Kentucky Bowl Projections Entering Ole Miss Week

Kentucky’s 31-23 win over Northern Illinois did little to move the needle nationally when it comes to the Cats, but there were still some changes in the bowl projections. Last week, most national writers had the Cats in the Sugar or ReliaQuest Bowl; now, following Tennessee‘s big win over Florida, all but two have the Vols ringing in the New Year in New Orleans instead. As a result, Kentucky’s slotted in the ReliaQuest or Citrus Bowls. Shoutout to Brett McMurphy and College Football News for keeping the Sugar Bowl dream alive.

• ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura: Citrus Bowl vs. Penn State (Jan. 2, 1 p.m. ABC, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL)
• ESPN’s Mark Schlabach: Citrus Bowl vs. Minnesota (Jan. 2, 1 p.m. ABC, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL)
• CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm: ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Wake Forest (Jan. 2, 12 p.m., ESPN2, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL)
• Brett McMurphy: Sugar Bowl vs. Oklahoma State (Dec. 31, Noon, ESPN, Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA)
• 247 Sports’ Brad Crawford: ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Wisconsin (Jan. 2, 12 p.m., ESPN2, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL)
• College Football News: Sugar Bowl vs. Oklahoma State (Dec. 31, Noon, ESPN, Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA)
• Sporting News’ Bill Bender: Citrus Bowl vs. Minnesota (Jan. 2, 1 p.m. ABC, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL)

Where Kentucky stands in the CFP projections

The College Football Playoff rankings don’t officially come out until late November, but almost every national outlet is getting a head start. ESPN’s Bill Connelly ranked the top 16 playoff contenders and Kentucky is not among them; however, the Cats did make Heather Dinich’s 18-team tiered ranking. Kentucky is in Tier 3, “Undefeated but need to show more,” along with Oklahoma State, Penn State, Washington, Tennessee, and NC State.

Toughest test ahead: Nov. 19 vs. Georgia. If Kentucky is going to take the next step and win the East, it must win this game, but ESPN’s FPI gives Georgia an 86.6% chance to win.

What the selection committee will consider: How grueling this schedule is. If somehow Kentucky survives a road trip to Ole Miss, and a crossover game against Mississippi State — plus Tennessee and Georgia — there won’t be any doubt it’s a playoff contender.

ESPN

Win this weekend and a lot of our dreams become closer to reality.