Darrell Bird is the editor of CatsPause.Com , and does an incredible job covering Kentucky Wildcats athletics. He’s been a longtime contributor to the BI when the Bulldogs and Wildcats square off. We always appreciate his insight.

What are the expectations for the Wildcats this season?

Mark Stoops believes this is his best roster in 12 years in terms of quality depth. For so many years, Kentucky might have starting lineups that can compete with anyone, but once injuries come into play, as they always do in the SEC, there was a drop off. The transfer portal has helped Kentucky in that regard.

Can you talk about the Georgia transfers and their impact on the program?

You can’t overstate the importance of QB Brock Vandagriff and linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson. Kentucky will go only as far as Vandagriff can take them and it’s the story line of the season. Was Vandagriff a 9.9 and lost the job to a 10.0 Carson Beck, meaning he next got his chance? Or did he lose the job by a wide margin? Can Pop return to his All-American form? If so, an already great UK defense could be superb. No doubt both are eager for their shots.

Mark Stoops has done a tremendous job in Lexington, can you talk about what he has meant to the program?

He is the winningest coach in the history of the program and the longest-tenured coach in the SEC with the retirement of Nick Saban. Both are pretty remarkable feats given that Kentucky was Stoops’ first head coaching job. The problem is the SEC is smash mouth football and there is no way around it in the end. Stoops is a smash mouth coach and won’t be bullied by any traditional power. UK needs that attitude.

‌How have the Big Blue faithful embraced their national championship alum Mark Pope as the Wildcats new basketball coach?

When Mark Pope was introduced as Kentucky’s new coach on April 14, it set into motion one of the most surreal days in UK basketball history. More than 20,000 UK fans poured into Lexington from across the state, giving up a glorious Masters Sunday afternoon to sit inside for two hours. More than 5,000 were turned away for what was nothing more than an introductory press conference. The truth is that half were there to welcome Pope, the rest were there as a statement that UK basketball belonged to the fans and they were taking it back from John Calipari, who focused more on NBA riches for his players than championships for the program. Message delivered loud and clear.

What is your take on Georgia?

The program for which all others are now measured, and it’s been that way for a few years since they wrestled the mantle away from Alabama. Consider it from UK’s perspective where the Dawgs could lose Vandagriff and Dumas-Johnson and not even blink.

What does Kentucky need to do to win?

The two Georgia kids need to play the games of their lives and then leave the stadium to sign movie-of-the-week deals over what just happened because that would be a Hollywood story for sure. Beyond that, UK must find a way to withstand the onslaught. Every year they start out OK, but the game eventually gets away from the Wildcats in a big way. Gotta stem that tide and have a fighter’s chance in the fourth quarter.

What would a win over Georgia mean to the Wildcats?

Beyond being one of the biggest wins in school history, it would serve to put Kentucky in the new CFP 12-team playoff conversation. In fact, a spot would be theirs to lose should they stun Georgia and that new tournament has given Kentucky new life as it’s not so outrageous to think UK couldn’t be among the top 11 at year’s end.