For the first time since 2009, Kentucky is coming off of back-to-back bowl wins. Mark Stoops’ Wildcats went 18-8 over the last two seasons. The Cats’ strong showing over 2018-19 has some analysts wondering if UK can take the next step and contend for an SEC championship in 2020.

Stoops addressed the topic in a recent appearance on Sirius XM’s SEC Radio.

“Why not?” Stoops responded, per Nick Kosko of 247Sports. “We understand it’s a great challenge. We take the approach that we need to handle our business each and every day. We want to play with an attitude and a chip on our shoulder, however, it’s about executing and doing the right things. I’ve taken the approach since I’ve walked in the doors here to try and do the right thing and to work our tails off every day. I said that in the first press conference I was in. we’re going to attack every day…but I can only control that. I feel we’ve done the right things and put the pieces in place to be successful for the time I’ve been here.

“Now I think there’s a lot of schools in this league that have been doing things right for 50, 100 years and we’re also trying to get there. I can promise you that we’re putting the pieces in place and we’re working and we’re taking that mentality since I’ve walked in the door here.”

Kentucky opens the 2020 season at Auburn on Sept. 26. The game is set for a noon ET kickoff on the SEC Network.