The Kentucky Wildcats are just 22-40 over their last five seasons, but they’re 15-7 outside the SEC during that time. Those numbers bode well for the Cats as they prepare to begin a new season against non-conference foes UT Martin and Ohio University.

Let’s take a closer look at how Kentucky has fared against non-conference opponents since 2009:

In-state rivals

Kentucky has lost to its arch-rival, Louisville, for three years in a row by an average of 13 points per contest. Charlie Strong took over the Louisville program in 2010, and once he and the Cards hit their stride, they consistently out-classed the Cats for three straight years. UK beat the Cards in 2009 and 2010 at the tail-end of a four-year win streak against Louisville. However, it should be noted the Cats won those two games by a combined 11 points. Louisville is traditionally Kentucky’s most difficult non-conference opponent, and the Wildcats’ struggles against the Cards reveal their mediocre standing outside the SEC.

Kentucky’s state-wide perception took an even greater hit in 2012 and 2013, when UK lost back-to-back games to Western Kentucky of the Sun Belt Conference. The Cats beat the Hilltoppers two years in a row in 2010 and 2011, blowing out WKU 63-28 in 2010 before escaping with a 14-3 victory in an ugly game in 2011. Kentucky lost 32-31 in 2012 on a two-point conversion in overtime, and the Hilltoppers blew past the Cats 35-26 last season, firmly entrenching UK as the worst of the three FBS programs in the state of Kentucky.

Western Kentucky is not on Kentucky’s 2014 schedule.

Mid-majors

Every SEC schools schedules a couple of mid-major programs to lighten the load amid a bevvy of difficult conference games, and Kentucky has been no exception. The Cats are a perfect 6-0 against FBS schools from outside the power conferences during the last five seasons, registering wins over Miami [Ohio] (twice), Kent State, Central Michigan, Akron and UL Monroe. Kentucky won those games by an average of more than 28 points per contest, winning all six games by at least 14 points.

FCS programs

Kentucky has also played its fair share of games against FCS opponents, scheduling at least one every season since 2009. UT Martin is UK’s lone FCS opponent in 2014, and the Cats have given little evidence of looking past the little guy during the last five seasons. Kentucky has won all five games by at least 24 points, never playing the same FCS program twice during that span.

Bowl games

Kentucky played in bowl games following the 2009 and 2010 seasons, losing both games to a pair of current ACC programs in Pittsburgh and Clemson. UK had won three straight bowl games prior to the 2009 season, but lost 21-13 to Clemson in ’09 and 27-10 to Pittsburgh in 2010 without starting quarterback Mike Hartline, who has suspended for the game.

Conclusion

When there’s little on the line, Kentucky tends to take advantage. The Cats have clobbered mid-major and FCS foes over the last five seasons, but have struggled mightily in their most meaningful non-conference games against in-state rivals. The Wildcats only play one in-state rival in 2014, the annual Governor’s Cup game against Louisville, which will be played at the end of the season for the first time in history. It should win its other three non-conference games with ease, beginning with Saturday’s game against UT Martin, but the Cats final game against Louisville could ultimately determine whether the 2014 season was a boom-or-bust.