Another fall, another grind through the SEC. but will Kentucky football find brighter days in 2025?
The Wildcats are coming off a frustrating 4-8 season and enter 2025 with more questions than answers. Gone are playmakers like Dane Key and Barion Brown. Still in place is offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan, whose 2024 unit averaged just 308.5 yards per game — the fewest in the SEC. Zach Calzada returns to the SEC at quarterback, looking to bring leadership, toughness, and hopefully, points.
Let’s break down the schedule and see what a realistic season could look like.
2025 Kentucky Football Game-by-Game Prediction
Aug. 30 – Toledo (Home):
Toledo is no pushover, but Kentucky’s defense should control this one. If Calzada gets comfortable, this could be a tone-setter.
✅ Win (1-0)
Sept. 6 – Ole Miss (Home):
The Rebels bring offensive firepower, and Kentucky’s 0-4 SEC home record last season isn’t easy to forget. Until proven otherwise, home-field advantage isn’t helping. Lane is going to be looking for revenge.
❌ Loss (1-1)
Sept. 13 – Eastern Michigan (Home):
A manageable matchup for UK, and one that could offer some offensive rhythm ahead of conference play.
✅ Win (2-1)
Sept. 27 – at South Carolina (Away):
Williams-Brice is a nightmare when South Carolina is rolling. The Gamecocks embarrassed UK last year, and while revenge is possible, road track record says otherwise.
❌ Loss (2-2)
Oct. 4 – at Georgia (Away):
No surprises here. Georgia’s depth, physicality, and home-field dominance should overpower Kentucky once again.
❌ Loss (2-3)
Oct. 18 – Texas (Home):
The Longhorns may be eyeing a playoff push, and the Cats won't be able to derail that at this time.
❌ Loss (2-4)
Oct. 25 – Tennessee (Home):
UK hasn't ever been able to get to Tennessee on a consistent basis under Stoops. He is just 2-9 against the Vols, no reason to think that changes this year with this much roster turnover.
❌ Loss (2-5)
Nov. 1 – at Auburn (Away):
Auburn’s offense has struggled, but so has Kentucky’s. The Tigers beat UK last year and likely grind out another.
❌ Loss (2-6)
Nov. 8 – Florida (Home):
This game always seems winnable, but Florida will have DJ Lagway, who last year picked apart Kentucky's zone defense for a whooping 259 yards on just 7 completions.
❌ Loss (2-7)
Nov. 15 – Tennessee Tech (Home):
An FCS opponent offers a welcome break. This should be a blowout.
✅ Win (3-7)
Nov. 22 – at Vanderbilt (Away):
Vandy is improving, and UK’s road play has been flat-out bad. Unless something clicks late in the year, the ‘Dores might take two straight.
❌ Loss (3-8)
Nov. 29 – at Louisville (Away):
Rivalry games are unpredictable, and Louisville smacked Kentucky at home last year. Look for Mark Stoops to be coaching to save the fanbase here and pull an upset.
✅ Win (4-8)
The Verdict: 4-8 (1-7 SEC)
Kentucky looks like a team stuck in the middle of a rebuild. Calzada brings veteran poise, but the loss of top-tier receivers and a stagnant offensive scheme could keep this team from taking the next step. Until Hamdan shows the offense can generate consistent production, it’s hard to see this group surviving the SEC gauntlet.
Unless something changes — whether it’s a breakout player, midseason QB spark, or defensive dominance — another 4-8 season seems likely. Maybe even expected. The sad thing is Toledo will be no pushover, and Louisville will likely be favored by quite a bit, lose those 2 and it's 2-10. Yikes.