Kentucky has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2018 season. ESPN’s Football Power Index is finally recognizing the Wildcats as a top 25 team with the regular season in the books.

UK checks in at No. 25 in the World Wide Leader’s updated FPI after a wild Rivalry Week. Kentucky’s 56-10 win over Louisville moved the Wildcats up from No. 37 in the post-Week 12 FPI.

Here are the eight other SEC teams:

  • No. 1 – Alabama
  • No. 3 – Georgia
  • No. 9 – Mississippi State
  • No. 12 – Missouri
  • No. 13 – Florida
  • No. 16 – LSU
  • No. 18 – Texas A&M
  • No. 19 – Auburn
  • No. 25 – Kentucky

As demonstrated above, the FPI is not resume based. ESPN defines the FPI as a “measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season.” The rankings are based on a team’s FPI (e.g. Alabama, 30.9) which “represents how many points above or below average a team is.”

Not only is LSU ahead of Texas A&M in the FPI rankings despite the Aggies winning 74-72 Saturday night, but the Aggies actually moved down while the Bayou Bengals moved up. After Week 12, Texas A&M was No. 16 and LSU No. 18. We all know, however, that will do little to the change the mood of either fan base after Saturday’s new classic.