Kentucky Football falls to No. 17 in updated ESPN Power Rankings

Kentucky Football is coming off back-to-back losses, but it still looks like the ‘Cats will be a top 20 team heading into next weekend’s matchup against Tennessee. Over at ESPN, the worldwide leader updated its college football Power Rankings late Saturday night. After entering the week ranked No. 14, Kentucky dropped to No. 17 following its 31-17 loss to Mississippi State.

Kentucky went to Starkville ranked No. 12 by both the AP and Coaches Polls, which will update later on Sunday. UK will see another drop in those rankings once those are released, although a top 20 ranking still feels likely.

Here’s what ESPN’s Chris Low had to say about the ‘Cats.

What looked like it could be a historic season for Kentucky all of a sudden has the Wildcats facing a two-game losing streak following a 31-17 setback to Mississippi State on the road Saturday. Kentucky turned the ball over four times and scored only one offensive touchdown. The Wildcats led 10-0 early and got a 74-yard punt return for a touchdown by Josh Ali, but were outscored 31-0 over the second and third quarters by a Mississippi State team that outgained Kentucky by more than 200 yards.

Chris Low, ESPN

Kentucky (6-2) will play host to Tennessee (4-4) next Saturday on ESPN2 at 7:00 p.m. EST.

ESPN Top 25 Power Rankings

1. Georgia
2. Michigan State
3. Cincinnati
4. Alabama
5. Oklahoma
6. Oregon
7. Ohio State
8. Wake Forest
9. Notre Dame
10. Michigan
11. Texas A&M
12. Oklahoma State
13. Baylor
14. Auburn
15. Ole Miss
16. UTSA
17. Kentucky
18. Houston
19. Iowa
20. BYU
21. Coastal Carolina
22. SMU
23. Pittsburgh
24. Wisconsin
25. Penn State