On Wednesday, it was reported that Kentucky football will begin their season in Week 0 starting in 2027. That means it will be football time in the Bluegrass one week earlier than normal.

Not only is that the case, but the decision can become very beneficial for Stein and his team. Why is that so? Let’s dive in to it.

Week 0 has been notorious for not having a great slate of games. Take this season for example — There are only eight games and it looks like the matchup between North Carolina and TCU is the best quality game on that day. Next season, Kentucky will immediately enter the spotlight when they play in Week 0 as one of the few games even being played. They will be the highest quality team on television placed right in front of an audience full of desperate-for-football college football fans. A major national spotlight and the fanbase gets to see their team earlier than ever.

Kentucky will open the 2027 season with Murray State (in Week 0) before taking on Eastern Illinois in 2028 during Week 0 as well.

Not only does it give the Wildcats an earlier start, but it will give them a much-needed extra BYE week during the season. When programs opt-in to playing in Week 0, they are rewarded with an extra BYE. With the move to a nine-game SEC schedule — which begins this season — that extra week off is going to be extremely beneficial for regrouping and healing from a brutal weekly conference slate.

This season, Kentucky doesn’t get an extra bye week since they aren’t starting in Week 0. The Wildcats will have to face Alabama, Texas A&M, South Carolina, LSU, Oklahoma and Vandy before ever getting their first break in the season.

Out of those first five powerhouse games, three will be on the road. That will make Kentucky’s path even tougher this season but it just proves more that the move to playing in Week 0 is a great one. With that nine game SEC slate every year, combined with the Louisville clash, getting that extra break is crucial. The Wildcats have the fourth-hardest schedule in the country this season and in hindsight, it would’ve paid off even more to begin in Week 0 this season.

But, that’s ultimately not the case and Kentucky will make that move next season. It may be a trickle effect with others also doing it in the future, but as of now, Kentucky will be one of the few power conference teams playing in Week 0 and it will benefit them in more ways than one.