Kroger Field --Lexington, Ky
First up for CMU is Southeastern Conference foe Kentucky, who overcame a poor second half of the season to face Northwestern In the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. The No. 21 Wildcats edged UK 24-23 to close their season.
➤➤ Kentucky hopes to get back to winning ways and continue an upward trend under Mark Stoops. His first UK team went 2-10, but the Wildcats have slowly been improving and went 7-6 in each of the past two seasons.
➤➤ QB Stephen Johnson has departed. Terry Wilson, a transfer from Oregon, and sophomore Gunnar Hoak, entered fall came as candidates for the quarterback gig. The former should have the edge.
➤➤ There’s some rebuilding to do among the receiving corps. Senior Dorian Baker shined a couple years ago with 55 catches for 608 yards and three scores. He could be a major target in his senior season.
➤➤ Junior Benny Snell Jr. had a big year in 2017, rushing for 1,333 yards and 19 TDs.
➤➤ The Wildcats offensive line should is experienced and should be strong up the middle.
➤➤ Senior safeties Mike Edwards and Darius West lead a secondary that hopes to improve on its 2017 performance. Overall, four starters are back for that unit.
➤➤ Josh Allen and Jordan Jones are keys at linebacker, while Stoops is looking for some improvement along the D-line.
➤➤ UK is replacing its punter and place-kicker.
(Click here for Central Michigan season preview)