Former Alabama quarterback says Tide will face SEC sleeper who will be a a ‘handful’ this fall

Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama tight end Kaleb Edwards (81) runs after making a catch against Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

ESPN’s Greg McElroy feels Alabama football will play against a Kentucky team looking to put up a fight on Sept. 12.

The Wildcats will host the Tide to open up SEC play this fall. Kentucky will be led by first-year head coach Will Stein, who grabbed attention at SEC Media Days when he said his confidence in himself is why he believes he will have success leading Kentucky.

“I think because of me, to be honest,” Stein said at SEC Media Days when he was asked why he believes he can win at Kentucky. “Because of me. I think I know what it takes. I’ve seen it at the highest levels. I know what it takes to recruit at this level. You’ve just got to believe, man. You’ve just got to put the ball down and play.”

Stein’s confidence appears to have impressed McElroy.

“Kentucky is going to be a handful,” McElroy said on the SEC Network after day one of SEC Media Days. “I’m not suggesting that they’re competing at the top of the league just yet. I’m not saying that Will Stein is going to wave the magic wand and this is Indiana 2.0. That’s an unfair comp. But what I do know is that he has tremendous confidence in his process. He obviously has great resources. With the guys they were able to go out and get in the portal- two-year starter along the offensive line from Ohio State, multi-year starter from Tennessee, multi-year starter from Baylor- bringing experience. They went out and got Kenny Minchi from Notre Dame, who is really, really coveted in the portal, and I think he just is looking at this thing and saying, man, we can do it here, and his belief and confidence and his own ability to assess and put together a team gives me belief that they’re going to be a really tough out this year. I don’t know if they get to the bowls, I don’t know if they win eight or anything like that, but I could promise you this team will be much more competitive.”

The last time Alabama played against Kentucky was in 2023 when the Tide beat the Wildcats 49 to 21.