Kentucky Up Against Familiar FCS Team

The Kentucky Wildcats are a win away from qualifying for a bowl game. All of their wins so far have been against FBS opponents, so a win over the upcoming FCS opponent would get the job done.

The upcoming opponent should look familiar to SEC fans; it’s the UT Martin Skyhawks. If this team sounds familiar, it’s because the Florida Gators shut out the Skyhawks in week two of the regular season. It may look like an easy win for Kentucky, but UT Martin isn’t the same pushover that it was a year ago.

After a dreadful 2-9 (2-6 OVC) 2018 season, the Skyhawks turned their team around. They enter the matchup against Kentucky with a 7-4 record.

Regardless, Kentucky is getting its fans ready for the game on Twitter:

#BringIt back to Kroger Field

Youth Sports & Activities Day tkts starting at $10 🎟🔗 https://t.co/gADnszPA7r pic.twitter.com/Vw0aDONfXW

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) November 18, 2019

How Do These Teams Stack Up Against Each Other?

Normally when an SEC team is up against an FCS opponent, it seems like a sure win. Based on the numbers, however, Kentucky might have to get creative. The Wildcats are currently ranked 107th in all of FBS in points-per-game (22.1). UT Martin is ranked 31st in all of FCS in opponents points-per-game (22.60).

Kentucky should still be able to combat the Skyhawks on defense as well. They are 22nd in all of the FBS in opponents points-per-game (20.10). UT Martin is ranked only 63rd in all of FCS, but they average 27.3 points-per-game. Keep in mind that an SEC team is being compared to an FCS team, but, again, UT Martin didn’t accomplish these numbers magically.

Florida did shut them out, but Florida also shut out no. 20 Towson and Vanderbilt. Kentucky defeated Vandy as well, and, for the most part, have defeated teams they were supposed to beat. The only exception was the loss to Tennessee, but they made up for it with a win over Mizzou.

The ESPN Football Power Index gives Kentucky 96.6 percent chance to win against UT Martin. However, if they underestimate the team they play, they could become the fourth FBS to lose to an FCS team this season.