Fans who jumped off the bandwagon after Kentucky’s embarrassing Week 2 home loss to South Carolina are now suddenly running to catch up to it following the Wildcats’ historic 20-17 upset win at No. 6 Ole Miss on Saturday.
After UK’s biggest road win since 1977, its 2024 season is suddenly back and track and everything for Cats to have a special year is back on the table.
“I could not be more proud of our team,” head coach Mark Stoops said afterward. “I thought our team grew between Week 2 to Week 3. We came up short but we played a great team. We improved Week 4 and we went out and did what we had to do. The guys kept on fighting. Just proud of our coaches for staying the course. Our coaches stayed the course, our players have stayed the course, and we have gotten better each week. I know It’s one game but it’s important because of the work that’s been going on for a long time. I’m proud for our fanbase, they deserved a win like that. We’ve been close a lot and we were very proud to get the victory.”
Kentucky is right back where everyone thought they would be after five games, essentially swapping a loss to the Gamecocks for a win over the Rebels heading into what appears to be a very favorable stretch of the season.
At 3-2, the Wildcats will now enjoy its first of two bye weeks, where they can not only lick their wounds and rest up but also continue to smooth out the wrinkles in what has been an up and down offense. From there, they will likely be favored in its next three games against Vanderbilt (2-2), at Florida (2-2), and at home vs. Auburn (2-3).
Even at just 3-2 on the year, UK has a resume that stacks up against just about anyone in college football, with a 1-point loss to then-top-ranked Georgia and a win at No. 6 Ole Miss. There are also still remaining opportunities at No. 4 Tennessee on Nov. 2 and at No. 2 Texas on Nov. 23.
Either way, at the near midway point of the season, Kentucky is once again in control of its own destiny.
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