Where Kentucky stands in new top 25 polls and power rankings

After starting the 2021 season with a 2-0 record, the Kentucky Wildcats are starting to garner some much-deserved attention.

In the preseason, Kentucky was not ranked and was not considered in the ‘others receiving votes’ category of the first AP Top 25 Poll while getting several votes in the Coaches Poll.

Following their SEC opener win over the Missouri Tigers, the Wildcats earned the eighth-most votes (50) in the Coaches Top 25 Poll, which essentially means they’re the 33rd-ranked team.

As for the AP Top 25 Poll, Kentucky earned the 14th-most votes and is effectively ranked 39th in the nation.

As for power rankings, the Wildcats have found their way into ESPN’s new top 25 following the second week of the season. The Wildcats are ranked No. 23, just ahead of Auburn and Michigan.

After jumping out to a 14-point lead against Missouri, the Wildcats found themselves in a battle. But, after the teams traded touchdowns throughout the final three quarters, the early touchdowns paid dividends as Kentucky outlasted the Tigers 35-28. Chris Rodriguez Jr. had a career day rushing the football, racking up 206 yards and three scores in the victory. A key matchup with the Florida Gators in three weeks now looms large for Kentucky.

Kentucky also checked in at No. 23 in the latest CBS Sports Power Rankings.

For the second straight week, Kentucky’s offense went over 500 yards, the first time in program history they have started the season with two-straight 500-yard games.

Wan’Dale Robinson went over the century mark for the second straight game, becoming the first wide receiver at Kentucky to do so since Jeff Badet in 2016.

With Chattanooga in Week 3, Kentucky will look for a final tuneup before heading on the road for their first road game of the season in Columbia (SC) to face the South Carolina Gamecocks.

AP Top 25 Poll

1. Alabama
2. Georgia
3. Oklahoma
4. Oregon
5. Iowa
6. Clemson
7. Texas A&M
8. Cincinnati
9. Ohio State
10. Penn State
11. Florida
12. Notre Dame
13. UCLA
14. Iowa State
15. Virginia Tech
16. Coastal Carolina
17. Ole Miss
18. Wisconsin
19. Arizona State
20. Arkansas
21. North Carolina
22. Auburn
23. BYU
24. Miami-Florida
25. Michigan

Others Receiving Votes: UCF 111, TCU 103, Liberty 52, Michigan State 44, USC 39, Indiana 34, LSU 31, Kansas State 30, Nevada 28, Oklahoma State 27, Texas 23, Maryland 14, Pittsburgh 13, Kentucky 13, Stanford 10, Utah 9, Boston College 8, Arizona 6, Texas Tech 2, Fresno State 2, Toledo 2, Army 1

Coaches Top 25 Poll

1. Alabama
2. Georgia
3. Oklahoma
4. Oregon
5. Texas A&M
6. Clemson
7. Iowa
8. Cincinnati
9. Florida
10. Notre Dame
11. Ohio State
12. Penn State
13. UCLA
14. Iowa State
15. Virginia Tech
16. Ole Miss
17. Wisconsin
18. Coastal Carolina
19. North Carolina
20. Auburn
21. Arizona State
22. Oklahoma State
23. BYU
24. Arkansas
25. Michigan

Others Receiving Votes: Miami 137; Southern California 99; Central Florida 65; Michigan State 63; Liberty 63; Texas Christian 57; Pittsburgh 52; Kentucky 50; Utah 41; Texas 36; Kansas State 28; Indiana 28; Louisiana State 26; Boston College 22; Nevada 18; Fresno State 13; Southern Methodist 10; Rutgers 10; UL Lafayette 9; San Diego State 9; Mississippi State 9; Army 9; Tulane 6; Maryland 6; San Jose State 5; NC State 5; Virginia 4; Marshall 4; Stanford 3; Air Force 3; Texas-San Antonio 1; Memphis 1; Boise State 1.