The Cats are looking for respect. A so-called basketball school, the football team is creating serious energy and has that talent to make a statement. A $120 million renovation is underway at Kentucky Commonwealth Stadium, and an addition $45 million will be used to build a football complex.

In two years on the job, Mark Stoops has landed consecutive top 30 recruiting classes the top two football classes in Kentucky history. Now it is time to say UK is on the rise with that talent.

Big Blue returns eight starters on both sides of the ball. The skill-position talent is headed up by sophomore wideouts Javess Blue and Ryan Timmons, and sophomore running back JoJo Kemp.

Kentucky has serious playmakers on defense. DEs ZaDarius Smith (6-6, 263) and Alvin Dupree (6-4, 264) give the Wildcats a pair of studs on the outside that could suit up for any team in the country. The pair combined for 13.0 sacks a year ago.

Unlike most of the Southeastern Conference, the Cats have plenty to prove against mid-majors. They showed that to UT Martin beating them 59-14. The schedule maker is unkind to Ohio. This game is in the middle of three straight road games. Last week they picked up a big win in a close game at Kent. Next week they play at Marshall, a team that is now on C-USA but developed a rivalry when both were in the MAC.

Yes Kentucky is looking ahead to an improved Florida team but a team craving respect will not be caught looking ahead in such a winnable game.