Kentucky checks in at No. 18 in College Football Playoff Top 25

The Kentucky Wildcats have made the board in the first College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings of the season. Mark Stoops’ program checks in at No. 18 overall.

Following a road loss in Starkville, the Wildcats took a fall and find themselves ranked behind both Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Why is that important? The Wildcats need to be ahead of all but a couple of SEC programs to make a New Year’s Six Bowl.

The playoff committee led by Iowa athletic director Gary Barta created the first top 25 from a boardroom in Texas as the college football season winds down. Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart was also present to help the committee pick the top 25.

In the latest AP Poll, Kentucky also found a home at No. 18. However, three-loss Mississippi State was unranked along with Pittsburgh, NC State, Minnesota, and San Diego State.

Not surprisingly, the committee doesn’t have much agreement with the pollsters. Alabama checked in at No. 2 overall in the CFP top 25 while undefeated Cincinnati did not make an appearance until No. 6. It certainly seems like we are on our way to a No. 1 vs. No. 2 clash for the SEC Championship Game in December. Meanwhile, the Group of Five will likely sit out another playoff.

Kentucky needs to win out for those in the Big Blue Nation who are hoping for a potential Sugar Bowl trip. However, the Wildcats will need some help. Luckily, the SEC West still has plenty of games remaining against ranked foes.

More carnage and shuffling will happen. In football, teams are remembered for what happens in November.

CFP Top 25

1.) Georgia

2.) Alabama

3.) Michigan State

4.) Oregon

5.) Ohio State

6.) Cincinnati

7.) Michigan

8.) Oklahoma

9.) Wake Forest

10.) Notre Dame

11.) Oklahoma State

12.) Baylor

13.) Auburn

14.) Texas A&M

15.) BYU

16.) Ole Miss

17.) Mississippi State

18.) Kentucky

19.) NC State

20.) Minnesota

21.) Wisconsin

22.) Iowa

23.) Fresno State

24.) San Diego State

25.) Pittsburgh