Five of the top seven teams in last week’s Associated Press Top 25 lost Saturday. Kentucky won at Oklahoma.
But the chaos was not enough to move Will Stein’s team into the top 10 of the new poll.
Kentucky moved up three spots from No. 15 to No. 12. UK leapfrogged Missouri, Texas and Alabama, who each lost Saturday, but Georgia, Notre Dame and Indiana all remained ahead of the Wildcats despite their losses.
UK was last ranked this high in the poll when it was slotted at No. 7 on Sept. 26, 2022.
While the No. 13 ranking would have UK just outside a 12-team playoff if the playoff committee matched the AP poll, the Wildcats are tied for first place in the SEC with a 4-1 record in conference play. UK has already won three road SEC games for the first time since 2009.
Kentucky is tied with No. 5 Georgia at the top of the SEC poll. No. 7 Ole Miss and No. 11 Tennessee only have one conference loss but have played one fewer SEC game to date.
UK is an 11.5-point favorite over unranked Vanderbilt this week but the final four games after a Halloween bye week are daunting. Stein’s squad must still play at Tennessee and No. 22 Missouri. It will host No. 20 Florida and Louisville in Kroger Field.
“I’m not really worried about where we’re ranked, what our record is,” Stein said after the 21-13 win at Oklahoma. “It’s all about, how can we improve? This was a big win on the road. Whenever you can win on the road in the SEC, it gives you a lot of confidence.
“I just talk about our process and our ability to double down on what we’re doing for our players. So, not really worried about any standings. I know how quickly that can turn if you don’t take care of business the following week.”
Kentucky moved up five spots from No. 17 to No. 12 in the coaches poll.
This story was originally published October 18, 2026 at 2:07 PM.
Lexington Herald-Leader
Source: www.kentucky.com
