A challenging week for Top 25 teams

kirk-herbstreit-reveals-first-college-football-playoff-predictions-georgia-alabama-ohio-state-cincinnati-michigan-state-oklahoma — Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Kentucky wasn’t the only Top 25 program to suffer a loss this week. In fact, nine of the Top 25 teams in the country lost yesterday.

After a bye week, Kentucky was defeated by Mississippi State, 31-17, on the road this weekend with an all-around disappointing showing.

Two straight losses on the road

Mississippi State, on the other hand, played arguably their best game this season, handling the ‘Cats on both sides of the ball to result in the 14-point win.

This brings Kentucky’s record against Mississippi State on the road to six straight losses, with fans’ hopes of snapping another streak this season lost.

Tough week at the top

Kentucky was among plentiful company this week, joining eight other AP Top 25 teams to lose on Saturday; no. 6 Michigan, no. 9 Iowa, no. 10 Ole Miss, no. 17 Pittsburgh, no. 19 SMU, no. 20 Penn State, no. 21 San Diego State, and no. 22 Iowa State all took losses, as well.

Kentucky was one of nine AP Top 25 teams to lose this week:

6. Michigan
9. Iowa
10. Ole Miss
12. Kentucky
17. Pittsburgh
19. SMU
20. Penn State
21. San Diego State
22. Iowa State
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) October 31, 2021

Of these teams, Kentucky, Iowa, Pittsburgh, SMU, San Diego State and Iowa State lost to unranked opponents. Thus, Kentucky becomes a member of this week’s upset club.

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Iowa takes the award for worst loss this week, losing by 20 points to unranked Wisconsin in a 27-7 loss. The remainder of the losses in the Top 25 this week were to ranked opponents.

This brings the list of undefeated teams down to six in the entire NCAA, with Georgia being the only undefeated team left in the SEC.

What comes next

After a loss at Georgia on October 16th, followed by a bye week and a loss at Mississippi State, Stoops and co. have to be wondering where “New Kentucky” football has gone.

Kentucky is ranked No. 18 in the AP Top 25 poll this week heading into a home game against Tennessee, another unranked opponent. Momentum is necessary heading into next week’s matchup against UT, a longtime rivalry reignited with Kentucky’s win in 2020.

Misery does love company, and we have eight other programs to mourn with until next Saturday.

Here’s to getting our mojo back.