Week 5 SEC Power Rankings

Sep 13, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops points during the second half against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 36-30. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

13. Kentucky Wildcats (2-1, 0-1 SEC)

Last Week’s Result: Idle

It is hard to tell what we learned about the Kentucky Wildcats – if anything – while watching the Florida-Alabama game. After Kentucky fell to the Gators 36-30 in triple overtime seven days earlier, Florida gave the Crimson Tide a game early, but the box score was as lopsided as they come. What looked like an impressive offensive performance for UK lost some luster after the Crimson Tide rolled up 625 yards.

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Of course, we know the Wildcats are a much better team this year than they were in 2013. The hard work Mark Stoops and his coaching staff has done in recruiting has raised the talent level on the roster, but they have also done a great job developing players that were part of Joker Phillips’ regime.

The star so far is quarterback Patrick Towles – a Phillips recruit – who has completed 61 of his 105 passing attempts for 916 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions so far in 2014. Towles has distributed the ball well and 13 Wildcats have recorded receptions through the first three games of the season. Five of those players are averaging greater than 18 yards per catch, which is a major improvement in the playmaking department.

Next Week: vs. Vanderbilt