The National Media doesn't seem to think Will Stein and Kentucky will make a Bowl Game

Does Kentucky coach Will Stein have what it takes to make a Bowl Game this season?

Kentucky head football coach Will Stein speaks during a news conference before the start of fall camp in Lexington, Ky., on Aug. 3, 2026. Stein discussed the Wildcats' offseason preparation and the start of preseason practice. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

College football is right around the corner, and the Kentucky Wildcats will get their season kicked off on September 5th against Youngstown State. There is a ton of excitement for this Kentucky football team, knowing that Will Stein, the Wildcats' new head coach, is ready to kick off his career in Lexington. Big Blue Nation feels that Stein is going to be the real deal in Lexington, and fans can't wait.

Stein walks into Lexington at a very tough time, as it is the first season in the nine-game SEC schedule era. The Wildcats have one of the toughest schedules in college football this season as they play seven teams in the Preseason Top 25 AP Poll.

Jul 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Will Stein speaks to the press during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at the Tampa Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Knowing the Wildcats have to play this tough schedule, the national media doesn't seem to have a lot of confidence that the Wildcats are going to make a Bowl Game in year one of the Stein era. ESPN put out an article where two writers predicted each Bowl Game this season, and there was not one mention of the Wildcats. This is just one of many in the college football media that don't believe the Wildcats are going to make the postseason this year.

If the Wildcats are going to step up and win six games this season, Stein is going to need some elite play from his quarterback, Kenny Minchey. During his time at Notre Dame, we didn't see him on the field all that much, so this will be the time Minchey gets the chance to shine. He could be really good for Stein, but the former Notre Dame quarterback has to go out there and prove it.

Coach Will Stein signs stuff for Big Blue Nation at the opportunity to meet the Kentucky Football team during Meet the Team Day at Kroger Field. Aug. 15, 2026 | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Coach Stein does have an elite track record when it comes to developing quarterbacks, and the hope is that he will do it once again with the unproven Minchey. The staff has been very happy with how Minchey has done so far in Lexington, and he is learning the system very quickly. If he has a good year and exceeds expectations, this will give the Wildcats a real shot at making a Bowl Game.

Knowing how tough the schedule is for the Wildcats this season, if they are able to make a Bowl Game, it would be an incredibly successful year one for Stein. Fans are very excited about the future of Kentucky football with Stein at the helm.

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