Kentucky Wildcats is 7-1 on the season, 7-1 against the spread, and holds a power rating of +13.6. Kentucky Wildcats is covering the spread at 60% since the start of last season (12-8), well above the FBS average. The Kentucky Wildcats head to Tennessee next in Week 10.
In Week 8 of 2026 the Kentucky Wildcats Power Rating of +13.6 is 13.6 points above the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. Kentucky Wildcats have logged 3,864 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 5,014 miles, ranking 106th heaviest in the FBS.
Kentucky Wildcats Coaching Staff and Key Players
Head coachWill Stein
TenureFirst season
Offensive coordinatorJoe Sloan
Defensive coordinatorJay Bateman
Offense
Kenny Minchey QB, DJ Miller WR, Willie Rodriguez TE, CJ Baxter RB, Jovantae Barnes RB, Nic Anderson WR
Defense
Mi'Quise Humphrey-Grace DL, Tavion Gadson DL, Sam Greene EDGE, Grant Godfrey LB, Terhyon Nichols CB, Ty Bryant S, Elijah Barnes LB, Tavion Wallace LB, Jordan Castell S, Aaron Gates CB, Hasaan Sykes CB
Special teams
Jacob Kauwe K, Thomas O'Hara P
2025 Season in Review
Record5-7ATS5-7O/U7-5
Running totals after each week played. Cumulative, not per week.
After
Record
ATS
O/U
Week 1
1-0
0-1
0-1
Week 2
1-1
1-1
1-1
Week 3
2-1
1-2
2-1
Week 5
2-2
1-3
3-1
Week 6
2-3
1-4
4-1
Week 8
2-4
2-4
4-2
Week 9
2-5
2-5
5-2
Week 10
3-5
3-5
5-3
Week 11
4-5
4-5
6-3
Week 12
5-5
5-5
6-4
Week 13
5-6
5-6
7-4
Week 14
5-7
5-7
7-5
A season record is a record, not a forecast. Blue Chip Analytics'
own research finds that beating the closing line repeats at close to zero from one season
to the next - see
most underrated and
overrated teams. Read the table as what happened, not as what is likely to happen next.
2026 Power Rating Trajectory
Opened +3.9 in the preseason and finished +13.6 after week 8, a move of +9.7 points. High +13.6 (week 8), low +3.9 (the preseason).
PreW8
Kentucky Wildcats SP+ Profile
Offence+25.075 of 138higher is better
Defence+21.237 of 138lower is better
Special teams0.072 of 138higher is better
SP+ is an independent opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, one of the
systems blended into the Blue Chip Analytics power rating rather than a Blue Chip
Analytics number itself. Defensive SP+ measures points allowed, so a lower
figure is a better defence - the rank beside it already accounts for
that.
How Confident Is This Rating?
Sources blended5
Source spread±2.3 pts
HFA measured+3.4 pts
HFA applied+2.7 pts
Source spread is how far apart the independent rating systems are on this team, not a margin of error on our own number. A wide spread means the models disagree, which is itself worth knowing.
The measured and applied home field advantage agree to within 0.7 points here, so smoothing changes little for this venue.
Record Against 2026 Opponents
Regular and postseason meetings, 2016–2025.
Over/under history begins in 2017 and 2020 was shortened by COVID, so game counts vary.
Kentucky hired Will Stein, the former Oregon offensive coordinator, to replace Mark Stoops and bring a more dynamic attack. Stein, a first-time head coach, has the Wildcats at 6-1 overall and 4-1 in SEC play, tied atop the conference standings. The offense has shown explosiveness, scoring 45 points in the opener and averaging over 30 points per game, while the defense under coordinator Jay Bateman has been opportunistic, forcing turnovers in key moments. The team has bought into Stein's aggressive approach, and the results have followed.
Minchey's Maturation at Quarterback
Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey has been the catalyst for Kentucky's offense. After a shaky performance against Alabama where he threw an interception and lost a fumble, Minchey has rebounded with poise. He threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns in the overtime win at South Carolina, then 246 yards and led a game-winning drive against LSU. Against Oklahoma, he managed the game effectively, throwing two touchdowns and avoiding turnovers. His ability to protect the ball and make plays in crunch time has been a major factor in Kentucky's five-game winning streak.
Resilient Defense Steps Up
Despite being gashed on the ground by Alabama and Texas A&M, Kentucky's defense has made crucial plays when needed. The Wildcats intercepted Oklahoma's John Mateer four times, including a 41-yard pick-six by Jordan Castell that sealed the win. Ty Bryant added two interceptions. The secondary, bolstered by Florida transfers Castell and Aaron Gates, has been a strength, while the front seven, led by Mi'Quise Humphrey-Grace and Tavion Gadson, has shown improvement. The defense has allowed 21 points or fewer in three of the last four games, a trend that must continue.
Ground Game Finds Its Stride
Kentucky's rushing attack has evolved into a three-headed monster with CJ Baxter, Jason Patterson, and Jovantae Barnes. Against South Alabama, the trio combined for 386 yards and five touchdowns, the first time since 2020 that three Wildcats rushed for 100 yards in a game. Baxter has been the workhorse, rushing for 123 yards and two scores against LSU, including a 77-yard burst on the first play. Patterson has provided a change of pace, and Barnes adds depth. This balance has taken pressure off Minchey and allowed Kentucky to control games.
What to Watch: Consistency and Health
Kentucky has won five straight, but inconsistencies remain. The Wildcats were outscored 32-0 in the second half against Alabama and managed just 62 yards after halftime. Against Oklahoma, they were held to 230 total yards but won thanks to turnovers. Health is also a concern: the team was without three linebackers, two defensive backs, and a defensive lineman against LSU. As the schedule continues, Kentucky must find a way to put together complete games and stay healthy to maintain its SEC title hopes.
What is Kentucky Wildcats's against-the-spread record in 2026?
Kentucky Wildcats is 7-1 against the spread in the 2026 season, covering 88% of games.
What is Kentucky Wildcats's Blue Chip Analytics power rating?
Kentucky Wildcats holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of +13.6, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
What is Kentucky Wildcats's home field advantage rating?
Kentucky Wildcats's home field advantage rating is 2.7 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
What is Kentucky Wildcats's 2026 win total?
Kentucky Wildcats's consensus regular-season win total for 2026 is 4.5 wins, priced at -150 over and +115 under. This is the betting market's expectation, not a Blue Chip Analytics projection.
How many miles does Kentucky Wildcats travel in 2026?
Kentucky Wildcats travels 5,014 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 106th heaviest in the FBS.
How does Blue Chip Analytics calculate cumulative travel distance?
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
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