UK football underdog in 10 of 12 games

Aug 20, 2026
13
31
3
This has pretty much been penciled in since before last season even ended. We’re gonna suck this year. Just have to hope it’s entertaining while we do and that we can maybe sneak in 2-3 P4 wins.
 

mhs1964

Senior
Feb 8, 2018
511
609
88
I just hope that many are not yelling for Stein’s scalp after the season. Exuberant optimism will cause dissatisfaction. We have been down a couple of years, starting with a new coach and staff, and facing a brutal schedule is not a picture for immediate success. We can hope but don’t be surprised by a losing record.
 

UKWildcats1987

Heisman
Sep 9, 2021
20,421
36,284
113
Its the SEC.

Thats why all the goofy comparisons to Indiana are way off. The big 10 is top heavy and Indiana had favorable schedules. You aren't ever getting a schedule like that n the sec.

Moving up and staying there way tougher n the sec. I agree with most that 5 wins or 6 certainly is a success due to schedule difficulty.
 

megablue

Heisman
Oct 2, 2012
16,496
17,175
113
I just hope that many are not yelling for Stein’s scalp after the season. Exuberant optimism will cause dissatisfaction. We have been down a couple of years, starting with a new coach and staff, and facing a brutal schedule is not a picture for immediate success. We can hope but don’t be surprised by a losing record.
I know things have changed with NIL and the portal, so fans might be less patient than in the "old" days, but here are Stoops' first five (5) years:
2013 2-10, 0-8
2014 5-7, 2-6
2015 5-7, 2-6
2016 7-6, 4-4 TaxSlayer (Loss)
2017 7-6, 4-4 Music City (Loss)

Total 26-36, 12-28

2018 was a breakout year: 10-3, 5-3, Citrus Bowl win over Penn State
 

Runt#1969

All-American
Dec 13, 2010
21,446
9,243
113
I'm optimistic and hoping we can snag 6 wins and shock a few people along the way ! Make the rest really uncomfortable with what they see out of us.

That would be the best case scenario right there.

7 wins or more is ... well, that would just be incredible. We will have beaten some good teams for certain if we can win that many this year.

Looking forward to this season as any in my 50+ years....
Go Big Blue !
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
47,497
86,998
113
Its the SEC.

Thats why all the goofy comparisons to Indiana are way off. The big 10 is top heavy and Indiana had favorable schedules. You aren't ever getting a schedule like that n the sec.

Moving up and staying there way tougher n the sec. I agree with most that 5 wins or 6 certainly is a success due to schedule difficulty.
Maybe their first season, but last year they were legit. They got seriously lucky picking up that coach.
 

UKWildcats1987

Heisman
Sep 9, 2021
20,421
36,284
113
Maybe their first season, but last year they were legit. They got seriously lucky picking up that coach.

They turned it on n the playoffs. No doubt. They also could have lost a few before then but clutch wins. The playoffs They just dominated though until Miami scared them a bit n title game.
 
  • Like
Reactions: *Fox2Monk*

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
47,497
86,998
113
They turned it on n the playoffs. No doubt. They also could have lost a few before then but clutch wins. The playoffs They just dominated though until Miami scared them a bit n title game.
Cignetti is legit. They didn’t have a 40 million dollar roster either. Lots of three stars. He knows what players he wants for sure. It’s a perfect storm that is basically impossible to replicate. They are spending now, but I can’t see them getting worse with more talent.
 

mhs1964

Senior
Feb 8, 2018
511
609
88
I know things have changed with NIL and the portal, so fans might be less patient than in the "old" days, but here are Stoops' first five (5) years:
2013 2-10, 0-8
2014 5-7, 2-6
2015 5-7, 2-6
2016 7-6, 4-4 TaxSlayer (Loss)
2017 7-6, 4-4 Music City (Loss)

Total 26-36, 12-28

2018 was a breakout year: 10-3, 5-3, Citrus Bowl win over Penn State
I agree that 2018 was a great year. We had Josh Allen and Bennie Snell on that team. Our next ten win season had Levis at QB and while everyone talks about him in my opinion it was WanDale that gave him a great year. Robinson was the best wide receiver that I can remember at UK but I admit my aging brain has memory issues. Except for Levis the others were tried and true.
I know things have changed with NIL and the portal, so fans might be less patient than in the "old" days, but here are Stoops' first five (5) years:
2013 2-10, 0-8
2014 5-7, 2-6
2015 5-7, 2-6
2016 7-6, 4-4 TaxSlayer (Loss)
2017 7-6, 4-4 Music City (Loss)

Total 26-36, 12-28

2018 was a breakout year: 10-3, 5-3, Citrus Bowl win over Penn State
 

TeamAmerica

All-American
Jul 3, 2025
1,625
5,211
113
I just hope that many are not yelling for Stein’s scalp after the season. Exuberant optimism will cause dissatisfaction. We have been down a couple of years, starting with a new coach and staff, and facing a brutal schedule is not a picture for immediate success. We can hope but don’t be surprised by a losing record.
LOL - After the season? There will be people on here calling for his head when they lose for the first time.
 

