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Kentucky has strong cover track record versus ranked teams

Adam Luckettby: Adam Luckett10/18/25adamluckettksr
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(Photo by Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio)

Mark Stoops owns 14 all-time wins against ranked foes. The dean of SEC head coaches has guided the UK football program to some big moments. Over the last few seasons, the Wildcats have typically been at their best against opponents with a number by their name.

The results back this up. Since the 2020 season, UK is 16-8-3 against the spread (ATS) against ranked competition with 10 outright wins. Most of the Stoops’ success against ranked foes has occurred in the back half of his tenure in Lexington.

DateSpreadResult
10/17/2020Kentucky (+6) at No. 18 TennesseeCats 34, Vols 7
1/2/2021 (Gator Bowl)Kentucky (-3) vs. No. 24 NC State Cats 23, Wolfpack 21
10/2/2021No. 10 Florida at Kentucky (+7)Cats 20, Gators 13
1/1/2022 (Citrus Bowl)No. 22 Kentucky (-3) vs. No. 15 IowaCats 20, Hawkeyes 17
9/10/2022No. 20 Kentucky (+6) at No. 12 FloridaCats 26, Gators 16
10/15/2022No. 16 Mississippi State at No. 22 Kentucky (+3)Cats 27, Bulldogs 17
11/26/2022No. 25 Louisville at Kentucky (-3)Cats 26, Cards 13
9/30/2023No. 22 Florida at Kentucky (-1)Cats 33, Gators 14
11/25/2023Kentucky (+7) at No. 9 LouisvilleCats 38, Cards 31
9/28/2024Kentucky (+15) at No. 6 Ole MissCats 20, Rebels 17

UK has averaged two ranked wins per season over the last five years. You have to go all the way back to 2019 when the Cats didn’t finish the season with a ranked victory. After missing opportunities against Ole Miss and Georgia this season, the Big Blue will receive another chance to record a ranked win when Texas rolls into town.

This program recorded big wins during the Keeneland double-dip in 2021 and 2022. Can the program deliver another one in 2025?

Scouting Report: Texas Longhorns (KSR+)

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2025-10-20