The Kentucky Wildcats football schedule for 2025 is out, and it’s packed with exciting matchups. The Wildcats will open the season at home against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels on September 6th. They will then travel to face the Louisville Cardinals on September 13th.
Kentucky will open their SEC schedule on September 20th when they host the South Carolina Gamecocks. They will then travel to face the Mississippi State Bulldogs on September 27th. The Wildcats will have a bye week on October 4th before returning to action against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 11th. Kentucky will then travel to face the Georgia Bulldogs on October 18th.
The Wildcats will host the Missouri Tigers on October 25th before traveling to face the Vanderbilt Commodores on November 1st. Kentucky will then host the Ole Miss Rebels on November 8th before traveling to face the Alabama Crimson Tide on November 15th. The Wildcats will close out the regular season at home against the Louisville Cardinals on November 22nd.
Kentucky Football Season Preview: 2025
Kentucky Football Schedule 2025
The Kentucky Wildcats football team will open the 2025 season at Kroger Field on September 6 against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The Wildcats will then host the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on September 13. Kentucky will then travel to the Swamp to face the Florida Gators on September 20. The Wildcats will have a bye week on September 27.
Kentucky will return to action on October 4 when they host the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Wildcats will then travel to Columbia, Missouri, to face the Missouri Tigers on October 11. Kentucky will then host the Tennessee Volunteers on October 18. The Wildcats will travel to Martin Stadium to face the Washington State Cougars on October 25. Kentucky will then have a bye week on November 1.
The Wildcats will return to action on November 8 when they host the Vanderbilt Commodores. Kentucky will then travel to the Jungle to face the Mississippi State Bulldogs on November 15. The Wildcats will then host the Louisville Cardinals on November 22. The Wildcats will close out the regular season on November 29 when they travel to the Neyland Stadium to face the Tennessee Volunteers.
Kentucky Wildcats Football Schedule 2025
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| September 6 | Western Kentucky | Kroger Field |
| September 13 | Middle Tennessee | Kroger Field |
| September 20 | Florida | The Swamp |
| September 27 | Bye | |
| October 4 | South Carolina | Kroger Field |
| October 11 | Missouri | Faurot Field |
| October 18 | Tennessee | Kroger Field |
| October 25 | Washington State | Martin Stadium |
| November 1 | Bye | |
| November 8 | Vanderbilt | Kroger Field |
| November 15 | Mississippi State | Davis Wade Stadium |
| November 22 | Louisville | Kroger Field |
| November 29 | Tennessee | Neyland Stadium |
Kentucky Wildcats Non-Conference Schedule
The Kentucky Wildcats football team will have a challenging non-conference schedule in 2025. They will face three Power Five opponents, including two on the road. The Wildcats will also host one FCS opponent.
Opponents
The Wildcats’ non-conference schedule is as follows:
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| September 6 | Ohio State Buckeyes | Away |
| September 13 | Murray State Racers | Home |
| September 20 | Eastern Kentucky Colonels | Home |
| September 27 | Alabama Crimson Tide | Away |
Breakdown
The Wildcats’ non-conference schedule is one of the toughest in the SEC. They will face two of the top teams in the country in Ohio State and Alabama. The Buckeyes are coming off a College Football Playoff appearance in 2022, while the Crimson Tide are always a contender for the national championship. Eastern Kentucky is a FCS program that is always competitive, while Murray State is a FCS program that is rebuilding.
Kentucky Wildcats SEC Schedule
Kentucky Wildcats Non-Conference Schedule
The Wildcats open their 2025 season at home against Eastern Kentucky on September 6th. They then travel to face Louisville on September 13th. Kentucky’s other two non-conference games are at home against Miami (OH) on September 20th and against Northern Illinois on September 27th.
Kentucky Wildcats SEC Schedule
The Wildcats open their SEC schedule at home against South Carolina on October 4th. They then travel to face Ole Miss on October 11th. Kentucky’s other SEC games are at home against Mississippi State on October 18th, at Vanderbilt on October 25th, at Georgia on November 1st, at Missouri on November 8th, and at Tennessee on November 15th.
Kentucky Wildcats Game-by-Game Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | TV |
|—|—|—|—|
| September 6th | Eastern Kentucky | Kroger Field | SEC Network |
| September 13th | Louisville | Cardinal Stadium | ESPN |
| September 20th | Miami (OH) | Kroger Field | SEC Network |
| September 27th | Northern Illinois | Kroger Field | SEC Network |
| October 4th | South Carolina | Kroger Field | SEC Network |
| October 11th | Ole Miss | Vaught-Hemingway Stadium | ESPN2 |
| October 18th | Mississippi State | Kroger Field | SEC Network |
| October 25th | Vanderbilt | Vanderbilt Stadium | SEC Network |
| November 1st | Georgia | Sanford Stadium | CBS |
| November 8th | Missouri | Faurot Field | SEC Network |
| November 15th | Tennessee | Neyland Stadium | ESPN |
Kentucky Wildcats Home Games 2025
The Kentucky Wildcats will play seven home games during the 2025 season. The home schedule includes matchups against several Power Five opponents, as well as a pair of FCS foes.
