Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kendal Daniels (5) pressures Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) in the first half of the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorn at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025.
SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Texas vs Kentucky Prediction 10/18/2025 Today’s College Football Picks

Pick details

Texas (4-2) vs Kentucky (2-3)

October 18, 2025 at 07:00 PM EDT

The Line: Betting Odds: Kentucky +12.5 — Over/Under: +43.5

(Get latest betting odds)

The Texas Longhorns and the Kentucky Wildcats meet in week 8 college football action from Kroger Field on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Texas Longhorns vs.  Kentucky Wildcats prediction.

Texas Longhorns Recap

The Texas Longhorns come into this game looking to add on to their 23-6 win over Oklahoma last time out to improve to 4-2 this season. After this game, Texas will head on the road for a game against Mississippi State.

Longhorns Looking For Big Showing After Red River Victory

Arch Manning has thrown for 1,317 yards, 12 touchdowns and 5 interceptions on 63% passing while also leading Texas with 194 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns this season. Five more Longhorns have 100+ rushing yards as well on the year while Parker Livingstone has a team-high 308 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns and Ryan Wingo has a team-high 22 grabs for 298 yards and 4 touchdowns as well this season. DeAndre Moore Jr. has 240 receiving yards and Jack Endries has 112 receiving yards as well on the year. On defense, Michael Taaffe has a team-high 41 total tackles including 23 solo tackles and an interception while Jelani McDonald and Graceson Littleton each have a team-high 2 interceptions so far this season. Colin Simmons also has 4 sacks as well on the year. On defense, Texas has combined for 16 sacks and 8 interceptions as a unit so far this season.

Kentucky Wildcats Recap

The Kentucky Wildcats come into this game looking to bounce back from their 35-14 loss at the hands of Georgia prior to last week’s bye week to drop to 2-3 this season. After this game, Kentucky will take on Tennessee at home.

Wildcats Drop Back-To-Back Games

Cutter Boley has thrown for 627 yards, 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions on 57.1% passing while Zach Calzada has thrown for 234 yards and an INT on 47.2% passing. Seth McGowan leads Kentucky with 431 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns while Dante Dowdell has 247 rushing yards and a TD. Kendrick Law leads the Wildcats with 19 receptions for 174 yards while four more Wildcats have 100+ receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Alex Afari Jr. has a team-high 37 total tackles including a team-high 22 solo tackles and a sack while Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace and Steven Soles Jr. each have a pair of sacks and Ty Bryant has 2 interceptions this season. 

Texas Longhorns @ Kentucky Wildcats Betting Trends: Week 8

Why the Kentucky Wildcats will win

  • Kentucky has won four of its last six October games as a home underdog.
  • Kentucky has covered the spread in six of its last seven games against AP-ranked teams.
  • Texas has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games against non-AP-ranked teams.
  • Kentucky has won the first quarter in three of its last four home games against conference opponents.

Why the Texas Longhorns will win

  • Texas has won 23 of its last 24 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
  • Kentucky has lost each of its last eight games against conference opponents.
  • Kentucky has failed to cover the spread in each of its last eight games in October.
  • Texas has won the first quarter in six of its last eight games against conference opponents.
  • Kentucky has lost the first half in each of its last four games against conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

  • Seven of Texas’ last eight October games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
  • Each of Kentucky’s last four games have gone OVER the total points line.

Kentucky Wildcats Player Prop Facts

  • Heading into Week 8, Steven Soles Jr. leads the Southeastern Conference for forced fumbles (2) this season.

Texas Longhorns Player Prop Facts

  • Heading into Week 8, Ty’Anthony Smith leads the Southeastern Conference for forced fumbles (2) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

  • Kentucky ranks 130th among FBS teams for average point differential in second quarters this season (-6.0).
  • Kentucky ranks T127th among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (12.0).
  • Texas ranks 3rd among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (11.0).
  • Texas ranks T3rd among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (2.3).

Texas Longhorns vs.  Kentucky Wildcats Prediction

I’m on the under in this game. I just think that defense is going to take center stage in this one, as you have a Kentucky team that hasn’t really been able to score much this season against a Texas team that just held Oklahoma to 6 points, but we’ve also seen Texas be less effective on the road this season. I think a low-scoring battle is in store here so give me the under in this one.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Under 43.5

Need More? Get Premium Picks

Hot Cappers

Latest Picks & Game Previews

  • Ducks vs Blackhawks Prediction 10/19/2025 Today’s NHL Picks

    October 19, 2025

  • Boston Bruins vs Utah Mammoth Prediction 10/19/2025 Today’s NHL Picks

    October 19, 2025

  • Seattle Mariners vs Toronto Blue Jays Prediction 10/19/2025 Today’s MLB Picks

    October 19, 2025

  • Falcons vs 49ers Prediction 10/19/2025 Today’s NFL Picks

    October 19, 2025

  • Tokyo Prediction: Noskova vs Uchijima 10/20/2025 Today’s Tennis Picks

    October 20, 2025

  • Tokyo Prediction: Mboko vs Andreescu 10/20/2025 Today’s Tennis Picks

    October 20, 2025

  • Vienna Prediction: Bublik vs Tabilo 10/20/2025 Today’s Tennis Picks

    October 20, 2025

  • Basel Prediction: Korda vs Humbert 10/20/2025 Today’s Tennis Picks

    October 20, 2025

  • Brentford FC vs West Ham United Prediction 10/20/2025 Today’s EPL Picks

    October 20, 2025

  • Buccaneers vs Lions Prediction 10/20/2025 Today’s NFL Picks

    October 20, 2025