Kentucky’s first year without record-setting quarterback Will Levis is turning out quite well.
ESPN’s Greg McElroy sees the No. 22-ranked Wildcats as an SEC East title contender going into Saturday’s game with the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs (5-0). The Wildcats reeled off 5-straight wins to start the season, and that includes a convincing pair over Vanderbilt and then-No. 22 Florida the past 2 weeks.
“They absolutely dismantled Florida in this game,” McElroy said about Kentucky on “Always College Football.” “They had snapped, obviously, a 31-game losing streak back in 2018, but now, they’ve won 4 of the last 6 against the Gators, and this was a tremendous performance.”
McElroy acknowledged Wildcats running back Ray Davis’ emergence as a big reason for the team’s success. A transfer from Vanderbilt, Davis has 594 yards and 8 touchdowns on 76 carries this season, but McElroy anticipates a challenging time for Davis against Georgia.
Part of Davis’ success stems from an improved offensive line, which McElroy also highlighted. This year’s Wildcats offensive line has allowed only 4 sacks this season after 47 sacks surrendered the previous year.
“Kentucky’s Achilles Heel the last year was their offensive line,” McElroy said.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats need to improve at quarterback as McElroy sees it. Devin Leary has 1,129 yards passing for 10 TDs versus 5 interceptions this season.
“But if Kentucky is going to go toe-to-toe with the Georgia Bulldogs next week … Leary, I think, has to be able to get things going a little bit,” McElroy said.
