Kentucky cracks AP Top 25 for first time in nearly 3 years
By Ethan Stone
Published:
The Kentucky Wildcats are ranked in the AP Poll for the first time since Week 7 of the 2023 season after beating South Alabama 45-21 on Saturday. Kentucky is 3-1 on the year with a lone loss to No. 7 Alabama and entered the top 25 ahead of Mizzou at No. 25.
The Wildcats were one of 10 SEC teams ranked in Week 5.
A big reason for Kentucky’s jump stems from a huge win over Texas A&M last week in College Station. The Wildcats, led by Kenny Minchey under center, beat Texas A&M 31-21.
The Wildcats offense is legit under first-year head coach Will Stein, who came over from Oregon after serving as the Ducks’ offensive coordinator. Perhaps the most impressive unit for the Wildcats is Kentucky’s offensive line, the Big Blue Wall. On Saturday against South Alabama, 3 Kentucky running backs totaled over 100 yards rushing — and Texas A&M’s pass rush had no answer as Minchey picked them apart for 252 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Can Kentucky sustain this success? Next up for the Wildcats is a road trip to Columbia, South Carolina to face off against a Gamecocks team that has yet to earn an SEC victory this season.
Ethan Stone is a Saturday Down South News Editor and an advocate for the return of the Seattle Supersonics.
