Mark Stoops is focused on Kentucky's game prep with long SEC home losing streak on the line again

Many things have gone wrong for the Kentucky football program recently. Over the last two years, three embarrassing streaks have emerged. UK had not scored more than two offensive touchdowns in a game, UK had lost a bunch of power conference games in a row, and UK had lost a bunch of power conference games in a row at Kroger Field. Kentucky ended the two touchdowns or less streak at 13 games when the Cats scored five touchdowns against Tennessee in Week 9. One week later, the Cats ended an 11-game losing streak to power conference programs with the win over Auburn in Week 10.

Now only one streak stands.

Kentucky has lost 11 consecutive games against power conference foes at home. Ten of those losses have occurred against SEC competition. Saturday night will be the final power conference game at home this season. It’s UK’s final chance to end the program’s most embarrassing streak.

Mark Stoops sounded ready to end that streak in his postgame press conference at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday night.

“It is special going on the road and winning, but I acknowledge how important it is — it’s been a while since we had one at home, and so we’re going to go back to work. The players already said it, the coaches will be in that office — we’re gonna get home late tonight, but we’ll be in that office tomorrow morning working, and the players will as well, and let’s go get one at home,” Stoops said after the Auburn win. “It’s important for us and for our fanbase.”

Many will want to discuss Stoops’ hot seat status and long-term future at Kentucky this week but perhaps the biggest issue facing this program right now is this long home losing streak. It needs to end quickly. Saturday is the final opportunity.

KSR asked Stoops about how he will handled the long streak and if he will address it with the team. It sounds like Kentucky doesn’t want to make it a big deal.

“Let’s be honest, we want to win every week. Right? Whether it’s home or away, so I don’t think that’s even anything to discuss. I mean, there’s always a balance with being too high, being too low. Whatever. We always try to find that slot,” Stoops told KSR. “But no, I don’t think that needs to be discussed.”

“We’ve won a game here this year. I know people will write or say whatever you want to say, but it’s not like we haven’t won a game at Kroger Field. We just gotta go have a great week and do the things necessary to put ourselves in position to win. We keep on putting ourselves into position to win, we’ll win.”

Winning is always the goal. Kentucky puts itself in position to win against both Ole Miss and Texas at home before falling short. The Cats were able to finish a game against Auburn. Will they be able to do the same against Florida?

The program is aware of this losing streak. Stoops is on record about wanting to get one at home for the fans but the plan is to just get back to work and live in the present. Kentucky is investing in the day-to-day process.

Only time will tell if that leads to the result that everyone is looking for.