Kentucky Forecasted to Face TCU in Action Network's Early 2023 Bowl Projections

Brett McMurphy is pegging the Wildcats to throw down with TCU in the Liberty Bowl.

There's just something about projecting one team to face another team that really riles up a fanbase. 

With spring practices in the rearview, it's time to set sights on the 2023 college football season. In doing that, the Action Network's Brett McMurphy has decided to disrupt the social media discourse for the day by releasing his "Never-Too-Early 2023 Bowl Projections."

Kentucky has made the 82-team cut, along with 11 other SEC teams (sorry Vanderbilt and...*checks notes*...Florida?). 

The opponent for the Wildcats? The 2022 national runner-up Horned Frogs of TCU. The venue? Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. for the Liberty Bowl. 

The Cats and head coach Mark Stoops won't be setting their sights on what's considered one of the middling-lower bowl games with SEC affiliation, but the opponent would be refreshing, especially after squaring off against Iowa for the last two postseasons. 

McMurphy has Kentucky as a touchdown favorite over the Frogs. Coach Sonny Dykes exceeded any and all expectations in his first season as skipper in Fort Worth alongside star quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist Max Duggan, who has since been drafted to the NFL by the Los Angeles Chargers. 

TCU will open the 2023 season against Colorado, welcoming new coach Deion Sanders to Texas for his first game with the Buffaloes — who didn't make the cut in McMurphy's projections. 

The two teams have played only once, back in the 1951 season when UK won 20-7 in the Cotton Bowl. Kentucky has played in the Liberty Bowl just once, when it defeated East Carolina 25-19 to finish the 2008 season. That was the third and final bowl game win for then-head coach Rich Brooks. 

Other SEC bowl game projections: 

• National Championship: Georgia (-1.5) (defeating Washington in Sugar Bowl) vs. Michigan
• Peach Bowl: LSU (-3) vs. Penn State
• Cotton Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Alabama (-4)
• Citrus Bowl: Tennessee vs. Wisconsin (-8)
• ReliaQuest Bowl: Notre Dame (-1) vs. Texas A&M
• Music City Bowl: Arkansas (-1.5) vs. Illinois
• Gator Bowl: Auburn (PK) vs. Louisville
• Mayo Bowl: Ole Miss (-20) vs. Pittsburgh
• Texas Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Oklahoma (-6)
• Birmingham Bowl: UCF vs. Missouri (-8.5)
• Gasparilla Bowl: South Carolina (-1) vs. Kansas

Football is coming...

Observations from Kentucky's final open spring practice HERE.

Safety Zion Childress is emerging as a leader on the UK defense

Kentucky landed a 4-star defensive lineman on National Signing Day. More HERE.

WATCH: Kentucky football's transfer portal signees speak to the media

Devin Leary discusses his decision to transfer to Kentucky HERE.

Ray Davis isn't following former Kentucky RB's footsteps. More HERE.

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.

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