Ever since the Governor’s Cup became the bookend for Kentucky football seasons, the Wildcats have kicked things off with an opponent from the Group of Five level. Not all G5 teams are made the same, but it’s clearly a different level of competition.
When facing an inferior foe, it’s difficult to discern if what we’re seeing is an outlier or the norm. There are lessons we can learn from Saturday’s season opener against Toledo that can tell us a lot about the 2025 Kentucky football team.
Can the Kentucky Wide Receivers get open?
The rebuilt offensive line is at the top of everyone’s mind, but in this blogger’s opinion, there are more questions surrounding Kentucky’s pass-catchers. There are reasons to believe the Big Blue Wall will be better. The wide receivers haven’t received a vote of confidence from anyone.
In the first week of the season, Bush Hamdan is asking his pass-catchers to prove it. They’ll have to do so against a veteran group of Toledo defensive backs. They may not have some of the size that they’ll see in the SEC, but these are quality players who will provide a litmus test for what we can expect. Who will step up for Zach Calzada? It’s anyone’s guess.
Can the Cats Stop the Run?
The Kentucky run defense let go of the rope in 2024. It was something we had not seen from a Mark Stoops football team in years.
We all know who will be taking a majority of the carries for the Rockets this fall. Chip Trayanum is getting a shot at vengeance, giving the Wildcats a formidable foe to take to the turf. However, he’s playing for an offense that couldn’t run worth a lick a year ago. Toledo ranked No. 127 in rushing success rate.
Daveren Rayner and Alex Afari have experience playing inside linebacker, but they’re light in the shorts. Questions about the Kentucky run defense will not be answered right away if they stuff Toledo, but if Chip runs wild, it could be a long season for Brad White’s unit.
Can Kentucky Run The Damn Ball?
For this offense to succeed, the Wildcats must be able to run the football effectively. That comes in various forms. Seth McGowan needs to be able to shed a tackler and turn a 4-yard gain into 14 yards. Dante Dowdell must be able to move the sticks on third and short. It’s a non-negotiable.
Kentucky will have a decisive size advantage in the trenches. If they’re going to impose their will against SEC foes, they must do it against Toledo, even if the defense is selling out to stop the run.