Kentucky's schedule includes 20 percent of the CFP Top 25

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Georgia (4) — Sep 14, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Trevor Etienne (1) jumps over Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Kristian Story (4) during the second half at Kroger Field. Georgia won 13-12. Mandatory Credit: Carter Skaggs-Imagn Images

We all knew that Kentucky’s world in the Southeastern Conference would look different out of a division structure. For the first time since 1991, Kentucky was no longer in the SEC East and would face a schedule much different than normal in 2024 with the league adding Oklahoma and Texas.

The Wildcats did not get a great draw from the league office in year one.

An expected tough slate has played out exactly to expecations. On Tuesday night, the College Football Playoff committed released its first top 25 ranking of the season. Kentucky has faced two top-10 teams and has another one remaining on the schedule. Odds are high that the Wildcats drew three playoff teams in 2024.

3. Georgia
5. Texas
7. Tennessee
16. Ole Miss
22. Louisville

Kentucky has dropped hard fought games to Georgia and Tennessee with one more big test remaining against Texas. The Wildcats went on the road to beat Ole Miss and that will likely be the game that keeps Lane Kiffin‘s squad out of the playoff. Louisville entered the top 25 this week after beating ranked Clemson on the road. South Carolina and Vanderbilt are both knocking on the door. Those two SEC programs face each other this weekend and the winner should enter the top 25.

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The Wildcats are 1-3 against ranked teams with two matchups remaining. The ceiling was likely never super high for this team because of that but that is not the reason this team is having a bad season. Kentucky has played four unranked SEC teams and lost each meeting. Three of those defeats occurred by double-digits. Three of those games were played at Kroger Field.

Kentucky had a tough draw in 2024 but failing to play well against teams in their tier is ultimately what led to the 3-6 (1-6) record heading into the final stretch of the season.