When the word "rivalry" comes to mind for the Big Blue Nation, a collection of classically detested programs comes to mind. Louisville is first, of course, followed by the likes of Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, and even Tennessee, in an order that may vary from fan to fan. Since the SEC expanded in 2024, though, I've had my eyes on a potential new rivalry: Kentucky vs. Texas.
There's nothing inherently vitriolic about this matchup, but now that it's taking place on an annual basis, a few early signs are pointing towards this duel beginning to boil over. Much like the aforementioned Tennessee, sometimes all it takes is close proximity for a regular game to go wrong.
Since the Longhorns joined the SEC, Kentucky has gone 1-1 against the orange and white as that program endures a coaching change. First, Mark Pope traveled to the Lone Star State back in 2025; the No. 12 Wildcats suffered a terrible loss to a 16-10 Texas team that would fire their coach shortly thereafter.
Then, in Sean Miller's first year behind the wheel, Texas came to Rupp Arena. The Longhorns had the upper hand this time, ranked No. 22 to the Cats' unranked position, but would take their own turn in coming up short, 85-80.
The Match That Started the Fire
The kicker that time around? A flagrant foul in the second half by Texas' Simeon Wilcher that sent Otega Oweh to the line, allowing Kentucky to begin to pull away. That was the match that started the fire, and with both teams equipped with arguably their best rosters yet under their respective current coaches, I believe this matchup is set to hit new heights.
Led by Milan Momcilovic and Zoom Diallo, Kentucky is entering the 2026-27 season floating around the 15-20 mark in most national rankings. Momcilovic is Pope's biggest get in the transfer portal ever, and this Wildcats team appears most suited to play to his strengths as a coach.
Texas, on the other hand, just beat out Kentucky for five-star forward Marcus Spears Jr., who immediately reclassified to join the Longhorns for this coming season. Sean Miller has built a squad that, in the eyes of some, could even topple Florida for the top spot in the SEC.
A Budding Rivalry
And with both Pope and Miller still trying to earn their stripes at either program, Kentucky's inevitable meeting this season with Texas, in Texas, is looking massive already. A potential top-five SEC battle with ramifications for the reputation of either coach? Looks like a budding rivalry to me.
This is all assuming we get a little fire to go with the smoke from here on out; after all, what's a rivalry without a little braggadocio?
But prior to the season, at least, this one has all the pieces of a matchup that could be more than your typical annual meeting. So long as both programs continue to rise, this once-per-year game's importance should rise right along with it.
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