North Carolina State won eight games this season, has the nation’s 36th best passing yardage and ranks ninth nationally — tied with Alabama — in quarterback sacks. Yet when Kentucky plays N.C. State January 2 in the Taxslayer Gator Bowl, the Wildcats will open as a 3-point favorite even though they won only four games.
North Carolina State has lost to Virginia Tech, Miami and North Carolina, all ranked teams when they beat the Wolfpack. However, four of UK’s losses — Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Auburn — came to teams ranked in the top 10 when UK played them.
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said his team was excited to be playing in Jacksonville again and athletics director Mitch Barnhart said not to worry about UK not getting a bid to Jacksonville last year when the Cats ended up beating Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl.
“I try to look forward and not backwards,” Barnhart said. “We wanted the opportunity to get to Jacksonville (last year) and it did not work out. Our team went to Charlotte and that opportunity worked out incredibly well for us.
“We are excited about this year. This will be our fifth straight bowl and that’s only the second time that has occurred. We take opportunities that come and try to make the most of them.”
Barnhart said UK’s first two bowl trips under Mark Stoops — both losses — were learning experiences. The Cats have won their last two bowl games and learned to understand the bowl process.
“No sense looking back,” Barnhart said.
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The Gator Bowl will kick off at noon at the TIAA Bank Stadium in Jacksonville on January 2 and be telecast by ESPN.
