The No. 21 Kentucky Wildcats welcome the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks to Kroger Field in Lexington, K.Y., Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Miami (Ohio) at Kentucky odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Wildcats are coming into this season with Mark Stoops as their fearless leader again. He has led the Cats to 6 straight bowl games and 4 straight bowl game victories.
Kentucky will again be led by QB Will Levis, who is projected to be a top-5 quarterback prospect. Levis transferred in from Penn State last season and immediately started for the Cats. He’ll captain a squad with high expectations.
As for Miami, it’ll be returning QB Brett Gabbert, who had 26 touchdowns to 6 interceptions last season, leading the Redhawks to a 7-6 record in the MAC.
The Redhawks lost their only game to a Power-5 program 31-26, a defeat at the hand of Minnesota early in the season. Kentucky is No. 21 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
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Miami-Ohio at Kentucky odds
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Miami (Ohio) +470 (bet $100 to win $470) | Kentucky -650 (bet $650 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Miami (Ohio) +14.5 (-115) | Kentucky -14.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 54.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Miami (Ohio) at Kentucky picks and predictions
Prediction
Kentucky 35, Miami (Ohio) 14
Money line
PASS.
No value in the -650 favorite, and I wouldn’t predict Miami-Ohio to come out on top.
Against the spread
BET KENTUCKY -14.5 (-105).
Kentucky played 3 non-Power 5 programs last season and won 2 of them by more than 30. It did get a close scare from Chattanooga, a game the Cats ended up winning by 5.
Levis will be the best player on the field, and his dual-threat nature should give Miami issues.
The Redhawks do have experience with Gabbert, but they lost WR Jack Sorenson, who had over 1,400 yards last season. They’ll have a few receivers from last season able to step up, but it’ll be difficult to that hole.
Considering Sorenson’s absence and how Levis played against lower competition last season, I’ll take the home side to win by more than 2 touchdowns.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 54.5 (-115).
I don’t like this number, but I would prefer the Under. Kentucky went over 35 in just 5 games last season.
It has a strong returning offense, but it put up some duds last season. The Cats also allowed just 21.6 points per game, the 26th fewest of 130 programs. They’ll be returning key starters on that side of the ball as well.
The impact of Sorenson’s absence is also unknown. He had double the amount of receiving touchdowns as the 2nd-highest Redhawk, so losing Gabbert’s top weapon could impact their offense.
Also going against a tough Kentucky defense will not do them any favors. Given there’s no preseason in college, I expect some sloppiness as well.
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