Kentucky football receiving votes in first AP Poll of 2023 season

Kentucky football won’t start the 2023 season with a number next to its name.

On Monday afternoon, the Associated Press unveiled the publication’s preseason national rankings for the upcoming college football season. The Wildcats did not crack the Top 25, but did make the “Others Receiving Votes” category with 14 total points, good enough for a ranking of 33rd overall. Just ahead of UK in terms of points received are South Carolina (27th; 73 points) and Arkansas (30th; 22 points). Louisville is right behind the ‘Cats at 34th with 10 points.

Both the AP Poll and Coaches Poll, which was released last Monday, will start this season without Kentucky among the Top 25. UK ranks No. 32 in the Coaches Poll after receiving 34 points. Kentucky’s season opener is set for Saturday, September 2 at Kroger Field against Ball State at noon EST on the SEC Network.

As expected, two-time defending champion Georgia holds down the top spot, followed by Big Ten powers Michigan and Ohio State. Two more SEC programs — Alabama and LSU, respectively — fill out the rest of the top five. In total, six SEC programs cracked the Top 25 with six more receiving votes.

🚨NEW: 2023 Preseason College Football AP Pollhttps://t.co/ufPUffZF69 pic.twitter.com/Zg9Knvtb1n

— On3 (@On3sports) August 14, 2023

You can check out the rest of the AP’s preseason poll below. Numbers in parentheses indicate movement from the team’s final AP ranking following the 2022 season.

1. Georgia
2. Michigan (+1)
3. Ohio State (+1)
4. Alabama (+1)
5. LSU (+11)
6. Southern California (+6)
7. Penn State
8. Florida State (+3)
9. Clemson (+4)
10. Washington (-2)
11. Texas (+14)
12. Tennessee (-6)
13. Notre Dame (+5)
14. Utah (-4)
15. Oregon
16. Kansas State (-2)
17. TCU (-15)
18. Oregon State (-1)
19. Wisconsin
20. Oklahoma
21. North Carolina
22. Ole Miss
23. Texas A&M
24. Tulane (-15)
25. Iowa

Others Receiving Votes

Texas Tech 101, South Carolina 73, UCLA 66, UTSA 64, Arkansas 22, Boise St. 17, Pittsburgh 16, Kentucky 14, Louisville 10, Troy 10, Kansas 10, Auburn 7, Minnesota 6, Toledo 4, Duke 4, Mississippi St. 4, Florida 4, Illinois 3, Baylor 3, Coastal Carolina 3, South Alabama 1, NC State 1, James Madison 1, Liberty 1.