Kentucky’s win at No. 9 Texas A&M already gave fans plenty to celebrate. Then Todd McShay stepped in with a national stamp of approval.
On a recent episode of The McShay Show podcast, the longtime college football analyst said he sees the Wildcats as an SEC team capable of making a surprise push toward the College Football Playoff.
“I’m taking Kentucky,” he said. “I’ve been a Will St-if you can transform Bo Nix at Auburn, turnover-machine, mistake-laden, ball placement-erratic, into that at Oregon?
If you can turn Dillon Gabriel into a third-round draft pick? If you can turn Dante Moore into a guy who just didn’t work out his freshman year, too much going on, whatever, let him sit for a year?
He’s the quarterback whisperer.”
McShay made clear he’s high on Will Stein, and he tied that belief to what Kentucky could become under him. The confidence isn’t just local anymore; when a national voice like McShay starts talking that way, people notice.
“Let’s start big picture, though. I’ve always been a Will Stein fan.
Will Stein was asked, ‘Why is Kentucky going to be something that never has been before?’ I forget the specific question.
‘Why is Kentucky going to be in the College Football Playoff?’ Will Stein was like, ‘Because of me.’
“A lot of (Curt) Cignetti right there. You look at this schedule, you look at the confidence on the offensive side, the confidence at the quarterback position, I’m buying Kentucky. I think Kentucky is going to wind up being one of the big stories of college football this year.”
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Kentucky Earned SEC Respect With A Breakdown Fans Need To See
Cole Cubelics Sunday Takeaways have become a familiar stop for SEC fans looking for a sharper read on what just happened, and Kentucky was part of the conversation after a performance that clearly earned the leagues attention. The former Auburn center, now an SEC Network analyst, has made a niche out of detailed postgame breakdowns, often drilling down by jersey number and pairing the film notes with broader strategic observations.
For Kentucky fans, the appeal is obvious: Cubelics analysis offers a more exact view of where the Wildcats stood in a game like this, beyond the final score and the usual talking points. Since taking over the Sunday Takeaways from Anthony McFarland in 2018, he has built the segment into one of the SECs more useful weekly film sessions, and his latest look at Kentucky is the kind of breakdown supporters will want to see for themselves. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Is Bringing Back A Beloved Game Day Feeling This Weekend
Kentuckys weekend at Kroger Field is shaping up to be as much about program tradition as the matchup itself. With BLUE-WHITE Day on the calendar and Hall of Fame weekend set to honor several former Wildcats, the school is leaning into the kind of game-day feel that reminds fans how much of the programs identity lives in its past as well as its present.
Wilbur Hackett and JoJo Kemp will serve as honorary captains for the South Alabama game, giving the day another familiar face from different eras of Kentucky football. Hackett, one of the first African American players in the SEC, also returned to campus to complete his degree in 2020, a fitting thread for a weekend built around recognition, continuity and the people who helped shape the program. [Read more 🡒]
Kenny Darby Just Gave Kentucky Fans A Reason To Dream
The upset at Texas A&M already had Kentucky fans buzzing, but the way true freshman Kenny Darby responded added another layer to the win. After an early dropped pass, the wideout stayed in the mix and later came through with a touchdown as the Wildcats pulled off a 31-21 road victory over the No. 9 Aggies despite entering as a 16.5-point underdog.
For a program still looking for signs that its passing game can grow into something bigger, Darbys night stood out because it fit the kind of toughness Kentucky has been trying to build around. Coach Will Stein and quarterback Kenny Minchey both pointed to his focus and competitiveness, the sort of traits that matter even more when a young receiver has to shake off a mistake and keep playing like the next throw might be his chance. [Read more 🡒]