Kentucky was unranked in the 2024 preseason AP Top 25 college football poll, released Monday, Aug. 12.
The Wildcats received a total of three votes for Top 25 consideration from voters. By contrast, Mark Stoops’ program received 12 votes for consideration in last week’s US LBM Preseason Coaches Poll.
Georgia, who the Wildcats will face in the third game of the season on Sept. 14 at Kroger Field, topped the rankings at No. 1. Ohio State was No. 2, followed by Oregon at No. 3, Texas at No. 4 and Alabama at No. 5.
Ole Miss fell just outside the Top 25 at No. 6. Notre Dame (No. 7), Penn State (No. 8), Michigan (No. 9) and Florida State (No. 10) rounded out the AP Top 10.
In addition to Georgia, Kentucky will face two more teams ranked in the preseason top six when they travel to Ole Miss, Sept. 28 at noon ET. The Wildcats will head to Austin on Nov. 23 for their first head-to-head meeting with Texas in over 70 years.
Tennessee, who Kentucky will face Nov. 2 in Knoxville, also made the preseason AP poll at No. 15. Outside the Top 25, Louisville received the most votes for consideration with 111 votes.
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Stoops is entering his 12th season as Kentucky head coach. The Wildcats finished 7-6 a season ago and lost to Clemson in the Gator Bowl, 38-35, to close out the year.
The Wildcats open the season against Southern Miss, Aug. 31 at 7:45 p.m. ET at Kroger Field. The game will be televised on SEC Network.
A look at the full preseason AP Poll:
| Ranking | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia Bulldogs | 1,532 (46) |
| 2 | Ohio State Buckeyes | 1,490 (15) |
| 3 | Oregon Ducks | 1,403 (1) |
| 4 | Texas Longhorns | 1,386 |
| 5 | Alabama Crimson Tide | 1,260 |
| 6 | Ole Miss Rebels | 1,189 |
| 7 | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | 1,122 |
| 8 | Penn State Nittany Lions | 1,060 |
| 9 | Michigan Wolverines | 995 |
| 10 | Florida State Seminoles | 971 |
| 11 | Missouri Tigers | 927 |
| 12 | Utah Utes | 887 |
| 13 | LSU Tigers | 804 |
| 14 | Clemson Tigers | 689 |
| 15 | Tennessee Volunteers | 629 |
| 16 | Oklahoma Sooners | 566 |
| 17 | Oklahoma State Cowboys | 538 |
| 18 | Kansas State Wildcats | 526 |
| 19 | Miami Hurricanes | 492 |
| 20 | Texas A&M Aggies | 292 |
| 21 | Arizona Wildcats | 237 |
| 22 | Kansas Jayhawks | 231 |
| 23 | USC Trojans | 172 |
| 24 | North Carolina State Wolfpack | 171 |
| 25 | Iowa Hawkeyes | 140 |
Others Receiving Votes
Louisville 111, Virginia Tech 77, Boise St. 47, SMU 33, Iowa St. 33, Liberty 32, Washington 23, West Virginia 17, Memphis 16, Nebraska 16, Wisconsin 15, UTSA 6, Tulane 5, Appalachian St. 4, Kentucky 3, Auburn 2, Colorado 1.