KSR Today: Mark Stoops and Week 1 of Kentucky's 2024 football season

It’s finally here, Big Blue Nation: Week 1 of the college football season. On Saturday, Kentucky Football will kick off its 2024 season against Southern Miss in Lexington. Kroger Field and its new LED lighting system will host Game 1 and the thousands of fans eager to see the new-look Wildcats. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. Saturday night, with Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, and Cole Cubelic on the SEC Network broadcast.

Before we get to game day, there is a busy Monday and a week of prep ahead.

Mark Stoops’ Week 1 press conference

Monday marks the return of weekly news conferences with Mark Stoops. At noon, Stoops will hold his first Monday press conference of the new season, where he will summarize fall camp and preview the Wildcats’ upcoming opponent. Fans interested in Stoops’ comments can check back here for a replay and stories from the conversation.

Week 1 depth chart coming soon

Moments before Stoops’ Monday press conference, the team will release its first official depth chart of the 2024 season. Around 11:30 a.m., we’ll know the two-deep rotation going into Week 1, including who is expected to start in the season opener next Saturday. Stoops will explain any absences or surprises.

KSR Football Podcast debuts a new format

The KSR Football Podcast debuts its new format on Monday. KSR’s longest-running football podcast will launch its new season in a new time slot, scheduled for Monday afternoon after Stoops’ press conference. You can watch the season premiere live on YouTube (at approximately 1:30 p.m.) or however you consume podcasts.

The show also has a new co-host for the 2024 season. Max Duffy is in for Freddie Maggard, who stepped away last winter, along with Nick Roush, Adam Luckett, and me, Drew Franklin. We’re looking forward to adding Max’s perspective and humor, but we will miss Freddie in the former player chair.

Marks Stoops’ call-in radio show returns

After you listen to the relaunch of the KSR Football Podcast, you can hear Mark Stoops on his weekly call-in radio show. The first UK HealthCare Mark Stoops Call-In Show of the season will air from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on the UK Sports Network.

Take 50% off annual KSR+ subscriptions with the kickoff sale

To celebrate the return of college football, annual subscriptions to KSR+ are half off with the new kickoff sale. Use promo code KICKOFF24 at sign-up to access KSR+ and its message board, KSBoard, for conversations about the season and more.

Kentucky is a heavy favorite against Southern Miss

We have lots to tell you about UK’s first opponent, Southern Miss, as the week goes on. For now, you may be interested in the point spread for Saturday. Kentucky is laying 28 points to the Golden Eagles. The total in the game is 50.5 points.

Also, if you’re into gambling (or KSR silliness), listen to the Fade This podcast with Matt Jones and me. Hit subscribe for us, too.

KSR’s 2024 season predictions

On Sunday, the KSR staff revealed their season predictions for the Wildcats. Fifteen people, fifteen projected records for Kentucky in 2024. See for yourself:

Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, original shows, fan features, and exclusive content.

New high school football rankings drop today

It’s the beginning of Week 1 for Kentucky Football, but Kentucky’s high schools already played opening week games over the weekend. Soon, KSR will release its updated high school rankings for the second week of the season following the first round of results around the state.

Before KSR’s new Top 25 drops, here are the top high school headlines. See last week’s Top 25 here.

– No. 3 Frederick Douglass outruns No. 4 Bowling Green 35-13 in KSR Game of the Week
– No. 1 Boyle County bests No. 20 Lexington Christian in decisive 35-13 win at WKU
– LOOK: Paris High School debuts new orange-colored football field
– No. 9 Corbin defends home field against No. 17 Pikeville 22-7
– No. 2 Trinity rolls No. 15 Bryan Station 28-10 in the season opener

Jasper Johnson to announce his decision on Friday

In high school basketball news, Jasper Johnson‘s decision date is set for this Friday, August 30, according to Joe Tipton of On3. The five-star prospect from Lexington will close his recruitment with a commitment to Kentucky, Alabama, or UNC, with speculation of a Kentucky lead in the final days of the Jasper Johnson sweepstakes. If you read KSBoard, you know the Wildcats made a late charge a couple of weeks ago, and now Mark Pope and his staff feel good heading down the stretch.

Where to find KSR this Week

Matt Jones is in Aspen for the week, so the show is back in the trusty hands of Ryan Lemond and the crew. Today, Matt will attempt to check in from the Rocky Mountains at the beginning of the show, but Ryan will drive the rest of the way with a weekend recap, football excitement, and more.

You can find Ryan, Mario, and me at KSBar and Grille on Monday through Thursday of this week. Tune in from 10 a.m. to noon.

Go Cats.