Kentucky no longer receiving votes in AP, Coaches Top 25 Polls

Kentucky was on the rise the last two weeks. After jumping back into the receiving votes category following a Week 5 road win over Ole Miss, the Wildcats had been trending upward ever since. UK was receiving votes in both the AP and Coaches Polls this time last week. But Saturday’s 20-13 loss to Vanderbilt cost the ‘Cats any goodwill it had with voters.

Following updates to the Week 8 AP and Coaches Polls on Sunday afternoon, Kentucky’s name is nowhere to be found in either. The Wildcats were receiving one point (No. 39 overall) in the AP Poll and 12 points (No. 31) in the Coaches Poll last week, but those votes went elsewhere this time around.

Meanwhile, Vanderbilt is up to No. 26 in the AP Poll and No. 30 in the Coaches Poll thanks to the win over UK.

Kentucky also took a tumble in the advanced stats categories. ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) slid the Wildcats down seven spots to No. 32 overall with just a 49.7 percent chance of reaching the six-win threshold this season. Oddly enough, UK technically still has a chance to win out and reach the College Football Playoff, albeit at a minuscule 0.1 percent. The FPI bumped Vanderbilt up six spots to No. 35.

Sticking with the worldwide leader, Bill Connelly’s SP+ rankings still believe in Kentucky for the time being. The numbers rank UK at No. 23 in the country with the 53rd-best offense, 18th-best defense, and 15th-best special teams unit. Vanderbilt checked in at No. 59 despite back-to-back wins over Alabama and Kentucky.

As for Kentucky’s next opponent, the Florida Gators (3-3), the FPI has Billy Napier’s program sitting at No. 27 while the SP+ puts them at No. 25. UK will hit the road to face Florida on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:45 p.m. EST on the SEC Network. As of Sunday afternoon, UF was considered the slight favorite.

Week 8 AP Poll Top 25

1. Texas
2. Oregon (+1)
3. Penn State (+1)
4. Ohio State (-2)
5. Georgia
6. Miami
7. Alabama
8. LSU (+5)
9. Iowa State (+2)
10. Clemson
11. Tennessee (-3)
12. Notre Dame (-1)
13. BYU (+1)
14. Texas A&M (+1)
15. Boise State (+2)
16. Indiana (+2)
17. Kansas State (+1)
18. Ole Miss (-9)
19. Missouri (+2)
20. Pittsburgh (+2)
21. SMU (+4)
22. Illinois (+1)
23. Army (NR)
24. Michigan (NR)
25. Navy (NR)

Others Receiving Votes: Vanderbilt 68, Nebraska 62, Arizona State 39, Oklahoma 36, Washington State 32, Iowa 29, Texas Tech 18, Syracuse 13, Arkansas 13, Utah 7, Louisville 6, Southern California 5, Liberty 2, UNLV 1

Week 8 Coaches Poll Top 25

1. Texas
2. Oregon (+1)
3. Penn State (+2)
4. Georgia
5. Ohio State (-3)
6. Miami
7. Alabama
8. LSU (+2)
9. Clemson (+2)
10. Tennessee (-1)
11. Notre Dame (+1)
12. Iowa State (+1)
13. BYU (+2)
14. Texas A&M
15. Ole Miss (-7)
16. Missouri (+2)
17. Kansas State (+2)
18. Indiana (+2)
19. Boise State (+3)
20. Pittsburgh (+4)
21. Illinois (+2)
22. Michigan (-1)
23. SMU (+2)
24. Army (+4)
25. Nebraska (+2)

Schools Dropped Out: No. 16 Oklahoma; No. 17 Utah

Others Receiving Votes: Oklahoma 81; Arizona State 49; Navy 37; Utah 31; Vanderbilt 26; Syracuse 13; UNLV 12; Iowa 12; Texas Tech 9; Liberty 9; Washington State 8; Memphis 4; Louisville 4; James Madison 3; Tulane 2