Kentucky Wildcats football is projected to play in the Cure Bowl against East Carolina in 2026. This comes as new head coach Will Stein prepares for a challenging season with the second-hardest schedule in college football.
Mentioned in this story
New Kentucky Wildcat head coach Will Stein makes remarks as he is introduced at Kentucky on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Getting to a bowl game in 2026 would be great for the Kentucky Wildcats, especially as they get set to face the second-hardest strength of schedule in college football this year.
Will Stein is set to lead the Wildcats in his first season as their head coach. With such a tough schedule, winning six games would be a major accomplishment and a huge jumpstart to, hopefully, a new and prosperous era in Lexington and Kentucky Football.
Played in Orlando, Florida, the Cure Bowl was first played in 2014. Kentucky has won two bowl games in Orlando at Camping World Stadium, with both of those wins coming in the Citrus Bowl.
Kentucky beat East Carolina back in 2008 at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, a game best remembered for Ventrell Jenkins running back a 57-yard fumble return for a touchdown that featured a nasty stiff arm.
Of note, the Pirates’ backup quarterback in that game was Joe Sloan, who is now Kentucky’s offensive coordinator.
Last year, the Pirates went 9-4 with a Military Bowl win in head coach Blake Harrell’s first season. If Kentucky wins nine games in Will Stein’s first season, the hype train will be gaining a ton of momentum.
Kentucky football is projected to play in the Cure Bowl against East Carolina in 2026.
Will Stein is the new head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats football team.
Kentucky Wildcats football faces the second-hardest strength of schedule in college football for the 2026 season.
Mark Vientos shines with a homer and double as Mets top Diamondbacks 3-1!
Knicks fan's outburst disrupts tribute to Nick Nurse's late brother
Mitch Marner's first playoff hat trick helps Golden Knights rout Ducks 6-2, taking a 2-1 series lead.
Victor Wembanyama drops 39 points as Spurs take a 2-1 lead over Timberwolves
Chelsea aims to avoid a seventh league defeat against Liverpool at Anfield.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.