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Kentucky Football is a “Dark Horse” in the SEC According to Kirk Herbstreit

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Kirk Herbstreit of ESPN's 'College GameDay' speaks during the broadcast.
© Alex Martin/USA TODAY NETWORK

Tailgating, Dr. Pepper Fansville ads, and College Gameday are some of the staples of college football. Nothing is better than turning on your TV in the morning and watching Lee Corso put on a mascot head of the supposed primetime game-winner.

You really know college football season is upon us when College Gameday starts airing on ESPN on Saturdays. On the first College Gameday episode of the year, each of the analysts was asked to name a “dark horse” winner of the SEC.

Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, and Pat McAfee were the ones given this task. To begin, Howard named the Texas A&M Aggies as his SEC “dark horse” team, followed by McAfee who went with the Tennessee Volunteers as his answer. However, Herbstreit’s response came as a surprise to many.

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Who does Kirk Herbstreit think is a “dark horse” candidate to win the SEC this season? None other than the Kentucky Wildcats.

“Again, Mark Stoops has a team every year that is going to be physical, they’re going to bring a chip on their shoulder,” Herbstreit said. “This year I think they can be better with Coen there, with Leary coming in. Look out for ole UK.”

While Herbstreit has consistently given Kentucky football respect, especially as of late, it was quite a surprise to see Kentucky among some of the top teams in the SEC. Although they are certainly not the consensus favorites to win the conference, clearly some people think Kentucky at least has a shot.

Maybe, just maybe, 2023 can be the year that the Kentucky Wildcats shock the world. On December 2nd, perhaps a new king of the SEC will be crowned. According to Kirk Herbstreit, there’s at least a chance for that dream to become a reality.

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Mark Stoops Responds to Retirement Rumors, “Zero Percent Chance I Do That”

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Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops responds to retirement rumors amidst disappointing season. "Zero percent chance I do that."
Jordan Prather | Imagn

To say there is unrest in the Kentucky Football fanbase would be an understatement. With a 3-6 record overall, and 1-6 in the SEC (15th out of 16) things look bleak, and there is still a quarter of the season to go. Considering the regression from the previous two seasons as well, it’s difficult to be optimistic about the future.

Over the last few weeks, rumors have circled that head coach Mark Stoops has considered retiring at the end of the season. Optics wise it makes sense, his older brother Bob Stoops surprisingly retired from Oklahoma at just 56, and Mark, now 57, has expressed a desire to spend more time with his children.

At his weekly press conference, Stoops was asked directly if there is any chance that he would walk away from Kentucky and retire at the season. To which he responded, bluntly:

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“Zero percent chance I do that. Next question.”

Mark Stoops is still owed more than $44 million on his contract. That’s A LOT of money to leave on the table and is the reason that the decision will be Stoops’ to make, as Kentucky cannot afford the buyout.

If Stoops holds true to his word and returns next season, NIL fundraising efforts may be the most difficult it has been for him. However, he hopes it sparks motivation to donate.

“I’ve seen it at other SEC schools,” Stoops said. “I want to stay away from that. I really get tired of — I don’t want to be like I am whining, I am crying. It is reality. You have to have dollars.”

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National College Football Personality Calls Out Kentucky Football Program, “They’re Spiraling Out of Control”

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College football personality Paul Finebaum calls out Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats for poor season. "They're spiraling out of control."
Saul Young | Imagn

From hope to despair, that has been the tale of the 2024 Kentucky football season.

Entering the season with what many believed was one of Mark Stoops’ most talented rosters, at least on paper, to a 1-6 record in the SEC and most likely missing a bowl game for the first time since 2015.

“Kentucky seems like they’re spiraling out of control,” longtime SEC radio personality Paul Finebaum said this weekend.

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Yet, it’s not just this season. The regression has been apparent since Kentucky won 10 games in 2021. Rather than taking the next step, the program seems to have taken two steps back. They are just 4-7 against Florida, Missouri, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt, all programs that Kentucky was consistently beating. Even more embarrassing, they are just  2-11 in its last 13 SEC home games.

“I know some people have blamed it on injuries,” Finebaum said. “But, I don’t go that way. I just think there’s a malaise in that program that’s been there for almost two years. I’m not overly optimistic it’s going to be corrected.”

You can call Mark Stoops a victim of his own success, but in the last three seasons he has not met the expectations that he has set, nor the potential that his rosters have had.

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Grammy Nominated Music Star Has Credit Card Stolen, Thief Buys 15 Hotdogs at Kentucky Football Game

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A Kentucky football fan stole music artist Noah Kahan's wallet at an airport and purchased 15 overpriced hot dogs.
Piet Levy | Imagn

Not a lot of good things came from Kentucky’s 24-10 loss to Auburn on Saturday, but one fan did get FIFTEEN (yes, 1-5) hot dogs courtesy of Grammy-nominated folk-pop artist Noah Kahan.

To clarify it was not a gift, rather the fan stole Kahan’s wallet at Laguardia Airport in New York City. Of all the places for it to venture to, it was Kroger Field.

“The guy who took my wallet went to a Kentucky football game last night,” Kahan shared on social media. “I just know that Mofo bought 15 overpriced hot dogs.”

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Kahan has found comedy in the situation, despite having hundreds of dollars in hot dogs purchased on his dime.

“Come on dawg we gotta be collaborative in our spending!! Check with me first,” Kahan shared.

Kahan headlined Railbird Music Festival in Lexington this past summer. Maybe the next time he is in town, he can get a hot dog of his own.

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