Pop quiz: Which team, once coached by Bear Bryant, currently leads its Southeastern Conference division? The other, Kentucky, where Bryant coached in the 1940s and ’50s, is tied for first place in the SEC East. Kentucky has not won even a share of the conference title in the last four decades. The last time they finished a season ranked in The Associated Press poll was 1984 — seven coaches ago. Kentucky is one of several college football teams that, two-thirds of the way through the 2018 regular season, finds itself a surprise contender for its conference title and even the College Football Playoff because it leads its division.

Source: New York Times October 30, 2018 09:00 UTC