Over the last few years, the NFL has turned schedule release day into a made-for-TV event. Not to be outdone the SEC has started doing the same thing. Because as we all know, it just means more. The annual schedule release came earlier this week and for Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats, it’s going to be some tough sledding. We’re going to take a month-by-month look at each of the 12 games. Let’s start with the first few games as Kentucky’s 2025 schedule is unveiled.
Another Very Tough Slate
One thing to note as we get into the schedule the league decided there would be eight SEC games again this year. That means any possible nine-game slate won’t start until 2026 at the earliest. In addition, the league made things easy as far as scheduling. Everyone flips what they did in 2024. The teams you played at home will be on the road and vice versa. For some league teams, this is a blessing, the Wildcats, not so much.
Potential Promising Start
August 30th- Toledo – As they do most years the Wildcats open up against a Mid-American school. This will be the second time in history these two schools have met. Kentucky won 38-24 in the 2019 season opener. The Rockets are 7-5 this year and meet Pittsburgh in the GameAbove Sports Bowl in Detroit. Earlier this year they beat Mississippi State handily in Starkville 41-17.
September 6th- Ole Miss – Let’s face it the 2024 Wildcat season peaked in an upset win over the Rebels in Oxford. The Cats would love to make it two in a row over Lane Kiffin’s squad and break a seven-game SEC home losing streak in the process.
September 13th- Eastern Michigan – Kentucky gets its second “MAC-tion” in three weeks to open the 2025 campaign. This is the third all-time meeting between the Cats and Eagles. Kentucky won 24-20 in 2017 and 38-17 two years later.
September 27th- At South Carolina – Following three straight home games the Cats hit the road for the first time. It certainly won’t be easy heading to Columbia with “Sandstorm” blaring constantly. In a series that’s gone back and forth with one school dominating, the pendulum has swung back to the Gamecocks. From 2014 to 2021 Kentucky won seven of eight. However, Shane Beamer’s club has won the last three.
The South Carolina game certainly won’t be easy. Unfortunately, it’s the tip of the iceberg for a brutal October slate. Let’s move ahead as Kentucky’s 2025 schedule is unveiled.
Navigating a Minefield
October 4th- At Georgia – The Wildcats kick off the month heading to Athens to face the reigning SEC champions. In case you had forgotten UK hasn’t defeated the Bulldogs since 2009. That’s a 15-game losing streak.
October 18th- Texas – Following the second bye week of the year the Cats host the SEC runner-up in the Longhorns. It’s a long way until next October but you wonder if Arch Manning will run the show for Steve Sarkisian next season. This will be their first trip to Lexington and third meeting overall. Interesting note, Texas A&M joined the league in 2012 and is yet to play at Kentucky.
October 25th- Tennessee – UK has lost four straight against the Vols since a surprising blowout win in 2020. Overall Tennessee leads the series 85 wins to 26 with nine ties.
If you are scoring at home, or if you are by yourself, three SEC teams made the College Football Playoff this year. Furthermore, they’ll start 2025 as favorites to make it again. The Wildcats play all of them in October. Let’s finish up our look at next year as Kentucky’s 2025 schedule is unveiled.
Five Straight to Finish Up
November 1st- At Auburn – The 2024 campaign was littered with bad losses. However, the worst may have been a home loss to the Tigers. The Cats have won twice at Auburn in history, 1961 and 2009.
November 8th- Florida – Back in the 1970’s and 80’s the Gators routinely played in Lexington in November. Whether that had anything to do with Kentucky winning more in the series is up to you. Nonetheless, the last time Florida played at Kroger Field (Commonwealth Stadium) this late in the year was 1990.
November 15th- Tennessee Tech – Following six straight conference games the Cats step out of conference to host the Eagles. It’s the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
November 22nd- At Vanderbilt – Usually this game is played early in the year. However, in 2025, Kentucky ends conference play by heading to Nashville. Stoops has won four straight on the road in the series.
November 29th- At Louisville – Kentucky ends the regular season trying to regain the Governor’s Cup it lost for the first time since 2017.
Final Thoughts
On paper, the Kentucky schedule ranks as one of the most difficult in the league. The Wildcats face all of the SEC’s playoff teams and nine of the 12 teams made a bowl. Thanks for checking out our look as Kentucky’s 2024 schedule is unveiled.
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