As the College Football Playoff kicks off this weekend, Kentucky fans might not have a dog in the fight-but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to watch. In fact, if you bleed blue, you’ve got two very good reasons to tune in: Will Stein and Jay Bateman.
Neither of these names are strangers to the national stage anymore. Stein, Kentucky’s new offensive coordinator, will be calling plays for Oregon.
Bateman, the Wildcats’ incoming defensive coordinator, is running the Texas A&M defense. And while the outcomes of these games won’t change Kentucky’s bowl destination, they could offer a sneak peek into what the Wildcats’ offense and defense might look like in 2026.
Let’s break down what to watch for-not just in terms of wins and losses, but in the kind of football philosophy that could be coming to Lexington.
Will Stein’s Measured Tempo: The “GAS” Package
Let’s start with Stein, who’s bringing a fresh offensive identity to Kentucky. If you’re expecting a non-stop, pedal-to-the-metal tempo attack, pump the brakes.
Stein’s scheme is fast, but it’s also calculated. He doesn’t just go uptempo for the sake of it-he picks his spots.
One of those spots came against Indiana, when Oregon’s offense had been sluggish through its first two drives. With the ball near midfield and only one first down to show for it, Stein dialed up what he calls the “GAS” package-short for “Get Your Ass Set.”
The result? A three-play, lightning-fast touchdown drive that flipped the momentum.
This isn’t just about going fast. It’s about using tempo as a weapon-something Kentucky fans haven’t seen much of over the last decade. And if Stein can replicate that kind of situational explosiveness in the SEC, it could be a game-changer.
Tight Ends Front and Center
One of the more intriguing elements of Stein’s offense is how he uses tight ends-and that should perk up the ears of Kentucky fans. Earlier this week, offensive coordinator Joe Sloan confirmed that getting the ball to tight ends like Willie Rodriguez will be a priority.
If Oregon’s recent tape is any indication, that’s not just lip service. In their last game, the Ducks used two-tight end sets on roughly 75% of their snaps.
Even more telling? Tight ends accounted for 40% of the team’s 28 passing targets in a gritty rivalry matchup.
Kenyon Sadiq, a First Team All-Big Ten selection, has been a key piece of that puzzle. But with three Oregon wideouts potentially returning from injury, it’ll be interesting to see how Stein adjusts.
Does he stick with the tight-end-heavy formula, or open things up more with added receiver depth? Either way, it’s a window into how flexible and matchup-driven his system can be.
Jay Bateman’s Pressure-Cooker Defense
Now let’s flip to the other side of the ball. Jay Bateman, Kentucky’s new defensive coordinator, is already making noise with what he’s doing at Texas A&M.
The Aggies lead the nation in sacks (41) and rank third in tackles for loss (104). That kind of backfield disruption doesn’t happen by accident-it’s the product of a defensive front that knows how to win battles and a coordinator who isn’t afraid to turn up the heat.
That aggressive mindset could be crucial against Miami quarterback Carson Beck. Beck’s got NFL tools, but he’s also shown he can be rattled-like when he threw four picks, including a game-sealing interception, in a loss to Louisville.
So the question becomes: Will Bateman and head coach Mike Elko dial up the pressure even more to force Beck into mistakes? A&M’s defense has been elite at creating chaos behind the line of scrimmage, but they’ve only forced nine turnovers this season-tied for the fewest in the SEC. If they can turn pressure into takeaways, it could be the edge they need in what’s shaping up to be a high-scoring affair.
Third Down Dominance
For Kentucky fans frustrated by the team’s struggles on third down, Saturday’s A&M game offers a glimpse of what could be coming. Under Mark Stoops, the Wildcats haven’t cracked the SEC’s Top 10 in third down defense since 2022. That’s not just a stat-it’s a persistent issue that’s cost them drives, games, and momentum.
Texas A&M, on the other hand, owns the best third down defense in college football. Opponents are converting just 22.7% of the time.
That’s not just good-it’s dominant. And it’s driven by an aggressive mix of pressure packages and tight man coverage, all of which Bateman will bring with him to Lexington.
If you’re watching this game through a Kentucky lens, pay attention to how A&M handles third-and-medium situations. That’s where Bateman’s scheme really shines-disguising coverages, bringing heat from unexpected places, and forcing quarterbacks into bad decisions.
What It All Means for Kentucky
These playoff games won’t show us everything about what Stein and Bateman will bring to the Wildcats, but they’ll give us a solid preview. Stein’s offense is about more than just tempo-it’s about timing, structure, and putting pressure on defenses in ways Kentucky hasn’t consistently done.
Bateman’s defense, meanwhile, is built to attack. It’s aggressive, disruptive, and designed to get offenses off schedule before they can settle in.
So while the scoreboard might not matter for BBN on Saturday, the film certainly does. What you’ll see are two coaches who are already shaping Kentucky’s future-and doing it on the biggest stage in college football.