The wait is finally over, Kentucky football enters the first game week of the Will Stein era as they get ready to host Youngstown State on Saturday. It has been a long offseason and everyone is interested to see the new-look Wildcats. Since we have finally made it, I will give my game-by-game predictions for the 2026 season.
Week 1: Youngstown State
The Penguins are no slouch with quarterback Beau Brungard, who won the Walter Payton award a season ago which is essentially the Heisman trophy of the FCS level. However, the talent gap is too large for the Wildcats to be on upset alert. I believe Coach Stein will have his offense humming in week one to show the big blue nation what to expect under his leadership.
Prediction: Win
Week 2: Alabama
It seems the coaching staff knows how monumental
this game could be for the future of the program, and Alabama has shown weaknesses early on in the season and away from Bryant-Denny Stadium under Kalen DeBoer. Kentucky has a lot of newness, but the Crimson Tide have plenty of roster turnover as well with redshirt freshman quarterback Keelon Russell, who will get his first road start in Kroger Field. Kentucky has a talented roster if they can stay healthy in certain spots, and you don't get much healthier than week two and I believe the Cats shock the college football world.
Prediction: Win
Week 3: at Texas A&M
I actually believe the Aggies take a bit of a step back from last season overall. However, traveling to College Station in week three after what I expect to be a four quarter battle against Alabama... I don't see an upset happening here as this is one of the toughest games on the Kentucky schedule.
Prediction: Loss
Week 4: South Alabama
Kentucky gets a bounce back game after a tough start on the road in week three. South Alabama is probably the worst team on the schedule and the Wildcats will roll.
Prediction: Win
Week 5: at South Carolina
This will be a hostile crowd at Williams-Brice Stadium, and this is a massive game not only for Will Stein but for Shane Beamer as well. Truly one of the biggest games on the schedule and a series that Stein needs to flip back in Kentucky's favor. Kentucky is the healthier team right now and I think they get a huge win on the road.
Prediction: Win
Week 6: LSU
Lane Kiffin brings his LSU Tigers to Lexington in week six, and I would expect a high scoring football game. Kiffin has been spooked and played some close games against the Wildcats while he was at Ole Miss. I think Kentucky can make them sweat a little bit, but not enough to come away with the win.
Prediction: Loss
Week 7: at Oklahoma
The trip to Norman is the toughest game on Kentucky's schedule in my opinion. Oklahoma has the best defense the Wildcats will see this season, and the Sooners' offense has some explosive elements as well. I don't like this spot for Kentucky whatsoever.
Prediction: Loss
Week 8: Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt is another candidate to regress from their incredible season in 2025. They recently named Blaze Berlowitz the starter at quarterback, but how long until they see what they have in five-star true freshman Jared Curtis? I think this is the easiest conference game for the Wildcats and they pick up a much needed win heading into the bye week.
Prediction: Win
Week 10: at Tennessee
This would be much more interesting if it was in Lexington, but another shootout type of game as Stein will try to match the firepower of the Vols offense. I have some questions about Tennessee on the defensive side, as a couple of season-ending injuries to some players on the back seven have hurt their depth and the defensive line is extremely unproven. However, playing on the road at Neyland Stadium has not been kind to Kentucky and I am afraid that continues to be the case.
Prediction: Loss
Week 11: Florida
Talk about a storyline, with the Gators being led by Kentucky alumni Jon Sumrall and longtime Wildcats defensive coordinator Brad White. This will be an exciting game in Lexington. Kentucky shocks the Gators in this one, as Florida will be coming off back-to-back physical games against Georgia and Oklahoma.
Prediction: Win
Week 12: at Missouri
This is a tricky one that could be a let down spot for the Wildcats, after a nice win against the Gators and before a heated Governor's Cup rivalry. Eli Drinkwitz is a great coach and weird things happen on the road in CoMo. Kentucky gets their fifth loss of the season.
Prediction: Loss
Week 13: Louisville
Another game with incredible storylines, as two former Trinity high school quarterbacks lead their teams in their first ever meeting in the Governor's Cup. Which team comes in closer to full strength will likely determine the outcome of this game. However, you know this game means a lot to Coach Stein and other staff members with Louisville ties; I think the Wildcats take the trophy back and finish the first year of the new regime with a 7-5 record.
Prediction: Win
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky football 2026 game-by-game predictions
