Will Stein’s Kentucky Start: 5-1 After LSU Upset, With Oklahoma Next
Will Stein Kentucky has become a storyline national analysts are tracking. In his first year as the Wildcats’ head coach, Stein has Kentucky at 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the SEC after a win over LSU, with Oklahoma next on Saturday. The record alone would draw attention. How Kentucky arrived there — two straight overtime wins, both sealed by successful two-point conversions — has made the start harder to dismiss.
From Oregon to Lexington
Stein arrived at Kentucky after serving as offensive coordinator at Oregon, where the Ducks reached the College Football Playoff in both 2024 and 2025. That background shaped expectations around him as an offensive-minded coach. His first Kentucky team, though, has leaned on a defense that has absorbed injuries and still produced stops.
Two overtime wins, two gambles
The Wildcats beat South Carolina in overtime, then followed with an overtime win against LSU. In both games, Kentucky went for two and converted. The LSU game matched Stein against another first-year head coach, Lane Kiffin.
Stein described the LSU win as neither pretty nor perfect, and said his team kept chopping and fighting. He called the LSU offense tough to stop, pointing to Sam Leavitt and to the Tigers’ big backs and their passing game. Even so, Kentucky’s defense made what Stein called unbelievable plays and takeaways while dealing with injuries.
Davis on Stein: confidence building
On ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show on October 13, 2026, Rece Davis said Stein has made his presence felt at Kentucky and that the team’s confidence is growing game by game.
Stein has also used outside doubt as motivation. He said he took a of the College GameDay picks, noted that everyone picked LSU, and suggested that people should keep doing that because it gives the team fuel. He added that his players had been counted out and that he was in shock after the LSU win — while still saying he believes this is a really good football team.
Oklahoma up next
Kentucky’s next test comes Saturday against Oklahoma. The Wildcats carry a 5-1 overall record and a 3-1 SEC mark into it, with a defense that has found ways to make plays and an offense that has trusted its two-point calls in overtime.
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