A win is a win, but in the high-stakes world of SEC football, not all wins are created equal. Kentucky’s 48-23 victory over Eastern Michigan stopped the bleeding after a tough start to the season, but it did little to alleviate the pressure on head coach Mark Stoops.
Last week, following an anemic offensive display, we had the Stoops Hot Seat Meter cranked to a blistering 5 out of 5. After simplifying the offense and securing a comfortable win, where does the meter stand now?
Mark Stoops Hot Seat Meter: 4.5 / 5 (Extremely Hot)
Yes, the offense looked better. Yes, Cutter Boley provided a much-needed spark. But let’s be blunt: it came against arguably the worst team on Kentucky’s entire 2025 schedule. Even in victory, the Wildcats were plagued by pre-snap penalties and center-quarterback exchange issues—the very operational mistakes that cannot happen against SEC competition.
Stoops acknowledged the need to simplify the offense, reducing motion and substitutions to simply get plays run. While it worked against the Eagles, it raises a more concerning question: why was a more complex system installed in the first place if the personnel couldn't execute it? That's a coaching and preparation issue that falls squarely on the head coach's shoulders.
The win against EMU was a prerequisite, not a reprieve. It did nothing to change the calculus for Stoops's future. The season's trajectory will be defined by what happens next.
Fortunately, the schedule provides a perfect opportunity. The upcoming bye week is a godsend, allowing the team to heal and focus entirely on fixing its own procedural issues before preparing for South Carolina on September 27th.
That game in Columbia is now the true measuring stick. It’s a road SEC contest against a team that may be vulnerable. Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers is currently in concussion protocol, and his availability is in serious doubt. A win on the road, regardless of who is under center for South Carolina, would be the first real evidence that this team is heading in the right direction.
A loss, however, would erase any goodwill from the EMU game and turn the heat on Stoops up to critical levels. For now, the meter cools by a half-point, but the pressure remains immense.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoyes downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here.Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion