Kentucky

Will Stein stepped in and cranked up the transfers, bringing 29 new faces to Lexington after a disappointing 5-7 campaign. It'll be a far different team especially on the lines with OT Lance Heard arriving from Tennessee to anchor what should be a much-improved front. The Wildcats lost quarterback Cutter Boley to Arizona State along with receivers Cameron Miller (Ole Miss) and Hardley Gilmore IV (Baylor), but countered by adding Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey and receivers Xavier Daisy (UAB) and Nic Anderson (LSU). JP+ rates Kentucky 38th nationally at +4.4 points, with the defense grading out significantly better than the offense at +2.6 versus +0.5.

JP+ projects 3.7 wins for the Wildcats in Stein's first season, reflecting the substantial roster turnover and quarterback uncertainty as the new signal-caller emerges from what figures to be a competitive battle. The defense should keep Kentucky in games — it's the strength of this team — but the offense faces significant continuity questions beyond just the quarterback position. If Minchey can quickly establish himself and the new offensive line pieces gel around Heard, Kentucky could surprise in the brutal SEC. If not, it's going to be a long rebuilding year in the nation's toughest conference.