Coming into the 2018 college football season, Kentucky was projected to finish sixth in the South Eastern Conference (SEC) East division by Bleacher Report.

Also, in ESPN’s projections, Kentucky was projected to come in 5th place by ESPN with a 6-6 record. Fast forward to week 12 in the college football season, and the Wildcats are ranked in the top 20 in the nation at 8-3 after their win over Middle Tennessee State.

In their win on Senior Day, it was Kentucky’s defense late in the game that prevailed their win over MTSU, 34-23. They made up for a lackluster start on that side of the ball, as they gave up more than 20 points for the third straight week. But on Senior Day, it was the veterans that stepped up when they needed to in their last home game. Senior safety Mike Edwards forced two turnovers that translated into two scores for the Wildcats. And when the game was on the line, linebacker Josh Allen stumped any hopes of a MTSU comeback with a timely fourth-quarter sack. Allen’s crucial sack also broke a program sack record.

The offense was led by junior running back Benny Snell Jr., who racked up 126 yards on the ground and punched it in the end zone twice.

Kentucky’s win over MTSU snapped a two-game losing streak. Now, sitting in second place in the SEC East, Kentucky has put together a better season than these schools: Florida (8-3) – a team that Kentucky handled earlier this season, 27-16 – Texas A&M (7-4), Auburn (7-4), and Mississippi State (7-4), just to name a few a SEC schools.

The Wildcats also have the chance to capture their most wins since 1984 if they can take care of business against the 2-9 Louisville Cardinals to close out the season.