1952 Cotton Bowl Classic was the sixteenth installment of the Cotton Bowl Classic. The game featured the Kentucky Wildcats of the Southeastern Conference and the Texas Christian Horned Frogs of the Southwestern Conference. Texas Christian (6-4 entering the game, 5-1 in the Southwestern) was ranked #11 in the AP poll prior to the game. Kentucky (7-4, 3-3 SEC) had been ranked as high as #6 in the AP poll during the season but was ranked #15 entering the game.