Expectations are varying this fall for UK, as Rich Brooks enters his seventh season as optimistic as ever that the Cats are close to turning the corner in the rugged SEC East. Brooks called this his best recruiting class yet, and the Cats are one of only three BCS schools who have won three straight bowl games. Behind Florida and Georgia, expectations are mixed in the East. A few so-called wiseguys have the Cats going as low as last, which is where they finished last year (at 2-6, and winless in the division). The Bookie is calling for a much more solid job. First, the negatives: UK's defense loses six starters from a unit that yielded just 23 ppg last season, including DE Jeremy Jarmon, who failed a routine drug test after spring practice. The offense often was overwhelmed, scoring just 14 ppg in the last five SEC games to finish 106th in total offense.

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That offense returns nine starters, however, and both units were rocked by injuries last fall. UK lost 38 starts, ranking in the nation's top 20. QB Mike Hartline has impressed those around the UK camp with his improved accuracy in the offseason, allowing replacement Randall Cobb to move back to his natural WR position. Will Fidler is the capable backup at QB if Hartline continues to disappoint. For the first time in Brooks's tenure, UK has SEC-type defenders in the first two units, so capable backups are in place if injuries set in again. Many got experience last season, and with top-flight SEC players at LB (Micah Johnson) and corner (Trevard Lindley), the Cats have noticeably upgraded their athleticism and depth in the secondary.

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