Big Blue Dispatch
Daily Update • November 4, 2026
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Good morning, Big Blue Nation! Wednesday, November 4.
Yesterday marked Kentucky's unofficial statewide holiday—aka opening night for UK Men's Basketball! No. 23 Kentucky officially kicked off the season with an 85-57 victory over Manhattan at Rupp Arena. While the Cats experienced a slightly rocky start, the Kentucky Kernel recaps how an explosive 32-6 first-half run put the game completely out of reach. A Sea of Blue highlights three key takeaways from the opener, led by Milan Momcilovic's electric 24-point performance (6-of-9 from deep), 10 rebounds from freshman Malachi Moreno in his official debut, and 20 team assists on 32 made field goals.
In football news, file this under "pinch me": the inaugural 2026 College Football Playoff rankings were revealed on Tuesday night, and 7-1 Kentucky debuted at No. 6 in the committee's official standings! Sports Illustrated reports that Kentucky is officially projected in the 12-team playoff bracket, currently slotted to host a historic first-round matchup against Notre Dame at Kroger Field.
Sticking with football, USA Today breaks down Kentucky’s remarkable path under Will Stein, examining how the Wildcats navigate a grueling SEC slate to remain on track for the program's first-ever College Football Playoff berth.
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Go Cats! 🐾
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A Sea of Blue
The Kentucky Wildcats stomped the Manhattan Jaspers on Tuesday night to open the 2026-27 season by a final score of 85-57. The Cats opened the season on a good note.
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On3 — Kentucky Wildcats
Milan Momcilovic caught fire from deep as Kentucky opened the 2026-27 season with a blowout victory. On Tuesday night in Rupp Arena, the No.
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Kentucky Kernel — Sports
No. 23 Kentucky men’s basketball kicked its evening off with an undoubtedly rocky start.
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On3 — Kentucky Wildcats
Last year, college football saw its TV ratings surge and looked to keep the trend going in 2026. On3 is tracking the most-watched games of the season, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel data compiled weekly.
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Google News — Kentucky Wildcats
See photos from Kentucky basketball's season opener vs. Manhattan The Courier-Journal
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On3 — Kentucky Wildcats
Well, that was fun. It wasn’t fun early, but finished really fun, closing out the final 13 minutes of the first half with 41 points to go up 48-22 at the break.
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On3 — Kentucky Wildcats
After three seasons of the 12-team College Football Playoff, the Playoff will expand to 24 teams next season. Now, doubling the field looks to be the move for the 2027-28 College Football Playoff The system will be set up to feature 19 at-large teams and an auto bid for the…
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On3 — Kentucky Wildcats
The first College Football Playoff Rankings of the 2026 season are hot off the press. YOUR University of Kentucky Wildcats are officially in the mix, which means we have some things to discuss.
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A Sea of Blue
It was an incredible day to be a Kentucky Wildcats fan. In any other year, Big Blue Nation would have one thing and one thing only on its mind: The start of college basketball season.
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Google News — UK Football
Kentucky ranks 6th in first College Football Playoff rankings Yahoo Sports
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ESPN — Kentucky Football
Who's No. 1?
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Google News — UK Football
Kentucky ranked No. 6 in initial College Football Playoff rankings WKYT 'Complete Football Team': Josh Heupel has been impressed by Kentucky On3 Tennessee Defense Prepares for Disciplined Kentucky Offense, Kenny Minchey Yahoo Sports Basketball never sleeps in Kentucky.
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Google News — UK Football
Kentucky football is officially projected in the College Football Playoff Sports Illustrated
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On3 — Kentucky Wildcats
The first edition of the 2026 College Football Playoff Rankings were released on Tuesday night, and Kentucky landed inside the Top 10, just as everyone predicted this summer. After hanging their hats at the door, Gus Malzahn and a dozen other members of the CFP Selection…
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Kentucky Kernel — Sports
Kentucky football comes in at No. 6 in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season, the programs first CFP ranking since the Cats were No.
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