Brooks: We've become a viable team in the SEC

HOOVER | Rich Brooks, University of Kentucky football coach, opened the final day of the Southeastern Conference Media Days hailing his team's accomplishments from last season.

"We were on the verge of doing some great things," Brooks said, "but we didn’t finish. But we became a viable team in the conference and in the SEC East."

The Wildcats finsihed 8-5 includin a 3-5 conference record on their way to a 35-28 Music City Bowl win against Florida State. Kentucky knocked of eventual national champion LSU in a 43-37 triple overtime game.

Brooks said the difference between the elite teams of the SEC East and Kentucky isn't what it was when he took the job in 2003.

"My first year we had one player who ran the 40 (yard dash) in 4.5. Last year we had 17. We have more speed and more talent. We have players capable of playing at Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. We've closed the gap in talent."

Kentucky rotates on to the Alabama schedule with the Wildcats visiting Bryant-Denny Stadium on Oct. 4. They will travel to Louisville to kick off the season on Aug. 31.

Andre Woodson graduated after throwing for 3,709 yards and 40 touchdowns. Mike Mike Hartline and Curtis Pulley will battle for the starting quarterback job.