The Kentucky Wildcats (4-1) are off to their best start in recent memory. After two seasons of winless records in conference games, the Wildcats already have signature wins over Vanderbilt and South Carolina, with their only loss coming in overtime at Florida. Kentucky has already matched its overall win total from its last two combined seasons and continues to make progress in head coach Mark Stoops’ second year.

The Wildcats’ resurrection is similar to Vanderbilt under former head coach James Franklin. Before leaving for Penn State this offseason, Franklin saw back-to-back nine win seasons and three straight bowl game appearances in three seasons with the Commodores. He took over the program after two consecutive losing seasons and just one bowl game appearance since 1982 (2008 Music City Bowl).

Like Vanderbilt, Kentucky finished toward the bottom of the SEC East annually and was overshadowed by the success of other athletic programs. Vanderbilt’s baseball program has consistently been the most successful of its “Big Three” men’s sports — winning a national championship in 2014 — while basketball also saw more success in years leading up to Franklin’s hire.

In Lexington, basketball is king and usually takes the fan base’s attention midway through the football season. In 2014, Kentucky fans have a reason to keep their focus on the gridiron as the team remains in contention for an SEC East title. Stoops’ success on the recruiting trail has given the Wildcats a roster full of young talent and speed at skill positions.

While Vanderbilt is struggling through a decline, Kentucky seems to be the exceeding its expected rebuilding process. The Wildcats are just two wins from clinching bowl eligibility, which would mark their first appearance since 2010. Following Saturday’s game against Louisiana-Monroe, the Wildcats schedule includes games at LSU (Oct. 18), vs. Mississippi State (Oct. 25), at Missouri (Nov. 1), vs. Georgia (Nov. 8), at Tennessee (Nov. 15) and at Louisville (Nov. 29).

Kentucky has a strong chance to capture at least two wins in the coming weeks and secure bowl eligibility. Stoops deserves credit for resurrecting a downtrodden program and turning it into the surprise team of the SEC.