Kentucky football preview 2024: Biggest games, crucial players, predictions and more

Kentucky has a good thing going with Mark Stoops. The Wildcats have reached a bowl for the last eight seasons and will look to continue that run in 2024.

Mark Stoops's team looks typically talented on defense, if a bit thin on offense. Here's a deep dive on the 2024 Wildcats:

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Biggest games for Kentucky in 2024

Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston will likely be an important part of UK's 2024 defense. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

The SEC schedule is certainly challenging for Kentucky. The annual game with Georgia doesn't even make our list of the biggest games because UGA has won the last 14 matchups in the series. The annual battle with Louisville, similarly, is excluded becuase Kentucky has won the last five.

While week two with South Carolina is pivotal, a three game run in mid-season looks key for Kentucky. On Oct. 19, the Wildcats play at Florida. Kentucky has won three in a row over UF and needs to continue that momentum. Up next is a home game with Auburn on Oct. 26. Auburn has owned that matchup traditionally but looks a bit weak still in 2024.

Finally, Kentucky plays at Tennesse on Nov. 2. Kentucky is 2-5 in its last seven games between the schools, which is a large improvement over tradition. Kentucky lost every year to Tennessee between 1984 and 2011, so a win over the Vols in Knoxville would be significant to those who remember UT's glory days.

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Most Important Kentucky Players in 2024

#1 Barion Brown, WR

Brown is a rail-thin six-foot-one receiver who has incredible speed but has struggled with the finer points of playing the position. Last year, he had 43 catches for 539 yards. He also averaged 36 yards per kick return and returned three kicks for touchdowns.

If new offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan can tighten up Brown's route running and get more consistency from him, he could absolutely explode in 2024. QB Brock Vandagriff would benefit from that.

#2 Deone Walker, DT

Walker, a six-foot-six, 348 pound mountain of a man is a standout SEC lane clogger. The tackle had 55 stops and 12.5 tackles for loss in 2023. Even SEC offensive lines have trouble neutralizing the size, power and relatively speed of Walker.

For his part, Walker could play his way into first round NFL draft pick status. His motor runs high, and he's a solid technical player with terriffic strength. He will star at Kentucky in 2024.

#3 Maxwell Hairston, CB

In 2023, UK's secondary had something of a down year, allowing 240 passing yards per game. Nobody told Hairston, who was outstanding in his first season as a stater. He was third on the team with 67 tackles and picked off five passes.

At six-foot-one, he's a good sized corner and has learned to be physical with big receivers. Hairston gives Kentucky a lockdown corner. He's the type of player everybody likes to add to a defense.

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Predictions for Kentucky's 2024 season

With the exception of the shortened COVID-19 year of 2020, Stoops hasn't yet won less than seven games in a year since 2015.

Kentucky seems likely to win at least six or seven games. On the other side of the ledger, Georgia and Texas (away) looks like losses, and road games at OIe Miss and Tennessee will be steep challenges.

Kentucky would be thrilled with an 8-4 or 9-3 regular season. That would still probably leave them outside of the College Football Playoff but would be another nice season to build on.

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What do you think of Kentucky's team in 2024? Let's hear your thoughts below in the comments section: