Kentucky’s overtime win over LSU could reshape the SEC raceucky’s overtime win over LSU could reshape the SEC race originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Kentucky turned a difficult road trip into one of Saturday’s defining college football results, beating No. 10 LSU 35-34 in overtime.
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The Wildcats’ one-point victory could have consequences for both teams well beyond the final score. LSU entered the game ranked in the top 10, but the loss puts the Tigers at risk of falling out of that group in the next Associated Press poll. Kentucky, which had dropped out of the rankings after a loss to South Carolina, is in position to climb back into the Top 25.
The result also gives Kentucky a much-needed reset. A week after suffering a defeat that knocked the Wildcats out of the rankings, they answered by taking down a ranked SEC opponent in a game that required an extra period. That kind of response can change the tone around a team and give it renewed confidence for the next stretch of the schedule.
The Wildcats did not have the luxury of easing into this game. LSU was the ranked opponent, and Kentucky needed to show it could recover quickly from its previous loss. The 35-34 finish did exactly that, producing a win that makes the Wildcats’ season look different than it did a week ago.