Non-Conference Games
The Wildcats will open the 2025 season at home against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels on September 6. Eastern Kentucky is an FCS program that competes in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Kentucky will also host the Louisville Cardinals on September 13. The Cardinals are an ACC opponent and one of the Wildcats’ biggest rivals.
SEC Games
The Wildcats will play six SEC games at home in 2025. The home SEC schedule includes matchups against:
- Mississippi State Bulldogs (September 20)
- Vanderbilt Commodores (October 4)
- Georgia Bulldogs (October 18)
- Missouri Tigers (November 1)
- Tennessee Volunteers (November 15)
Georgia Bulldogs
The Georgia Bulldogs are one of the top teams in the country and are the defending national champions. The Bulldogs will be a tough test for the Wildcats, but Kentucky will have the home-field advantage.
The Bulldogs are led by quarterback Stetson Bennett, who won the Davey O’Brien Award in 2021. Georgia also has a strong defense, led by linebacker Nolan Smith, who was a consensus All-American in 2021.
| Date | Opponent | Time | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 6 | Eastern Kentucky | TBD | TBD |
| September 13 | Louisville | TBD | TBD |
| September 20 | Mississippi State | TBD | TBD |
| October 4 | Vanderbilt | TBD | TBD |
| October 18 | Georgia | TBD | TBD |
| November 1 | Missouri | TBD | TBD |
| November 15 | Tennessee | TBD | TBD |
Kentucky Wildcats Away Games 2025
Florida Gators
The Wildcats will travel to Gainesville to face the Florida Gators on September 6, 2025. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2018.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Kentucky will head to Columbia to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks on September 20, 2025. The Wildcats have not played in Columbia since 2015.
Tennessee Volunteers
The Wildcats will face the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville on October 4, 2025. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2023.
Vanderbilt Commodores
Kentucky will travel to Nashville to face the Vanderbilt Commodores on October 25, 2025. The Wildcats have won four of the last five meetings with the Commodores.
Louisville Cardinals
The Wildcats will conclude their away schedule with a trip to Louisville to face the Louisville Cardinals on November 29, 2025. Kentucky has won two of the last three meetings with Louisville.
| Away Game | Date |
|---|---|
| Florida Gators | September 6 |
| South Carolina Gamecocks | September 20 |
| Tennessee Volunteers | October 4 |
| Vanderbilt Commodores | October 25 |
| Louisville Cardinals | November 29 |
Kentucky Wildcats Key Matchups
The Kentucky Wildcats will have a challenging schedule in 2025, with several key matchups that will likely determine their success or failure in the season. Here are some of the most important games on their schedule:
No. 6: Florida Gators
The Wildcats will travel to Gainesville to face the Florida Gators on October 11th, 2025. This will be a huge game for Kentucky, as the Gators are one of the top teams in the SEC East. Florida has won 12 of the last 17 meetings between the two teams, and they will be looking to extend their winning streak in 2025. The Wildcats will need to be at their best to pull off an upset in this one.
Here is a table of the last 5 meetings between Kentucky and Florida:
| Date | Location | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 10, 2022 | Gainesville, FL | Florida | 38-29 |
| September 11, 2021 | Lexington, KY | Kentucky | 20-13 |
| September 26, 2020 | Gainesville, FL | Florida | 34-10 |
| September 14, 2019 | Lexington, KY | Florida | 29-21 |
| September 8, 2018 | Gainesville, FL | Florida | 28-27 |
Kentucky Wildcats 2025 Football Schedule
The Kentucky Wildcats football team is set to play the following schedule in 2025:
Home games
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| September 6 | Eastern Kentucky |
| September 13 | Ohio |
| September 20 | Ball State |
| October 4 | South Carolina |
| October 11 | Missouri |
| November 1 | Vanderbilt |
| November 15 | Louisville |
Away games
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| September 27 | at Ole Miss |
| October 18 | at Arkansas |
| October 25 | at Tennessee |
| November 8 | at Florida |
| November 22 | at Georgia |
Kentucky Wildcats Potential Breakout Stars
Jalen Geiger, Quarterback
A true freshman in the 2024 season, Jalen Geiger impressed with his play in the spring game. He has a smooth, efficient delivery and makes quick decisions. With Will Levis expected to enter the NFL draft after the 2024 season, Geiger could be in line for a starting role in 2025.
