No. 15 Kentucky continues underdog run with win over Oklahoma

Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Kenny Minchey. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

No. 15 Kentucky continues underdog run with win over Oklahoma

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Oct 17, 2026 11:37 PM ET

For the second time in three weeks, the No. 15 Kentucky Wildcats hit the road as a ranked underdog against an unranked opponent.

The first time was in Week 4 when the Wildcats escaped Columbia with a 35-34 overtime win against South Carolina. The second time was Saturday against the Oklahoma Sooners, and Kentucky once again proved why it should stop being disrespected this season.

Kentucky once again wins as an underdog

Kentucky wasn't just a small underdog on Saturday, but rather a 6 1/2-point underdog despite being ranked No. 15 in the country. The Wildcats proved why the wrong team was favored Saturday as they came away with a 21-13 win over the Sooners.

It was the Kentucky defense that was the highlight of the night, forcing Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer to throw three interceptions, including two on the final two Oklahoma possessions of the game.

The Wildcats are now 6-1 (4-1 SEC) on the season and have won three consecutive SEC games for the first time since the 2018 season. It's the first time they've won three straight road conference games since the 2009 season.

Additionally, with the stunning loss to Georgia on Saturday, Kentucky is in sole possession of first place in the SEC with a conference record of 4-1.

Stormed Norman. pic.twitter.com/oC3ZblUsFN
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) October 18, 2026

This is the first time Kentucky football has won 3 SEC road games since 2009 (at Auburn, Georgia, and Vanderbilt).

Last time Kentucky won 3 SEC road games that didn't include Vanderbilt was 1977, when the Cats went 10-1 with a 6-0 conference record.
— Ben Jones (@BW_Jones) October 18, 2026

Kenny Minchey did enough for Kentucky

Kentucky didn't get a monster game from its quarterback, Kenny Minchey, but he did enough to get the job done. Minchey completed 21-of-28 passes for 156 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers.

A lack of turnovers has been a constant for Minchey this season, as he has just one interception in 178 pass attempts. He does not have a fumble either, which is a big reason for the Wildcats being one of the surprise teams in all of college football.

.@kenny_minchey + @w_rodriguez10 = TOUCHDOWN

- SEC Network pic.twitter.com/lcRBACuE96
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) October 18, 2026

Kentucky has a real path to the College Football Playoff

When taking a look at the Wildcats' remaining schedule, there is an extremely legit path to the CFP. Kentucky will play Vanderbilt in Week 7, a game in which it should have the advantage in and come away with a win.

After that, the final four games are against Tennessee, Florida, Missouri and Louisville. The game against Tennessee is on the road at Neyland Stadium, and that will undoubtedly be the toughest game of the rest of the season.

Even with a potential loss to Tennessee, Kentucky still has a very possible path to 10-2, and with the chaos that the season has brought, that could very well be enough to get to the SEC Championship.

The Wildcats will certainly be a team to keep an eye on down the stretch as they attempt to reach a conference championship game for the first time.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

More must-reads: