Kentucky football faces tough schedule with seven ranked opponents

The AP Top 25 preseason poll released on August 18, 2026, revealed that Kentucky football will contend with seven ranked opponents in the upcoming season. The Wildcats, already facing a challenging schedule, are tied with Arkansas and Texas for the most ranked matchups among Power Four programs. Their opponents include Texas A&M, Oklahoma, LSU, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisville, and Missouri. Additionally, three unranked teams on their schedule received votes: Florida, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt, while Youngstown State and South Alabama did not receive any votes. This schedule solidifies Kentucky's reputation as one of the toughest in college football.

• 2:33 AMYahoo Sports — AP Top 25 poll adds more weight to UK football schedule