgive and forget any shortcomings of the season, there are some takeaways the ‘Cats would be wise to address before next fall.

Here are 5 areas that Kentucky has to improve in 2021.

1. Passing

Very badly kept secret here, but it already cost OC Eddie Gran and QB coach Darin Hinshaw their jobs. Kentucky passed for 114 yards per game in 2019, and that came with WR Lynn Bowden starting the last 8 games of the season. In 2020, the Wildcats passed for 124 yards per game. Some of the issues were poor QB play, some were a receiving corps that struggled greatly to get open or catch passes, some were an offensive staff that wanted to run first, run second and run third. But there is literally no reason the Wildcats can’t pass for 200 yards per game. More important, if Joey Gatewood or whoever wins the job can’t reach that level, it’s going to be hard to get wide receiver recruits to come and play as glorified wide-split tackles.

2, Red-zone efficiency

Kentucky had been excellent in the red zone, and bullish running back Chris Rodriguez should be able to help fill the Benny Snell role in punching in touchdowns. The problem was that it didn’t happen in 2020. In 29 red-zone possessions, the ‘Cats managed just 16 touchdowns. For comparison’s sake, even without Snell in 2019, the Wildcats cashed in on 27 of 40 red-zone possessions. The difference of 68% touchdown efficiency to 55% may well have cost the ‘Cats a win or two in 2020.

3. Special teams issues

Kentucky was generally off-kilter in 2020 on special teams. They lost 1 game on a missed extra point, had an embarrassing punt coverage mishap against Florida, got almost nothing positive in the return game, and generally just looked off-balance. The Wildcats had no special teams coordinator this season, after Dean Hood had previously held the role. The Wildcats have not reached a point where they can simply ignore special teams — if anybody ever does. An innovative touch there would be highly beneficial next season.

4. Fixing the pass rush

In the past 3 seasons before 2020, Kentucky totaled 30, 38, and 33 quarterback sacks. In 2020, the Wildcats managed just 12 sacks, currently 13th in the conference. The defense needs to put teams in awkward situations. Kentucky may never have the muscle up front to just butt heads with the Floridas and Georgias on 2nd-and-short, but if UK can get opposing passers off schedule, the defense’s effectiveness soars. Kentucky gave up 26.4 points per game in 2020, and if they want to get back down to 16.8 or 19.3 (2018 and 2019 numbers), an improved pass rush is a must.

5. Getting touches for playmakers

Kentucky’s offensive struggles often involved failing to find the team’s playmakers. This could become a vicious cycle. If you don’t involve your playmakers, it’s hard to recruit another group of playmakers.

In particular, a couple of Wildcats who simply needed to see the ball more in 2020 were running back Kavosiey Smoke (38 rushes for 184 yards) and tight end Keaton Upshaw (14 catches for 173 yards).

The Wildcats certainly have work to do on the recruiting trail, but the current cupboard is hardly bare. A more imaginative offense will need to employ the big-play threats on hand.