Cardinalrules

Redshirt
Jul 14, 2025
42
25
18
Its the SEC.

Thats why all the goofy comparisons to Indiana are way off. The big 10 is top heavy and Indiana had favorable schedules. You aren't ever getting a schedule like that n the sec.

Moving up and staying there way tougher n the sec. I agree with most that 5 wins or 6 certainly is a success due to schedule difficulty.
I take it that you didn’t watch what Indiana did to Bama? That was over quickly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 Putts

DudahUK

Heisman
Jul 23, 2020
8,657
13,273
113
Cignetti is legit. They didn’t have a 40 million dollar roster either. Lots of three stars. He knows what players he wants for sure. It’s a perfect storm that is basically impossible to replicate. They are spending now, but I can’t see them getting worse with more talent.
Anyone who would claim different is an idiot. Full stop. Dude called his shot and hit a grand slam. I hate Indiana but I like him a lot.
 

gbl97

All-American
Mar 12, 2002
3,645
5,511
113
Cignetti is legit. They didn’t have a 40 million dollar roster either. Lots of three stars. He knows what players he wants for sure. It’s a perfect storm that is basically impossible to replicate. They are spending now, but I can’t see them getting worse with more talent.
ChatGPT will replicate his strategy. Will Stein just gotta ask.
 

theBlues

All-Conference
Oct 18, 2025
1,836
4,058
113
I'm not going to pick a number but I'm very optimistic. If the offensive line is anywhere near what they're rated then Kentucky will score a lot of points, meaning they'll have a chance to win any game the defense isn't terrible. If the defense is average they might exceed everybody's expectations.
 
Apr 29, 2026
132
163
43
All I can say is that if Kentucky only wins four or five games I'm going to be extremely disappointed with the coach and the program. Kentucky is not that much of a loser regardless of what or who says they are. I'm hoping they can at least go .500 or else we need to be looking for someone else to take over.
 

BigBlueGuru

All-Conference
Feb 10, 2007
1,925
3,289
103
All I can say is that if Kentucky only wins four or five games I'm going to be extremely disappointed with the coach and the program. Kentucky is not that much of a loser regardless of what or who says they are. I'm hoping they can at least go .500 or else we need to be looking for someone else to take over.
You should take Rational out of your username
 
Apr 29, 2026
132
163
43
You should take Rational out of your username
How far has the program fallen if it's no longer even rational to want to not have a losing season or has Kentucky always been that much of a loser program that even the thought of a .500 program is not rational? Is it really not rational to not want Kentucky to be a loser? Perhaps I do need to adjust my expectation of Kentucky not being a loser.
 
Last edited:
  • Haha
Reactions: MarkPftw

SenseMaker_Cats

All-American
Jul 3, 2025
2,226
6,558
113
How far has the program fallen if it's no longer even rational to want to not have a losing season or has Kentucky always been that much of a loser program that even the thought of a .500 program is not rational? Is it really not rational to not want Kentucky to be a loser? Perhaps I do need to adjust my expectation of Kentucky not being a loser.
Just try not being irrational and I think most would appreciate it. Your fake shtick is getting old.
 

Im The Village Idiot

All-American
Sep 7, 2025
2,622
6,527
113
You can want in one hand and sh*t in the other. If anyone doesn't know the difficulty Stein is facing in year 1 then they are not rational. Everyone wants a winning Kentucky team but that may not happen in Steins first year.
I’ve pushed back against the insane expectations people have been operating with for that very reason. It seems harmless to wear the blue goggles but people are putting unrealistic expectations on Stein that could lead to unfair disappointment early on. It will take a little time for him to get this figured out and that’s normal. Win 5 games in year one and I’ll be ecstatic.
 

Bluegrass79

Senior
May 4, 2006
561
806
61
Bro that's been basically the same story for the last 50 years.

There hasn't been too many seasons where we were even favored for half the games LOL.

Of course the same thing was said of Indiana a few years ago and look what happened
 
KSR

Latest

  1. 01 KSR Basketball Recruiting 5-star SG Adan Diggs locks in official visit with Kentucky
  2. 02 KSR Football Will Stein backs his punter with a golf analogy
  3. 03 KSR Football The Athletic breaks down how much Kentucky, Power 4 schools are spending on football rosters
  4. 04 KSR Basketball J Batt listens to BBN, reverses Big Blue Madness ticket change
  5. 05 KSR Football How Kentucky is Coaching Kenny Minchey Through Muddy Pockets