SEC Power Rankings, Week 11: Alabama back on top with big win vs LSU

Nov 7, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Patrick Towles (14) looks downfield to pass against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The 2015 Kentucky Wildcats football season is beginning to look dangerously similar to the 2014 campaign. After a strong 4-1 start, Kentucky has now lost four games in a row following a 27-3 loss to Georgia in Athens Saturday. A potential bowl bid that was once a near certainty is now very much in doubt.

The Wildcats are struggling big time offensively, and gained just 180 total yards and picked up only eight first downs against the Bulldogs. Quarterback Patrick Towles completed only eight of 21 pass attempts for 96 yards and was intercepted twice.

Statistically, Towles has gotten worse and worse over the course of the four-loss stretch with his passing yardage total and completion percentage dropping in each subsequent game – not unlike the way he stumbled down the stretch in Kentucky’s six-game season ending losing streak last season. Towles has just one TD pass and has thrown six interceptions over that period as well.

Towels obviously isn’t the only problem for the Wildcats, and the Kentucky defense was far from perfect Saturday in allowing 300 rushing yards on 52 carries (a 5.8-yard average) against the Bulldogs. But because UK needs a spark – and still needs two victories with only three regular season games left to play – it would not be a shock for redshirt freshman Drew Barker to see more playing time next week – or even if Barker gets his first career start in a must-win game next week against Vanderbilt in Nashville.

Next Game: Saturday November 15 at Vanderbilt

Next: Texas A&M