Kentucky football is in the upper half of the SEC vs ranked teams
The SEC is a grind like no other. Year after year, the league produces national champions, NFL stars, and more NCAA tournament bids across sports than almost any other conference. In football, the competition is relentless — and Kentucky has long been seen as a middle-tier program fighting uphill battles against the SEC’s heavyweights.
But there’s one stat that might make even the most seasoned college football fans do a double take. Since 2018, Kentucky owns a 41% win percentage against ranked teams — a figure that ranks higher than several so-called “power programs” in the league.
Here’s the breakdown, according to SEC Numbers Guy:
Kentucky – 41%
Texas A&M – 38%
Tennessee – 38%
Ole Miss – 33%
Florida – 31%
Mississippi State – 30%
Missouri – 29%
South Carolina – 26%
Auburn – 24%
Arkansas – 16%
Vanderbilt – 7%
Yes, Kentucky’s mark is higher than Florida’s, Tennessee’s, and Texas A&M’s. That’s not to say the Wildcats have been world-beaters — Mark Stoops’ overall record against ranked opponents is still under .500 — but it does reveal something surprising: consistency.
Part of the reason? Kentucky has capitalized on opportunities at home, pulled off key upsets, and been competitive in games where they were heavy underdogs. It’s also a reflection of Stoops’ ability to keep his team mentally prepared for high-profile matchups, even when the odds aren’t in their favor. Up until the last 3 years anyway.
Of course, this metric uses teams’ rankings at the time of the game — not the final polls — which means some wins came against squads that slipped later in the year. Still, you don’t luck into a number like 41% in the SEC without punching above your weight.
So next time someone dismisses Kentucky as a football afterthought, just slide this stat across the table. It might not change the national narrative overnight, but it’s proof the Cats have been tougher against ranked competition than most realize.