| MATCHUP | Texas Longhorns | Kentucky Wildcats |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 5-2 | 2-4 |
| Where | Kroger Field, Lexington, KY | |
| When | Saturday, October 18, 2025 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN | |
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.