Will Stein’s era for Kentucky football is kicking off, and if these predictions hold up, they’re about to pull off the shocker of the year early on. Forget a slow start, the Wildcats are projected to make some serious noise right out of the gate in 2026, including a monumental Week 2 victory that could reshape their season. It’s been a long offseason, and now we finally get to see what this new-look team is all about under Stein’s leadership.
Early Season Brawls and a Massive Upset
The Wildcats open their 2026 campaign hosting Youngstown State, and while the Penguins boast a talent like quarterback Beau Brungard, who snatched the Walter Payton award last season, the talent gap here is just too big. Coach Stein is expected to have his offense absolutely humming in Week 1, showing the big blue nation exactly what to expect. That’s a definite win. But hold up, because Week 2 against Alabama? That’s where things get wild. This game could be program-defining. Alabama, under Kalen DeBoer, has shown some cracks early in seasons and away from their home turf. Plus, they’ve got their own roster turnover, with redshirt freshman QB Keelon Russell making his first road start at Kroger Field. Kentucky’s healthy, talented, and honestly, the prediction is they shock the entire college football world with a monumental win. Talk about an early statement!
However, the road quickly gets tough. Traveling to Texas A&M in Week 3 right after what’s expected to be a four-quarter slugfest against Alabama? That’s a brutal spot, even if the Aggies are taking a step back from last season. That’s projected as a loss. Good news though, they get a bounce-back game in Week 4 against South Alabama, likely the weakest team on their schedule, meaning a Wildcat roll. Then it’s back on the road in Week 5 to South Carolina. Williams-Brice Stadium is going to be hostile, and this is a huge game for both Stein and Shane Beamer. Kentucky is the healthier team though, and they are predicted to snag a massive road win there.
SEC Gauntlet and Tough Sledding Ahead
The middle of the season throws Kentucky into a serious SEC gauntlet. Lane Kiffin brings his LSU Tigers to Lexington in Week 6, and you better believe it’ll be a high-scoring affair. Kiffin’s had some close calls against Kentucky before, even when he was at Ole Miss. The Wildcats might make them sweat, but it’s not enough to pull off the win this time.
Then comes the toughest game on the schedule, a trip to Norman in Week 7 to face Oklahoma. The Sooners are projected to have the best defense Kentucky will see all season, and their offense packs some serious punch too. This just isn’t a good spot for the Wildcats, ending in another predicted loss. Rounding out this stretch, Week 8 sees Vanderbilt, who is also expected to regress from their incredible season in 2025. They recently n
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Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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