Kentucky non-conference schedule includes some bottom feeders

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New Mexico State — (Photo courtesy of Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Kentucky football is almost back.

Before that moment comes, week zero will be played this weekend. Preseason top 25s are everywhere to go along with award lists and All-American picks. However, the top teams are not the only programs in college football being ranked.

ESPN senior writer Ryan McGee has one of the most entertaining weekly rankings of the season by categorizing the worst teams in college football. The humorous column ranks the worst teams in college football weekly. To begin the 2021 season, two of Kentucky’s opponents make an appearance.

ULM begins Kentucky’s season

The Warhawks of Louisiana-Monroe call the Sun Belt home, but this is a program that has only gone bowling once in program history, and head coach Matt Viator was fired after finishing 0-10 last season. Before that, the Warhawks flirted with bowl eligibility in both 2018 and 2019.

McGee slots ULM at No. 6 overall in the bottom 10 pointing out that former Auburn head coach Terry Bowden and almost former Alabama head coach Rich Rodriguez will be running the show in Monroe.

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The Warhawks are perhaps the least talented team in college football and play 11 consecutive games this season thanks to a Week 2 bye. All signs point to this being a long season at Malone Stadium as Bowden attempts to rebuild this program.

rich-rodriguez-stepping-in-at-ulm-as-terry-bowden-tends-to-father — Can Rich Rodriguez’s offense get ULM out of the bottom 10? (Photo courtesy of Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

New Mexico State could be in rough shape come November

Former Kentucky Wildcat Doug Martin is in year nine as the head coach of New Mexico State, but the Aggies appear headed to a rough season. The only FBS team to play in the spring, NMSU was routed by Tarleton State and squeaked by Dixie State. Those teams sound like they came from central casting for a cheesy college football movie.

NMSU checks in at No. 2 overall in McGee’s rankings and this could be a very long year for the Aggies. Kentucky won’t see this program until November, but that game comes a week after a matchup in Alabama.

Godspeed, New Mexico State football.