For Drake Jackson, losing the rivalry game with Louisville stung, but adding 2 more SEC games made the loss a little easier to swallow. After all, Kentucky players believe they have an opportunity to prove themselves even more.

“That’s a rivalry that we’ve had the upper hand in, and we were really excited to get another crack at (them),” Jackson told Curtis Burch of the UK Sports Network. “But ultimately … in a selfish way, I wanted to get a chance to see as many SEC stadiums as I could, and now I get a chance to go see Bryant-Denny and Jordan-Hare over at Auburn. I’m excited for those two games.”

Jackson sees it as a chance to pull out a measuring stick against the heavyweights in the SEC that UK doesn’t play every year.

“We have such a good team this year, why not add two more SEC games and give us a chance to prove ourselves even more,” he said.

The Wildcats open the season at Auburn on Sept. 26, and then travel to Alabama on Nov. 21.