The Kentucky Wildcats opened their season with a 5-3 record through their first eight games. The Wildcats surpassed their combined win total of four from their previous two seasons (two in both 2012 and 2013) and found themselves one game shy of securing bowl eligibility.

That was enough for Kentucky to extend the contract of second-year coach Mark Stoops last Friday, despite coming off back-to-back losses to LSU and No. 1 Mississippi State. Stoops, whose original contract was extended to 2018 this offseason, was extended through the 2019 season, giving him five more seasons under contract.

The timing, however, may have been rushed as Kentucky faces a three-game losing streak. The Wildcats fortune doesn’t look to improve as they host No. 17 Georgia on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium and are a 10-point underdog.

While a bowl game once seemed inevitable, Kentucky’s chances are becoming more bleak by the passing week. The Wildcats upcoming schedule includes games at Tennessee and Louisville, with both teams expected to be favored. Kentucky is 0-3 on the road this season, with losses to Florida, LSU and Missouri.

Stoops does deserve credit for the progress his team has made since his arrival in November 2012. However, after already receiving an extension, the move seems hasty.

Kentucky has benefited from weak matchups early in the season and struggled through the grind of an SEC schedule. The Wildcats are 2-4 in conference games, which is an improvement from Stoops’ 0-8 record during his first season that warranted his original extension.

Kentucky is far from a historic powerhouse, so low expectations aren’t out of the question. The Wildcats haven’t made a bowl game appearance since 2010 and haven’t had a winning season since 2009.

Stoops has exceeded expectations for his second season thus far, but could see a monumental collapse should Kentucky miss a bowl game. The timing for the new deal just seems premature given the Wildcats’ current losing streak. Stoops must win another game in order to prevent his team from seeing a disappointing end its season.