The Kentucky Wildcats enter the 2025 season looking to rebound from a frustrating 4–8 campaign that left fans restless. Mark Stoops’ squad managed just one SEC win last fall, and the offense limped to the bottom of the league in scoring against Power Five opponents.
With Bush Hamdan entering his second year as offensive coordinator and veteran quarterback Zach Calzada officially named the starter, there’s cautious optimism that things could finally begin trending upward in Lexington.
Now, it’s time
to make some predictions for the 2025 season.
Kentucky Football Game Predictions
Aug. 30 — vs. Toledo
Prediction: WIN (1–0)
Kentucky opens the year at Kroger Field against a dangerous Toledo team that crushed Mississippi State 41–17 last season. The Wildcats enter as a 7.5-point favorite (via FanDuel Sportsbook), but this won’t be a walkover. Calzada should provide stability in his debut, while Kentucky’s defense holds the line against a disciplined Rockets squad. Expect early jitters from the offense, but the Cats survive with a hard-earned win to set the tone.
Sep. 6 — vs. Ole Miss
Prediction: LOSS (1–1)
Last year’s upset win in Oxford still stings Lane Kiffin’s Rebels, and they’ll arrive in Lexington motivated. Gone is Jaxson Dart, now in the NFL, but sophomore Austin Simmons steps in at quarterback. Even with Ole Miss breaking in a new starter, their tempo and depth should eventually overwhelm a Kentucky offense that’s still finding rhythm. The Rebels even the score.
Sep. 13 — vs. Eastern Michigan
Prediction: WIN (2–1)
The Wildcats regroup quickly with a matchup they should control. Eastern Michigan doesn’t have the personnel to match up in the trenches, and this feels like the week Hamdan’s offense finally takes a step forward. Expect a balanced attack and plenty of carries to build confidence before SEC play begins.
Sep. 27 — at South Carolina
Prediction: LOSS (2–2)
Williams-Brice Stadium is one of the toughest environments in the league, and South Carolina brings back key experience. Kentucky’s rebuilt offensive line is still a work in progress, and turnovers in a hostile setting tilt this matchup toward the Gamecocks.
Kentucky has +4000 odds to make the CFP. Check out more odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Oct. 4 — at Georgia
Prediction: LOSS (2–3)
Kentucky has a history of hanging around with Georgia, often losing by just one or two scores. Still, fans can’t forget the 51–13 drubbing in Athens in 2023 or the 30–13 loss there in 2021. With Georgia’s defensive front against a shaky Kentucky line, it’s hard to see this staying competitive for long. Another tough afternoon Between the Hedges.
Oct. 18 — vs. Texas
Prediction: LOSS (2–4)
The Longhorns visit Lexington as one of the SEC’s newest heavyweights. Last year, Kentucky held its own for stretches: Brock Vandagriff, who is no longer with UK, hit Josh Kattus for a touchdown, and true freshman Cutter Boley saw snaps but didn’t find the end zone. If Calzada is still the starter, fans may want to see what redshirt freshman Boley can do in this kind of spotlight. Either way, Texas’ depth wins out.
Oct. 25 — vs. Tennessee
Prediction: WIN (3–4)
Here’s the turning point. Stoops has beaten Tennessee twice before — in 2017 at Kroger Field and in 2020 in Knoxville — but never at home since. That changes this season. With the crowd behind them, the Wildcats finally break the Kroger Field curse and take down the Vols in a statement win.
Nov. 1 — at Auburn
Prediction: LOSS (3–5)
Momentum from the Tennessee win helps keep Kentucky in it early, but Jordan-Hare Stadium in November is a brutal assignment. Auburn’s defense wears down the Wildcats in the second half.
Nov. 8 — vs. Florida
Prediction: LOSS (3–6)
This one could go either way. Florida hasn’t done exactly the best under Billy Napier, but the Gators did handle Kentucky last year. Add in the fact that this game falls in early November, with potentially chilly Lexington weather, and things could get interesting. Still, if Florida’s quarterback DJ Lagway is healthy, he should make just enough plays to steal a road win.
Nov. 15 — vs. Tennessee Tech
Prediction: WIN (4–6)
A breather at the perfect time. Kentucky dominates start to finish, giving backups and young talent a chance to shine.
Nov. 22 — at Vanderbilt
Prediction: WIN (5–6)
This might be the swing game of the year. Kentucky and Vanderbilt often play tight battles, but the Wildcats’ depth and defensive line should be enough to secure a critical win in Nashville.
Nov. 29 — at Louisville
Prediction: LOSS (5–7)
This game could determine whether Kentucky reaches a bowl. At 5–6, the stakes are simple: beat your rival and go bowling, or lose and stay home for a second straight year. Unfortunately for Big Blue Nation, Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm will have his team ready, and he may deliver Louisville’s first home victory over Kentucky since 2014, which would end an 11-year streak of Kentucky winning at Louisville. It’s also worth noting that the Cards have twice kept the Cats from making a bowl, which came in 2014 and 2015 to send Kentucky into the offseason at 5-7.
Final Outlook
The road is brutal, but progress is visible. Kentucky closes at 5–7, an improvement from last year’s 4–8 mark. The highlight? Finally beating Tennessee at Kroger Field, a win that would energize the fanbase despite another year without a bowl.
To reach the next level, the Wildcats must find more consistency on offense and continued growth along the offensive line.
For now, 5-7 feels like the right prediction, with one monumental victory that could serve as a building block for what’s ahead.
How many games do you think the Cats will win? Let us know in this week’s Kentucky Reacts poll down below and in the comments section!
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