Experts call Kentucky's schedule a nightmare, Will Stein says 'Why not us?'

We knew the SEC was going to get tougher. One more conference game, one less cupcake. But looking at the 2026 slate? This is an absolute gauntlet:

Sept. 5 Youngstown State
Sept. 12 Alabama
Sept. 19 @ Texas A&M
Sept. 26 South Alabama
Oct. 3 @ South Carolina
Oct.10 LSU
Oct. 17 @ Oklahoma
Oct. 24 Vanderbilt
Nov. 7 @ Tennessee
Nov. 14 Florida
Nov. 21 @ Missouri
Nov. 28 Louisville

That is Kentucky football's 2026 schedule, and it is an absolute gauntlet. Alabama in week two, heading to Kyle Field the very next week? You get a small breather with South Alabama, but right back to the grindstone with a trip to Columbia, hosting Lane Kiffin the next week, and then heading to Norman the very next. Oh, and if you thought things would lighten up, Vanderbilt, at Tennessee, Florida, and at Missouri are waiting for you. Then there is the small matter of the Governor's Cup to finish the season.

Kentucky football will have a chance to slay plenty of giants in 2026

On3's Crain and Cone think the Cats have one of the 10 hardest schedules next year. And I am inclined to believe them. There are no breaks after week 4, and the bye week comes at the end of October to allow for a small reprieve.

Can Will Stein and his staff navigate being a first-time head coach against one of the hardest schedules in the country? He believes so.

"Why not us?...Let’s go, cut it loose, and let’s make sure that we’re in a position where we can go disrupt this league and make it interesting. And not just make it interesting, but go win...I’ve never called a play I didn’t think would score a touchdown; I’m that type of guy. I’m a glass-half-full guy. I’m excited to see where our team’s going to be...Why can’t this be a premier place?"

I think it can, Will Stein thinks it can, and I know a lot of you reading this who crowd Kroger Field every Saturday believe it too. Now, Stein has a chance to put his money where his mouth is against a schedule that is really unkind.