Barion Brown, Wide Receiver
Brown is one of Kentucky’s top recruits in recent memory. The four-star wide receiver has excellent athleticism and speed. He has the potential to be a deep threat and a key target for Geiger in the Kentucky offense.
Travis Tisdale, Tight End
Tisdale is a 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end who is a superb athlete. He has soft hands, runs good routes, and is a willing blocker. Tisdale could blossom into a major weapon for the Wildcats in 2025.
George Pettaway, Jr., Running Back
Pettaway is a physical, hard-running back who is effective in both the running and passing games. He has good vision and is a strong tackler. Pettaway could be the primary back for Kentucky in 2025.
Ashton Porter, Defensive Line
Porter is a powerful, disruptive defensive lineman. He has a quick first step and is excellent at shedding blocks. Porter could be a force on the Kentucky defensive line in 2025.
Keaten Wade, Linebacker
Wade is a rangy, athletic linebacker who is good at reading the play. He has good instincts and is a solid tackler. Wade could be a key member of Kentucky’s defense in 2025.
Kendrick Gilbert, Defensive Back
Gilbert is a talented defensive back who can play both cornerback and safety. He has good speed and athleticism. Gilbert could be a starter in the Kentucky secondary in 2025.
Kentucky Wildcats Top Returning Players
Quarterback
Will Levis is the clear-cut number one quarterback for the Wildcats in 2025. He had a breakout season in 2022, throwing for over 4,000 yards and 36 touchdowns. Levis is a dual-threat quarterback who can also run for yards and touchdowns. He is projected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the country in 2025.
Running Back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. is the leading returning rusher for the Wildcats in 2025. He rushed for over 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2022. Rodriguez is a powerful runner who is difficult to tackle. He is also a good receiver out of the backfield.
Wide Receiver
Kentucky has a number of talented wide receivers returning in 2025. Dane Key is the leading returning receiver for the Wildcats. He had over 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022. Key is a big target who is difficult to cover. He is also very good at making plays after the catch.
Tight End
Jordan Whittley is the leading returning tight end for the Wildcats in 2025. He had over 400 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2022. Whittley is a good blocker and is also a threat in the passing game.
Offensive Line
The Wildcats have a number of experienced offensive linemen returning in 2025. Kenneth Horsey is the leading returning lineman for the Wildcats. He is a three-year starter who is very good at pass blocking.
Defensive Line
The Wildcats have a solid defensive line returning in 2025. Deone Walker is the leading returning defensive lineman for the Wildcats. He had over 40 tackles and five sacks in 2022. Walker is a very good pass rusher who can also stop the run.
Linebacker
The Wildcats have a number of talented linebackers returning in 2025. Jacquez Jones is the leading returning linebacker for the Wildcats. He had over 100 tackles and four sacks in 2022. Jones is a very good tackler who is also good at blitzing the quarterback.
Defensive Back
Kentucky has a number of talented defensive backs returning in 2025. Keidron Smith is the leading returning defensive back for the Wildcats. He had over 50 tackles and three interceptions in 2022. Smith is a very good cover corner who is also good at making tackles.
Special Teams
Kentucky has a number of experienced special teams players returning in 2025. Matt Ruffolo is the leading returning kicker for the Wildcats. He made over 80% of his field goal attempts in 2022. Ruffolo is also a very good punter.
| Position | Player | Year | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | Will Levis | Senior | Madison, Connecticut |
| Running Back | Chris Rodriguez Jr. | Senior | Peachtree City, Georgia |
| Wide Receiver | Dane Key | Junior | Lexington, Kentucky |
| Tight End | Jordan Whittley | Senior | Somerset, Kentucky |
| Offensive Line | Kenneth Horsey | Senior | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Defensive Line | Deone Walker | Senior | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Linebacker | Jacquez Jones | Senior | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Defensive Back | Keidron Smith | Senior | Miami, Florida |
| Kicker | Matt Ruffolo | Senior | Plantation, Florida |
Kentucky Wildcats Coaching Staff Changes
Kentucky has announced several coaching staff changes for the 2025 season. The most notable change is the departure of offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello, who has accepted the same position with the Las Vegas Raiders. Scangarello was with Kentucky for just one season, but he helped lead the Wildcats to a 10-3 record and a berth in the Citrus Bowl.
Other coaching staff changes include the following:
- The promotion of tight ends coach Vince Marrow to offensive coordinator
- The hiring of former NFL coach Matt House as defensive coordinator
- The addition of former Kentucky All-American linebacker Wesley Woodyard as an assistant coach
Vince Marrow
Marrow is a familiar face to Kentucky fans. He has been with the program since 2013, and he has helped develop several NFL-caliber tight ends, including C.J. Conrad and Justin Rigg. Marrow is known for his fiery personality and his ability to motivate his players.
