Where Kentucky stands in the FBS Rankings ahead of the South Carolina game

Saturday marks the start of six straight games against SEC foes for Kentucky. It probably won’t surprise you, but the Cats are ranked lower than all six of those teams in the latest FBS rankings — although Florida is tumbling toward Kentucky’s territory after a 1-3 start.

After the bye week, Kentucky is down two spots to No. 65 in The Athletic‘s ranking of the 136 teams in the FBS, and down three spots to No. 63 in CBS Sports‘. Kentucky is no longer the lowest-ranked SEC team in CBS Sports’ rankings; that honor belongs to Arkansas, which fell 22 spots to No. 64 after back-to-back losses at Ole Miss and Memphis. Florida isn’t far away, No. 54 in The Athletic’s ranking and No. 59 in CBS Sports’.

South Carolina also slid in the rankings, to No. 35/39 following the 29-20 loss at Missouri. The Gamecocks will be looking to notch their first SEC win of the season vs. Kentucky on Saturday under the lights at Williams-Brice Stadium (7:45 PM ET, SEC Network). Save us, Cutter Boley.

Here is where all of Kentucky’s opponents stand in the FBS rankings and AP Poll. Tennessee Tech, which Kentucky hosts on Nov. 15, is in the FCS and therefore not included.

Date	Opponent	The Athletic	CBS Sports	AP Poll
Aug. 30	Toledo	71 (-6)	75 (-3)	NR
Sept. 6	Ole Miss	13 (+3)	13 (+2)	13
Sept. 13	Eastern Michigan	125 (+9)	121 (+8)	NR
Sept. 27	at South Carolina	35 (-7)	39 (-3)	NR
Oct. 4	at Georgia	5	3	5
Oct. 18	Texas	8 (-1)	12 (-2)	10 (-2)
Oct. 25	Tennessee	20	15 (-1)	15
Nov. 1	at Auburn	21 (-9)	27 (-5)	RV
Nov. 8	Florida	54 (-4)	59 (-11)	NR
Nov. 22	at Vanderbilt	18 (-4)	19 (+2)	18 (+2)
Nov. 29	at Louisville	26	26	RV

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Kentucky higher than South Carolina in SP+ Rankings

If you trust computers more than the talking heads, I’ve got good news for you. Kentucky (No. 38) actually ranks higher than South Carolina (No. 50) in the SP+ Rankings. The Cats climbed three spots over the bye week, while the Gamecocks fell five spots after the loss to Mizzou. Kentucky’s offense ranks No. 65 in the country in the SP+, the defense No. 29, and special teams No. 7. Like Steve Spurrier said, we’ve got a heck of a punter.

ESPN’s Football Power Index isn’t as high on the Cats, ranking them last in the SEC at No. 43. South Carolina is No. 33. The FPI gives Kentucky a 42% chance of reaching six wins, projecting the record at 5.3-6.7. Obviously, a win over South Carolina would go a long way in helping the Cats reach a bowl.