We’re almost to the end of May, and that can only mean one thing. With each passing day, we are getting closer and closer to the 2026 season. For the Kentucky Wildcats, it’s the first year under new head coach Will Stein, who takes over for Mark Stoops after 13 years in Lexington. After eight straight bowl games, the Cats missed out on the postseason the last two years. However, they’ll certainly have their work cut out for them if they want to make a bowl this year. As usual, the SEC schedule makers did them no favors. Let’s look all 12 games with an early look at Kentucky’s 2026 opponents.
Kentucky’s 2026 Opponents
Games The Cats Should Win
Youngstown State- September 5th- This game was set up a few years ago when Stoops, Vince Marrow, and others were still at Kentucky. After all, those former members of the staff are all Youngstown natives. The Penguins went 8-5 in FCS a season ago. Stein should start his career with a win.
South Alabama- September 26th- The Jaguars finished the 2025 season at 4-8, playing in the Sun Belt. The second game on the schedule in which UK should be a heavy favorite.
An early look at Kentucky’s 2026 opponents continues with a much tougher slate of games.
Could Go Either Way
Florida- November 14th- The Gators have a new coach who’s very familiar to Wildcat fans, in Jon Sumrall. A scheduling quirk sends Florida back to Lexington for a second straight year. Kentucky’s won four of the last five and should make it five of six.
Vanderbilt- October 24th- Diego Pavia is gone down in Nashville, and folks around the SEC are wondering if the Commodores can maintain their recent success without him. Vanderbilt’s won three of the last four and the last couple in Lexington.
At Missouri- November 21st- These former SEC East rivals met every year from 2012 to 2023 when the Tigers joined the league. However, when the SEC went to 16 teams, they haven’t played the last two years. Overall, Kentucky leads the series 8-5, but winning at Faurot Field is always tough.
At South Carolina- October 3rd- This has been a series of streaks with the Gamecocks winning the last four. We’ll miss the chirping back and forth between Stoops and Shane Beamer. If the Cats want to have a big season, they must win this one.
Louisville- November 28th- Another rivalry that the Cats had dominated, which recently flipped. Jeff Brohm’s Cardinals whipped the Wildcats 82-14 over the last two years. You want to get the Big Blue Nation behind you in a hurry? Beating Louisville and taking back the Governor’s Cup is a great start.
Let’s finish up an early look at Kentucky’s 2026 opponents with some top teams.
Some Tough Sledding
LSU- October 10th- Arguably the biggest story of the offseason was Lane Kiffin leaving Ole Miss for Baton Rouge. In addition, Ed Orgeron is back in the fold with the Tigers. These two teams used to play every year, but have only met twice since 2014. A win here sets up Kentucky for a big season.
At Tennessee- November 7th- After the Cats won against the Vols in 2017 and 2020, Tennessee has reasserted its dominance. Currently, Jeremy Pruitt’s squad is on a five-game winning streak. Winning in Knoxville is always tough, and this year is no exception.
At Oklahoma- October 17th- From here on out, the competition is all playoff teams. The Wildcats and Sooners have met three times in history. The lone Kentucky win we voted the second-best in school history. UK played once in Norman all the way back in 1980. Forty-six years later, they’ll meet again.
Alabama- September 12th- Stein’s first SEC game will be no easy task when they host the Crimson Tide. Alabama leads the series 39-2 with one tie. Tim Couch led the Cats to an upset back in 1997. Could Kenny Minchey help UK shock the world again?
At Texas A&M- September 19th- A week after hosting the Crimson Tide, the Cats hit the road for the first time in 2026. The Aggies have been in the SEC since 2012. However, they are yet to come to Lexington. That will finally happen in 2028. UK lost in College Station back in 2018.
Final Thoughts
The first thing that jumps out at you when examining the Kentucky schedule is that there’s no Georgia. The old school SEC rivals had met every year since 1956. However, that’s not the case in 2026. That may not be a bad thing, as the Bulldogs have won 16 in a row, with many of the scores being a whole lot to very little. Furthermore, the Cats avoid Texas, a squad many think will be in the running for the national championship.
Thanks for checking out an early look at Kentucky’s 2026 opponents here at Last Word On College Football.
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