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

No, Lynn Bowden didn’t also play offensive line last year. You don’t have to worry about that. But while players like Bowden, Rose and Smoke all deserve credit for their production last year, it wouldn’t have been possible if Kentucky didn’t have one of the best offensive lines in the SEC.

When it comes to the UK offensive line, there’s good news and there’s bad news if you’re an Auburn fan. The good news is the Wildcats lost All-SEC guard Logan Stenberg to the NFL. The bad news is the Wildcats return four other starts on the O-line — all of whom have All-SEC potential for 2020.

Senior Drake Jackson was a First-Team All-SEC selection last year and is arguably the best center in the entire country, junior RT Darian Kinnard is on Athlon Sports’ preseason All-SEC first team while LT Landon Young and RG Luke Fortner are on the second team and third team respectively.

Three of Kentucky’s five starters on the O-line are redshirt seniors which makes this one of the more experienced and talented offensive lines in the country. Against an Auburn team that has to replace a lot of talent on the defensive line from last season, that could yield less than desirable results.

The unit ranked third in the SEC in fewest sacks allowed last season and first in tackles for loss allowed and should once again be at or near the top of the conference.