2024 was a rollercoaster year for Kentucky football fans, and with it came a slew of outlandish opinions and “hot takes” that were far from grounded in reality. As the Wildcats faced challenges on the field, it seemed like everyone had an opinion—many of them wildly off-base. From unrealistic expectations to outright absurd predictions, here’s a look back at some of the most ridiculous takes from the year.
1. “Kentucky Will Win the SEC Championship”
Every year, there’s that one fan or pundit who drinks the Kool-Aid a little too eagerly. This year, some Kentucky supporters were convinced that the Wildcats would not just be competitive in the SEC but would outright claim the championship. Despite an undeniably solid program under Mark Stoops, Kentucky has never been considered a top contender in the SEC, especially when it comes to powerhouse teams like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. This optimistic prediction, based on an underwhelming team performance, was quickly shot down as reality set in.
2. “Devin Leary Will Be the Heisman Favorite”
After the Wildcats secured quarterback Devin Leary from NC State, some fans and analysts were quick to crown him as a Heisman candidate. While Leary was a solid addition, expecting him to leap into the race for college football’s most prestigious individual honor was a stretch. The offensive line struggled, the wide receivers were inconsistent, and Leary himself had moments of brilliance mixed with flashes of mediocrity. The Heisman buzz was, unfortunately, premature at best.
3. “The Wildcats Will Blow Out Rival Louisville”
Every year, the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry brings about a barrage of bold statements, but this year’s take may have been one of the most delusional. Some fans were absolutely certain that Kentucky would steamroll Louisville, despite the Cardinals having one of the best seasons in recent memory. As the game unfolded, Kentucky was reminded that in-state rivalries are rarely as easy as some fans hope. Louisville dominated the matchup, serving as a harsh reminder of the gap that still exists between the two programs.
4. “Mark Stoops Should Leave for a Bigger Job”
Mark Stoops has done wonders for Kentucky football, but there was a surprising narrative this year claiming that he should leave for a “bigger job.” Some fans argued that he had maximized his potential at Kentucky and that it was time for him to move on to a prestigious program. However, Stoops is integral to the Wildcats’ success, and despite a few stumbles in 2024, his stability and leadership are crucial to the future of Kentucky football. The idea that he should leave Kentucky after building it into a legitimate SEC contender was, quite frankly, absurd.
5. “Kentucky is Now an SEC Powerhouse”
Another take that gained traction this year was the idea that Kentucky football had officially ascended to the level of SEC juggernauts like Alabama and Georgia. While the Wildcats have certainly improved under Stoops, claiming that they had become an SEC powerhouse was a massive overstatement. Despite flashes of brilliance, Kentucky still has a lot of room to grow before it can truly compete with the top dogs of the SEC on a consistent basis.
As the year wraps up, it’s clear that while Kentucky football is on an upward trajectory, some of the takes from 2024 were way off the mark. Fans and analysts alike can learn from these wild predictions and take a more grounded approach moving forward. Let’s leave the outlandish hot takes in the past and focus on building a more realistic outlook for the Wildcats in 2025.
