Explore · Settle the Argument

Settle the Argument.

You've already had it. Now go settle it.

Every card here starts with something fans actually say — then runs it against the same canonical Verdict projection that ranks the board. Matchup Central predicts the game. This settles the argument.

The argument everybody has

“Put them through our schedule and see what happens.”

TRADE SCHEDULES

Swap two schedules, same venues, and run both seasons out. Who was carrying a schedule, and who was being carried by one.

Team
Trade with
LOU
Louisville

Manageable schedule of their own · Kentucky's is tough

Was
7-4
On Kentucky's schedule
5-6
-1.5 wins
Expected wins now
5.2
Was
6.7
Where it lands
6+40%
UK
Kentucky

Tough schedule of their own · Louisville's is manageable

Was
5-6
On Louisville's schedule
6-5
+1.5 wins
Expected wins now
6.2
Was
4.7
Where it lands
6+67%
10+1%
Who benefits
Kentucky
+1.5 expected wins

Kentucky picks up a win and a half on Louisville's slate.

Who gets hurt
Louisville
−1.5 expected wins

Louisville gives back a win and a half on Kentucky's slate.

The game that changes everything

Vs Florida

Week 11 · Kentucky's schedule
LOU
Louisville
49%
to win · a coin flip on the number
UK
Kentucky
43%
to win · Florida by 3
6-point probability gap

Louisville is 6 points likelier to win that game than Kentucky. Small on paper. It shows up in the record.

Louisville · toughest games they inherit
At
TAMU
Texas A&M
26%
Vs
ALA
Alabama
26%
At
TENN
Tennessee
27%
9 games on Kentucky's slate they would not have played.
Kentucky · toughest games they inherit
Neutral
MISS
Ole Miss
28%
At
GT
Georgia Tech
40%
At
NCSU
NC State
41%
10 games on Louisville's slate they would not have played.
The record test
Louisville: Record and reality line up · No. 35 strength / No. 44 projected wins
Kentucky: Better than the record will show · No. 45 strength / No. 101 projected wins
The verdict
Turns out the schedule mattered.

Kentucky picks up 1.5 wins on Louisville's schedule while Louisville gives back 1.5. That is the schedule talking, not the roster.

Each team is run through the other's exact schedule, same venues. Head-to-head games between the two are set aside so both slates are the same size. 11 of 12 games modeled. Louisville and Kentucky play each other, so that game is set aside — neither team can inherit itself.

More arguments to settle

2026 Preseason Model · Partial roster evidence · data as of 2026-07-11. QB continuity and verified personnel changes are included. Returning-production and updated coaching data are still pending. Projections are model estimates for analysis, not guarantees.

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