Kirk Herbstreit thinks Kentucky could be a factor in the 2023 SEC race thanks to 2 key additions. During Saturday’s “College GameDay,” Herbstreit named the Wildcats as his SEC dark horse team this season.

Herbstreit likes the Kentucky offense to improve with the return of Liam Coen and the addition of former NC State QB Devin Leary out of the transfer portal.

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“They’ve got Devin Leary coming over from North Carolina State,” Herbstreit said. “You lose Will Levis, but you have a talented, experienced quarterback. New offensive coordinator Liam Coen.

“… Mark Stoops has a team every year that’s going to be physical, they’re going to bring a chip on their shoulder. … Will Levis, as much hype – they didn’t have a great year offensively (last season). I think this year they can be better with Coen there, with Leary coming in. Look out for old UK.”

Herbstreit isn’t alone on the Leary hype train. Dusty Dvoracek, Herbstreit’s ESPN colleague, picked Leary as the transfer to have the biggest impact this season. Leary is on the preseason watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

Coen is back with the Wildcats after a season as the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator. He was previously Kentucky’s OC for the 2021 season in which UK won 10 games.

Stoops’ troops open the season on Sept. 2 against Ball State. The game is set for noon, airing on the SEC Network.