Is Western Kentucky a better college football team than Kentucky?
The staff at College Football Network (CFN) seems to think so. In a recent ranking of the 134 FBS teams heading into the 2024 season, Kentucky ranked No. 57 on CFN’s list, three spots behind the Hilltoppers.
Both programs finished 7-5 in the regular seasons in 2023. The Wildcats reached the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, where they fell 38-35 to Clemson after a 28-point fourth quarter comeback by the Tigers.
Western Kentucky won its bowl game by an identical 38-35 score against Sun Belt foe Old Dominion in the Famous Toastery Bowl in Charlotte — what would have been the Bahamas Bowl before stadium renovations forced a temporary venue and name change.
CFN listed several factors for determining its rankings, namely quality of talent. Other factors include a team’s likelihood of competing for a spot in the College Football Playoff, strength of schedule, historical success, roster/coaching continuity and transfer portal activity.
The site explains Kentucky’s spot on their power rankings this way:
“With Barion Brown and Dane Key back, the Wildcats boast one of the fastest offenses in the nation. QB Brock Vandagriff, a high-profile transfer from Georgia, will need to get the ball to them, but he’s a relative unknown with limited on-field experience.
Veteran-laden offensive and defensive lines buoy the roster, and DT Deone Walker, LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson, and CB Maxwell Hairston rank highly — if not lead — at their respective positions in the conference.”
As for Western Kentucky, CFN gives the Hilltoppers the edge based primarily on a less-demanding schedule and the team’s likelihood of challenging for the top spot in Conference USA this season.
“Tyson Helton has led the Hilltoppers to eight or more wins in four out of the last five seasons, and they’re the biggest threat to Liberty in CUSA. Texas State’s T.J. Finley transfers in to man the offense and has the arm talent to mitigate any drop-off from Austin Reed.
Malachi Corley’s departure to the NFL hurts the WR corps, but there are several standout options still available, including Dalvin Smith, Kisean Johnson, and Michael Mathison. While starting the year against Alabama certainly won’t help build confidence, WKU doesn’t have many tough matchups before squaring up against Liberty and Jacksonville State to end the season.”
TCU was ranked one spot ahead of Kentucky at No. 56 on CFN’s list. The Wildcats placed one spot ahead of Jacksonville State, led by former Michigan and West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez.
Louisville was the highest-ranked team in the Bluegrass State at No. 26. The Cardinals won 10 games a season ago and came within a hair of knocking off Florida State in the ACC Championship Game.
Kentucky opens the 2024 season August 31 against Southern Miss at Kroger Field. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. EDT. The game can be seen on SEC Network.
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