Everyone in the Bluegrass is so excited to see what Will Stein is capable of in the SEC that many fans are overlooking Kentucky's week-one matchup with Youngstown State. To be fair, most folks expect the typical debut blowout at Kroger Field. However, CBS Sports' Cody Nagel is pumping the brakes on all of the big blue excitement.
Nagel listed out a series of potential FCS upsets this coming season, and the Penguins' visit to Lexington makes an early appearance. He immediately noted that the defeat would be a "buzzkill," for Kentucky... no joke. "Expectations are high after Kentucky landed a top-10 transfer portal class," Nagel went on, "but first-year coaches have learned the hard way that talent alone doesn't guarantee immediate success."
"Kentucky will have the talent edge, but Youngstown State has the quarterback who can make this uncomfortable." While it's still an objective stretch to predict a Youngstown State victory, Nagel may have a point about their secret weapon under center.
Youngstown State May Have an X Factor Under Center vs. Kentucky
The Penguins will trot out Beau Brungard, who is coming into this year boasting the Walter Payton Award from last year. If you aren't familiar, that's essentially the FCS's crowning quarterback achievement.
Brungard logged a staggering 3,234 yards and 26 touchdowns last year, while also adding while adding 1,468 rushing yards and 27 more on the dirt. The dude can do it all, and FCS or not, he'll present a major challenge for Kentucky's defense in the very first week.
Kentucky does have history on their side in this matchup, however, even if just barely.
Kentucky Has History on Their Side Against Youngstown State
The lone historical meeting between the Wildcats and the Penguins came back in 2022. After a 0-0 first quarter, a Will Levis-led Kentucky team went on to rout Youngstown State at home, 31-0. Those Cats were ranked No. 9 at that point, and were arguably at the peak of Mark Stoops' success.
Even without the national reputation that those previous Cats had, Stein's first squad has more than enough firepower to calm any budding worries within the BBN even now.
Kenny Minchey transferring in from Notre Dame offers an equally exciting prospect for Kentucky under center. To boot, Stein's own offensive past, paired with that of coordinator Joe Sloan, will give the visiting Penguins plenty of FBS-level experience to worry about themselves.
Is this the perspective of a Kentucky fan a tad bit jaded by the Wildcats being doubted in the national eye? Perhaps, but it's much more likely that Stein's inaugural roster sinks as a result of their nine-game SEC schedule, if at all.
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