Saturday, September 5, 2026. Kickoff 1 p.m. ET on SEC Network+ (streaming only).
Will Stein coaches his first game at Kentucky against Youngstown State, an FCS playoff team from a year ago. It is the Wildcats’ second meeting with the Penguins, after a 2022 game in Lexington, and the calm before a brutal two week stretch: Alabama at Kroger Field next Saturday, then a trip to Texas A&M.
| Kickoff | 1 p.m. ET · noon CT · 11 a.m. MT · 10 a.m. PT |
| TV | None. Streaming only. |
| Streaming | SEC Network+ in the ESPN app (requires a TV provider login that includes SEC Network) |
| Venue | Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky |
| Line | Most books do not post FCS games. Where a line exists, Kentucky is favored by roughly four touchdowns. |
Prediction and Odds
Youngstown State went 8 and 5 last season with an FCS playoff appearance and comes in with a Week 0 game already played, which usually helps an FCS visitor early. But Kentucky has a new staff, a new offense under coordinator Joe Sloan, and a roster built to run over a Missouri Valley defense. Expect Stein to keep the game plan vanilla with Alabama on deck and still win by four scores.
Our pick: Kentucky 38, Youngstown State 10. Kentucky wins comfortably.
Why This One Matters
It is the first look at Stein’s Kentucky and quarterback Kenny Minchey with the games counting. The Wildcats face Alabama and Texas A&M in the next two weeks, so this is the only tune up they get. Youngstown State collects a guarantee check and heads into a Missouri Valley schedule that includes South Dakota State and North Dakota.
How to Watch Without Cable
SEC Network+ cannot be bought on its own. It is included with any provider that carries SEC Network, so Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream and Sling with the sports add on all work through the ESPN app. Details in our streaming guide.
The Bottom Line
Youngstown State at Kentucky kicks off at 1 p.m. ET Saturday, September 5 on SEC Network+. Kentucky is our pick in Will Stein’s debut. See our Kentucky schedule for what comes next and our live scoreboard for the result.