The Kentucky Wildcats are set to open their season against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles on Saturday at Kroger Field. Despite optimism from the coaching staff about a strong team with returning players and a revamped offense, the ESPN Football Power Index ranks Kentucky as the 34th-best team, predicting a challenging season with a potential record of 5-7. The Wildcats will be led by new quarterback Brock Vandagriff, aiming to build on their successful nonconference history, having won 21 of their last 22 such games at home. Meanwhile, Southern Miss, coming off a disappointing 3-9 season, struggles with weak offensive statistics and a defense that allowed 35.8 points per game last year. The Golden Eagles have also changed their quarterback, hoping for improvement with Tate Rodemaker, but face tough odds against Kentucky. Both teams are looking to establish their identities as the season begins, with Kentucky aiming to exceed predictions while Southern Miss seeks to bounce back from a rough previous season.