Kentucky named one of AP voters’ most underrated teams since 2014
Kentucky football fans have long felt that national respect is earned in inches and lost in seconds. Now there’s data to back that feeling up. College football insider Brett McMurphy released a list on X of the AP Voters’ Top 25 Most Underrated Teams Since 2014, and the Wildcats land at No. 13 overall.
This ranking measures programs that AP voters have consistently undervalued compared to their final performance in the polls or postseason. In other words — the Wildcats have been better than the national perception, and the results prove it.
What It Means for Kentucky
Kentucky’s placement is significant for a couple of reasons. First, it shows that despite SEC competition, UK has put together seasons that outpaced expectations. Whether it was the breakthrough 10-win campaign in 2018, or steady runs under Mark Stoops, the Wildcats have delivered more than the national media has predicted.
Second, it’s a reminder of how thin the margin is for programs outside the traditional blue-blood football powers. Kentucky can win eight or nine games and still be dismissed in preseason projections — something this ranking essentially calls out.
SEC company
The Wildcats are one of just four SEC teams in the top 15, alongside Mississippi St. (No. 8), Missouri (No. 15) and Ole Miss (No. 23). That puts Kentucky ahead of programs that often get more preseason buzz but don’t always deliver at the same clip.
Why the disrespect?
Part of it is brand perception — Kentucky is still primarily viewed as a basketball school by the national media. Another factor is the SEC narrative, where Georgia and Florida dominate the headlines. But as this data shows, the Wildcats have consistently over-performed expectations, even though the expectations were meager.
Looking ahead
For head coach Mark Stoops (and the 2025 Wildcats), the challenge is to turn “underrated” into “consistently respected.” But for now, fans can take pride in the fact that the program has outperformed the hype according to Brett McMurphy at least.