Matt House
House comes to Kentucky after spending the last three seasons as the defensive coordinator at LSU. He has also held coaching positions at Pittsburgh and Florida International. House is known for his aggressive defensive schemes, and he has helped his teams rank among the nation’s leaders in several defensive categories.
Wesley Woodyard
Woodyard is one of the most decorated players in Kentucky football history. He was a consensus All-American in 2009, and he helped lead the Wildcats to a 10-3 record and a berth in the Music City Bowl. Woodyard played 10 seasons in the NFL, and he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the coaching staff.
Kentucky Wildcats Football Predictions 2025
Tennessee Volunteers
Kentucky will open the 2025 season at home against the Tennessee Volunteers. The Volunteers are coming off a 9-4 season in 2024 and are expected to be a contender in the SEC East in 2025. Kentucky has not defeated Tennessee since 2011, but the Wildcats will be looking to break that streak in 2025.
Akron Zips
Kentucky will host the Akron Zips in its second game of the 2025 season. The Zips are coming off a 2-10 season in 2024 and are not expected to be a major threat to Kentucky in 2025. The Wildcats should be able to win this game easily.
Vanderbilt Commodores
Kentucky will travel to Nashville to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores in its third game of the 2025 season. The Commodores are coming off a 3-9 season in 2024 and are not expected to be a major threat to Kentucky in 2025. The Wildcats should be able to win this game easily.
UNLV Rebels
Kentucky will host the UNLV Rebels in its fourth game of the 2025 season. The Rebels are coming off a 5-7 season in 2024 and are not expected to be a major threat to Kentucky in 2025. The Wildcats should be able to win this game easily.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Kentucky will travel to Columbia to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in its fifth game of the 2025 season. The Gamecocks are coming off a 8-5 season in 2024 and are expected to be a contender in the SEC East in 2025. Kentucky has not defeated South Carolina since 2010, but the Wildcats will be looking to break that streak in 2025.
Missouri Tigers
Kentucky will host the Missouri Tigers in its sixth game of the 2025 season. The Tigers are coming off a 6-6 season in 2024 and are not expected to be a major threat to Kentucky in 2025. The Wildcats should be able to win this game easily.
Ole Miss Rebels
Kentucky will travel to Oxford to take on the Ole Miss Rebels in its seventh game of the 2025 season. The Rebels are coming off a 10-3 season in 2024 and are expected to be a contender in the SEC West in 2025. Kentucky has not defeated Ole Miss since 2018, but the Wildcats will be looking to break that streak in 2025.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Kentucky will host the Mississippi State Bulldogs in its eighth game of the 2025 season. The Bulldogs are coming off a 9-4 season in 2024 and are expected to be a contender in the SEC West in 2025. Kentucky has not defeated Mississippi State since 2017, but the Wildcats will be looking to break that streak in 2025.
Georgia Bulldogs
Kentucky will travel to Athens to take on the Georgia Bulldogs in its ninth game of the 2025 season. The Bulldogs are coming off a 13-1 season in 2024 and are expected to be one of the top teams in the country in 2025. Kentucky has not defeated Georgia since 2013, but the Wildcats will be looking to break that streak in 2025.
Louisville Cardinals
Kentucky will host the Louisville Cardinals in its tenth game of the 2025 season. The Cardinals are coming off a 7-5 season in 2024 and are not expected to be a major threat to Kentucky in 2025. The Wildcats should be able to win this game easily.
Kentucky Wildcats Football Schedule 2025
The 2025 football schedule for the University of Kentucky Wildcats has not yet been officially released.
Once released, fans can expect the following details:
- Dates and times of all regular season games
- Home and away opponents
- Location of all games
Kentucky is a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and their schedule will include all 14 SEC games as well as three non-conference games. The Wildcats will play two of their non-conference games at home and one on the road.
The Wildcats will open the 2025 season with a home game against the University of Louisville on September 6. They will then travel to face the University of Florida on September 13 and the University of Alabama on September 20.
Kentucky will face the University of Tennessee on October 4, the University of Mississippi on October 11, the University of South Carolina on October 18, and the University of Vanderbilt on October 25. The Wildcats will have a bye week on November 1. They will then face the University of Missouri on November 8, the University of Georgia on November 15, and the University of Louisville again on November 29.
People Also Ask
What teams are on Kentucky’s football schedule in 2025?
The University of Louisville, the University of Florida, the University of Alabama, the University of Tennessee, the University of Mississippi, the University of South Carolina, the University of Vanderbilt, the University of Missouri, and the University of Georgia.
When does Kentucky football start in 2025?
September 6, 2025
Where can I find the official Kentucky football schedule for 2025?
Once released, the official schedule will be available on the University of Kentucky Athletics website.
