Auburn football: Potent rushing attack and strong O-line should make Kentucky a tough out

It’s the third straight slide I’m mentioning Bowden Jr. but that just shows how electric he was for the Wildcats last year. Not only was he Kentucky’s leading rusher and second-leading passer, Bowden was also the team’s leading receiver.

However, while he was the team’s leading receiver, the bar was pretty low considering the team was dead last in the SEC in passing offense and attempted less than 20 passes a game. Because of that, Bowden’s  348 receiving yards were enough to lead the team.

While the return of Wilson or the possible eligibility of Gatewood will likely lead to more passing attempts, Stoops knows that passing is not their game.

The team’s also lost second-leading receiver Ahmad Wagner which leaves the Wildcats with a group of untested options at wide receiver.

Senior Josh Ali is the team’s leading returning receiver and he put up 233 yards and a team-high three touchdowns last season. As the possible No. 1 guy, look for those stats to improve in 2020.

Other than Ali, RS junior Clevan Thomas Jr. should give the Wildcats another veteran receiver but the 5-foot-11 wideout had less than 100 receiving yards last season. So, while Kentucky’s passing attack will likely improve in 2020, I wouldn’t expect anything too crazy from this position group.

Kentucky has a pair of tight ends returning in 2020 and while they both didn’t post eye-popping stats last year, they are both reliable pass-catchers. RS junior Justin Rigg had 11 catches for 128 yards last year and possesses great size at 6-foot-6 and 263 pounds. Keaton Upshaw posted 78 yards and a TD last season as a redshirt freshman and is another 6-foot-6 option for the Wildcats in the passing game.