No. 21 Texas (4-2, 1-1 SEC) and Kentucky (2-3, 0-2 SEC) meet tonight in a Week 8 SEC matchup at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky.
Texas enters fresh off a 23-6 win over Oklahoma, a defensive masterclass in which the Longhorns forced three interceptions and limited the Sooners to just 6 points and 260 yards.
QB Arch Manning continues to settle into his rhythm, throwing for 1,317 yards, 12 TDs, and 5 INTs with a 63.0% completion rate. He’s also added 194 rushing yards and 5 TDs on the ground. In last week’s win over the Sooners, Manning threw for 166 yards on 21-of-27 attempts (77.8%) with one touchdown and no interceptions.
WR Parker Livingstone is Manning’s top target, leading Texas with 308 yards and 3 TDs.
The Longhorns’ defense ranks among the nation’s elite — 10th in total defense (260.5 yards per game), 4th against the run (74.3), and 3rd in scoring defense (11.0 points). Texas also sits 8th nationally in turnover margin (+6) and 18th on third downs, allowing opponents to convert only 29.9% of the time.
Offensively, Texas averages 399.7 yards and 28.5 points per game, with a balanced mix of 233.2 passing and 166.5 rushing yards. Penalties remain a weak spot. The Longhorns average 69 yards per game (118th FBS).
Kentucky, meanwhile, is searching for stability after a 35-14 loss to Georgia. QB Cutter Boley threw for 225 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT in the defeat, while RB Seth McGowan managed 44 yards and 7 rushing TDs on the season. WR Kendrick Law has been the Wildcats’ top target with 174 yards and a score.
The Wildcats’ offense ranks near the bottom nationally — 111th in total offense (331.6 yards per game) and 94th in scoring (24.4 points). And they’ve struggled to sustain drives, converting just 40% on third downs (68th). Defensively, they’re 109th overall (402.2 yards per game) and 96th in scoring (27.8 points), allowing 248.6 passing and 153.6 rushing yards per game.
Prediction
Given Texas’s defensive dominance and Kentucky’s offensive issues, the Longhorns should win fairly comfortably, provided they avoid complacency early.
Projected Score: Texas 30, Kentucky 14
How to Watch Texas vs. Kentucky
Kickoff for the Texas vs. Kentucky game is set for 7:00 PM Eastern / 6:00 PM Central at Kroger Field, Lexington, KY.
The game airs live on ESPN and streams on the ESPN app and website.
If you’re a cord-cutter without an active livestreaming plan, you can watch the game for free by taking advantage of free trials from DIRECTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo TV, or YouTube TV.
YouTube TV even offers a 20-minute free preview, without having to register for a trial — if you just want to catch part of the game.
Texas Longhorns vs. Kentucky Wildcats
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern / 6:00 PM Central
Venue: Kroger Field, Lexington, KY
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app and website
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