Way too early SEC football projection: Where does Kentucky fit in?

The 2025 college football season is shaping up to be a tumultuous one for Kentucky football, at least according to Saturday Down South's David Wasson. With way-too-early predictions painting a bleak 3-9 season for the Wildcats, it's clear that optimism in Lexington is hard to come by.

Key Wins Are Few and Far Between

Wasson predicts Kentucky’s only victories will come against Toledo (Aug. 30) and Eastern Michigan (Sept. 13), both home games against mid-major programs. The third win? Tennessee Tech—hardly a confidence builder. The projection includes a winless SEC campaign, a bitter pill for fans used to seeing competitive seasons under head coach Mark Stoops.

Stoops on the Hot Seat

For the first time in his tenure, there’s serious speculation that Stoops may not last the season. The Wildcats’ inability to stay competitive in conference play and failure to build momentum in recent years could lead to a midseason coaching change. Stoops, who has been a stabilizing force since taking over in 2013, might finally see his tenure come to an end.

The program's struggles in 2024—where the Wildcats finished 4-8—appear to be carrying over into 2025 if Wasson is right.

SEC Brutality

Kentucky’s 2025 schedule is unrelenting. Road games at Florida, Georgia, and Ole Miss, along with a visit from Alabama, leave little room for upsets. Even games against programs like Vanderbilt and Mississippi State, typically viewed as winnable, are now far from certain given Kentucky’s trajectory.

The Broader SEC Picture

The SEC remains as cutthroat as ever in 2025, with powerhouses like Georgia and Alabama maintaining their dominance. Other teams, including Texas A&M, Florida, and even Vanderbilt, are showing signs of improvement, leaving Kentucky in the shadows.

Wasson’s projections for other SEC teams:

• Alabama: 11-1, key wins against Tennessee, LSU, and Auburn.
• Georgia: 11-1, with a statement win over Alabama in September.
• Florida: 8-4, powered by sophomore sensation DJ Lagway.
• Tennessee: 8-4, highlighted by a win over Arkansas.
• Ole Miss: 9-3, including a revenge win at Kentucky.

A Need for Change

If these predictions come true, it could mark the end of an era for Kentucky football. Stoops has achieved remarkable success by elevating the program from perennial bottom-dweller to respectability, but the current trajectory suggests that the Wildcats may need a fresh vision to compete in the evolving SEC landscape.