Kentucky football isn’t exactly the media darling at the start of the 2025 season, but that changes this weekend. With the Wildcats set to face Ole Miss in the very first SEC showdown of the year, the spotlight shifts to Kroger Field on national TV (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).
Naturally, the matchup caught the attention of ESPN’s College GameDay crew. But if Big Blue Nation was hoping for some national love, they didn’t find much of it.
Desmond Howard admitted he expects Ole Miss to win but gave Kentucky credit for keeping it close, predicting the Wildcats would cover the spread. Nick Saban leaned on his SEC experience, saying Lane Kiffin’s high-powered Rebels would simply score too much for Kentucky to keep up. Kirk Herbstreit respected the toughness of the series but stayed safe with the Rebels, while Pat McAfee didn’t hold back, saying:
> “I don’t think this one’s close, even though Kentucky has been a nemesis for them.”
Then came the twist.
NBA star Trae Young — yes, that Trae Young — shocked the panel by going all-in on Kentucky. Once recruited by John Calipari for basketball, the Oklahoma City guard hasn’t forgotten about the Wildcats and took a bold stance that caught everyone’s attention.
“They’ve been Ole Miss’ kryptonite these past few years,” Young said. “Even when Ole Miss has had the better roster, Kentucky always found a way to win. And I’m a big Bob Stoops guy, so I’ve got to roll with Mark Stoops here.”
Young’s pick instantly made him the lone voice of confidence for the Wildcats on the national stage. Now the question is whether he’ll look like a genius or a dreamer once the final whistle blows.
Either way, Kentucky’s shot at upsetting Ole Miss isn’t just about proving Trae Young right — it’s about showing the SEC that Mark Stoops’ program is still a thorn in the side of the league’s top contenders.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
