Kentucky: 2026 Week 12 recap

Kentucky's 7–2 record masks a sharp turn downward: a 2.3-point rating drop following a 34–6 loss to Tennessee in Week 10 left the Wildcats at 8.3 overall and ranked 41st by GIE. The blowout exposed offensive brittleness—a 22.6% red-zone touchdown rate and 42.5% third-down conversion rate reveal an attack that stalls when it matters most. The model projects 8.675 expected wins for the season, suggesting Kentucky is tracking ahead of their underlying efficiency. This week's home matchup against Florida offers a chance to stabilize, though the playoff window has effectively closed: GIE gives them essentially zero chance at a postseason berth.