The Vanderbilt Commodores (3-6, 0-5 SEC) and No. 24 Kentucky Wildcats (6-3, 3-3) meet Saturday. Kickoff rom Kroger Field in Lexington is at noon ET (SEC Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Vanderbilt has lost 5 in a row and has not defeated a power-5 opponent this season. The Commodores dropped a 38-27 decision in a home game against South Carolina last Saturday, failing to cover as 6.5-point underdogs and slipping to 1-4 against the spread over their losing skid.
The Wildcats — 24th in the College Football Playoff rankings — snuck by Missouri 21-17 last week, winning outright as 1-point underdogs. UK is playing at home for the first time since Oct. 15. A lackluster Kentucky offense has been held to fewer than 300 total yards in 3 of its last 4 games and is 14th in the SEC at 341.4 total yards per game.
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Vanderbilt at Kentucky odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 4:43 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Vanderbilt +700 (bet $100 to win $700) | Kentucky -1200 (bet $1,200 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Vanderbilt +17.5 (-112) | Kentucky -17.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 47 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Vanderbilt at Kentucky picks and predictions
Prediction
Kentucky 35, Vanderbilt 14
Moneyline
PASS.
Kentucky should emerge victorious, but there is more leverage to be gained against the spread.
Against the spread
Kentucky won last year’s meeting 34-17 but failed to cover as a 21.5-point favorite after a garbage-time 4th-quarter score by Vanderbilt.
Look for UK to exploit value drives built on 1st- and 2nd-down success, solid defense and likely a couple of takeaways in building and then clocking a 3-score victory. The Wildcats play Georgia next week and may want to put some offensive wrinkles on film. Don’t expect a let-up against a likely-road-fatigued Vandy squad.
BACK KENTUCKY -17.5 (-108).
Over/Under
The weather could be dodgy for this one, but there are some factors making for an Over lean here.
Havoc plays should be expected to loom large, and short-field opportunities could well be impactful in spiraling the score. Vanderbilt’s offense is solid in the red zone and should have some confidence coming off a balanced performance last week.
BACK THE OVER 47 (-108).
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