Mark Stoops, resurgent Kentucky deserve credit for 2025 turnaround

It would be comprehensible in case you wrote off Mark Stoops and the Kentucky Wildcats after a 2-5 begin to 2025 that had the markings of an impending dismissal written throughout it. 

After revitalizing a persistently mediocre program and bringing two 10-win seasons to Lexington, Stoops and the ‘Cats went 4-8 in 2024 and regarded no higher via the primary seven video games of 2025, solely beating Toledo and Japanese Washington. 

Kentucky handed South Carolina its solely Southeastern Convention win of the season up to now and regarded misplaced in opposition to the likes of Georgia and Tennessee. 

Kentucky quietly turning issues round 

However with respect to Stoops, his staff didn’t give up on themselves or their head coach. During the last three weeks, Kentucky is 3-0 (2-0 SEC) and on the doorstep of bowl eligibility. 

The Wildcats’ first SEC win of the season – a 10-3 street win over Auburn – actually wasn’t fairly, nevertheless it acquired Kentucky on the board. The following week, Kentucky rolled over Florida 38-7 earlier than beating a beforehand undefeated FCS squad in Tennessee Tech 42-10 on Saturday. 

Make no mistake: Kentucky hasn’t performed essentially the most vaunted groups in America over the previous three weeks. However the Wildcats have not stopped combating and have confirmed that they will band collectively and win video games. 

Remaining on the schedule is a street journey to Nashville to tackle No. 14 Vanderbilt (8-2) which can nonetheless be enjoying for a Faculty Soccer Playoff berth. However the Commodores are removed from invincible, as losses to Alabama and Texas and an escape over Auburn have proven. 

A street journey to an in-state rival in No. 20 Louisville is one other nice alternative for Kentucky, no matter whether or not or not they take down Vanderbilt. The Cardinals are now not combating for a CFP bid after a shocking loss to Clemson on Friday, and in a rivalry sport, something can occur. 

No matter how the ultimate two video games of 2025 play out, Kentucky remains to be within the combat and has accomplished a pleasant job of bouncing again after a begin to the season that would solely be described as lower than inspiring.