The Southeastern Conference has finally made the long-anticipated move to a nine-game conference schedule. For fans, it means more heavyweight SEC clashes and fewer cupcake weekends. But for athletic departments, the ripple effects are hitting hard—especially in Lexington, where Kentucky football is suddenly staring at a costly scheduling mess.
Why This Is a Problem for Kentucky
Along with the new nine-game setup, the SEC is requiring every team to face at least one opponent from a fellow Power 4 league each season. For the Wildcats, that’s already covered by the annual Governor’s Cup showdown with Louisville. That leaves only two slots for the traditional “buy games”—matchups against smaller programs that Kentucky pays to visit Kroger Field.
Here’s the kicker: Kentucky’s 2026 schedule is overloaded. They currently have four non-conference games lined up—Louisville, Kent State, Youngstown State, and South Alabama. One of them has to be cut, and canceling won’t come cheap.
Breaking Down the Options
Kent State: The Golden Flashes signed a deal worth $1.6 million to come to Lexington. That’s one of the priciest buyouts in college football. Scrapping this matchup would mean flushing a mountain of cash.
Youngstown State: On paper, this looks cheaper—Kentucky agreed to pay $575,000 for the Penguins’ visit. But there’s a personal twist: head coach Mark Stoops grew up in Youngstown, and the game carries sentimental weight. Canceling would sting far more than just financially.
South Alabama: The financial terms haven’t been made public, but this game may be the most likely to get axed. Even then, the Jaguars won’t walk away for free—Kentucky will almost certainly owe them a sizable check.
Paying Teams Not to Play
For decades, SEC schools like Kentucky have shelled out millions to bring in smaller opponents for early-season tune-ups. But thanks to the league’s scheduling shake-up, the Wildcats now find themselves in a bizarre new world: paying teams not to show up.
It’s a problem no fan sees on Saturday afternoons, but one that athletic directors, boosters, and accountants feel deeply. With overbooked schedules and contracts already inked, Kentucky football’s million-dollar headache is only beginning.
