Kentucky football expected to play in Duke's Mayo Bowl

Get your coffee ready, folks. It’s beginning to sound more and more likely that Kentucky football will play in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl next month.

According to KSR’s Matt Jones, he’s hearing that the Wildcats are “almost certain” to participate in the 2023 Duke’s Mayo Bowl against an ACC opponent — likely either the Duke Blue Devils or Virginia Tech Hokies — depending on how this weekend’s conference championship games play out. We’ll know for sure when postseason bowl games are announced this Sunday.

After finishing with a 7-5 regular season record that was capped off by a massive win over in-state rival Louisville, Kentucky is preparing to play in its eighth consecutive postseason bowl game.

Hearing Kentucky is almost certain to play in Charlotte for the Dukes Mayo Bowl

Their opponent is likely to be is Duke or Virginia Tech, depending on games this weekend

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) December 1, 2023

This season will mark the 22nd annual Duke’s Mayo Bowl (previously known as the Belk Bowl) and it will once again be held in Charlotte, NC. It is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 27 at the Bank of America Stadium and will broadcast on ESPN. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. EST.

Kentucky recently played in this bowl game back in 2019 when it was known as the Belk Bowl. Led by Lynn Bowden at quarterback, who ultimately was named MVP of the game, the Wildcats took down Virginia Tech 37-30 thanks to Bowden’s last-second touchdown pass.

Could we see another Kentucky-Virginia Tech matchup in 2023? Or will the Wildcats take on a Duke team that just lost its head coach to Texas A&M? Regardless, there could be a tub of mayonnaise coming Mark Stoops’ way in the future.