Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low
If you're into looking at the bottom line, it's hard to be disappointed with Kentucky's season.
The Wildcats are back in a bowl game for the third straight year, the first time's that's happened in nearly 60 years. Bear Bryant took Kentucky to three straight bowls from 1949-51.
But the Wildcats (6-6, 2-6 SEC) limp into their Jan. 2 Liberty Bowl date with East Carolina both figuratively and literally.
They've lost six of their last eight games after starting the season 4-0. That includes a three-game losing streak.
Many of their problems the last two months can be traced to a glut of injuries to key players, including receiver Dicky Lyons, Jr., running back Derrick Locke, linebacker Micah Johnson and defensive end Jeremy Jarmon.
The latest injury is to freshman quarterback Randall Cobb, who was hurt in the 28-10 loss to Tennessee and underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said he doesn't anticipate Cobb being able to play in the bowl game, which means sophomore Mike Hartline will get another shot to lead the team after being benched in favor of Cobb.
The Wildcats played some of their best defense under Brooks the first half of the season, but tailed off as the injuries began to mount. They should be healthier for the bowl game.
Offensive MVP
Cobb was one of the most exciting freshmen in the SEC and gave the Kentucky offense a boost no matter where he lined up. He split his time between quarterback and receiver during the first part of the season before taking over the quarterback duties full time. He ran for seven touchdowns, threw for two touchdowns and also had two touchdown catches.
Defensive MVP
No longer is junior cornerback Trevard Lindley one of the most underrated players in the league. He's one of the best players in the league, and everybody knows it. A lock-down cornerback, the 6-foot Lindley tied for the team lead with four interceptions and tied for the SEC lead with 11 passes broken up.
Turning point: Coming off a hard-fought loss to Alabama, Kentucky returned home for two games against South Carolina and Arkansas and led the Gamecocks heading into the fourth quarter. But the Wildcats couldn't hold onto the lead and lost 24-17 on Oct. 11. They only won twice more the rest of the season.
What's next: Not only do the Wildcats get a chance to play in their third straight bowl game, but they get a chance to win their third straight bowl game when they face East Carolina on Jan. 2 in the Liberty Bowl. That would give them 23 wins over the last three years, the most in a three-year span at Kentucky since 1976-78.
Chris Low joined ESPN.com in 2007 after 10 years with The (Nashville) Tennessean covering the University of Tennessee and SEC. The Rock Hill, S.C., native lives with his wife in Knoxville and has three sons.
