Kentucky football back to receiving votes in latest AP Poll Top 25

For the first time since the beginning of November, Kentucky football is back in the national conversation.

On Sunday afternoon, the Associated Press released its Week 14 Top 25 rankings. After getting knocked out of the receiving votes category following a 49-21 loss to Alabama back on Nov. 11, Kentucky (7-5; 3-5 SEC) has wiggled its way back in to close out the regular season. After taking down previously No. 9 ranked Louisville on Saturday 38-31, the Wildcats are now receiving four points in the Week 14 AP Poll, good enough for 33rd overall in the country.

As a result of the Governor’s Cup loss, Louisville dropped six spots to No. 15. You can view the entire Week 14 rankings update below.

BREAKING: College Football AP Poll🚨https://t.co/8MAM8CaetX pic.twitter.com/lhoTJgeDx9

— On3 (@On3sports) November 26, 2023

Week 14 AP Poll Top 25

1. Georgia
2. Michigan (+1)
3. Washington (+1)
4. Florida State (+1)
5. Oregon (+1)
6. Ohio State (-4)
7. Texas
8. Alabama
9. Missouri (+1)
10. Penn State (+1)
11. Ole Miss (+1)
12. Oklahoma (+1)
13. LSU (+1)
14. Arizona (+2)
15. Louisville (-6)
16. Notre Dame (+1)
17. Tulane (+1)
18. Iowa (+2)
19. Oklahoma State (+2)
20. Liberty (+2)
21. North Carolina State
22. Oregon State (-6)
23. Toledo
24. James Madison
25. SMU

Others Receiving Votes: Tennessee 98, Clemson 57, Kansas St. 41, Utah 40, Troy 7, Kansas 6, New Mexico St. 5, Kentucky 4, Memphis 1, North Carolina 1, Miami (OH) 1.

Updated ESPN rankings/analytics

With updated national polls come fresh analytical projections. Following this weekend’s action, ESPN updated both its Football Power Index (FPI) and SP+ rankings.

The win over Louisville did wonders for Kentucky’s FPI ranking. The Wildcats moved up seven spots to No. 34 in the country while the Cardinals dropped two spots to No. 22. According to the FPI, UK finished the 2023 regular season with a strength of record ranking of 36th overall and the 18th toughest schedule in all of college football.

As for the SP+ rankings, Kentucky moved up a single spot from No. 33 to No. 32. The Wildcats are now rated as having the nation’s 43rd-best offense, the 34th-best defense, and the 39th-best special teams unit. UK will now await to learn its postseason bowl game fate, which will be revealed a week from today on Sunday, Dec. 3.