Kentucky Wildcats, Will Stein Can Become Playoff Contenders In Year 1

Kentucky Wildcats, Will Stein Can Become Playoff Contenders In Year 1

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Kentucky Wildcats, Will Stein Can Become Playoff Contenders In Year 1

The Kentucky Wildcats could solidify themselves as a dark horse contender not just in the SEC but in all of college football.

Kentucky already beat Texas A&M and played the Alabama Crimson Tide tough in the first half, as the Wildcats are exceeding expectations in the first year of the Will Stein era.

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The Wildcats hired Stein as their head coach after he served as the Oregon Ducks’ offensive coordinator. Already, Stein has helped turn around Kentucky’s offense, and now he has a chance to prove they are more than an SEC doormat, as they have been in recent years.

Kentucky is set to host the LSU Tigers, who aren’t a team I’m too high on. Sam Leavitt isn’t the answer at quarterback, but Lane Kiffin continues to roll him out, which hinders their offense.

LSU’s defense has also struggled, and star linebacker Whit Weeks is out due to an injury, which could allow Kentucky to pick apart the Tigers’ defense.

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Kentucky is led by quarterback Kenny Minchey, who is solid, while the run game has had some issues. However, Stein is an offensive guru who should have a great game plan to have success.

If the Wildcats can pull off the upset home win over LSU, it would be a statement win and could also make Kentucky a playoff contender. Kentucky has just one loss this year, which is to Alabama, who could be the No. 1-ranked team if they beat Georgia.

The Wildcats’ schedule, meanwhile, does ease up, as their tough games are on the road against Tennessee and Missouri, while at home against Florida. All three of those teams are fringe playoff contenders, and if Kentucky beats LSU, they could very well be favored in all three.

Ultimately, the Will Stein era is off to a great start as he’s already exceeded expectations in Year 1.

Will Stein The Right Guy at Kentucky

Oct 3, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Will Stein directs his team against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Kentucky has struggled in recent years, but in Year 1 of Will Stein, the Wildcats are looking like actual contenders.

The Wildcats’ offense is the real deal, and ahead of their home game against LSU, Stein has full confidence in his group.

“We’re fighters. We play really hard. We play connected as one,” Stein said during Wednesday’s SEC coaches teleconference. “We’ve obviously been through a lot, honestly, since I’ve gotten here. We’ve had ups and downs, and we’ve just found a way. …

“We’re not perfect by any means. We’ve still got a lot of growth to do throughout the course of this season, but I do know our guys are the right people. They have the right mindset and makeup to go win football games in this league. So again, we got to continue to improve and embrace this grind. That is the SEC, but I know my guys fight.”

If Kentucky can go out and beat LSU on Saturday, the Wildcats will prove they are the real deal. Yet, it will be a tough game as the Tigers are a top-10 team for a reason.

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This story was originally published by Lindys Sports on Oct 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Lindys Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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