Kentucky (3-2) vs Vanderbilt (3-2)
Game Info: Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 7:45 pm (Kroger Field)
The Line: Betting Odds: Kentucky -13.5 / Vanderbilt +13.5 — Over/Under: 45.5
The Vanderbilt Commodores and the Kentucky Wildcats meet in week 7 college football action from Kroger Field on Saturday night. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky prediction.
Vanderbilt Recap
The Vanderbilt Commodores come into this game fresh off of arguably the biggest win in program history, upsetting Alabama last time out by a final score of 40-35, improving to 3-2 on the year as a result. After this game, Vanderbilt will head home for a matchup with Ball State.
Commodores Trying To Avoid Letdown
Diego Pavia has thrown for 973 yards and 8 touchdowns on 66.7% passing while also rushing for a team-high 335 yards and 2 TDs. Sedrick Alexander has 281 rushing yards with 5 touchdowns while AJ Newberry has 129 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Eli Stowers has a team-high 25 grabs for 333 yards while Quincy Skinner Jr. and Junior Sherrill each have 100+ receiving yards as well. On defense, Langston Patterson has a team-high 36 total tackles while Vanderbilt’s defense as a whole has combined for 11 sacks and 5 interceptions.
Why the Vanderbilt Commodores will win
- Kentucky has lost eight of its last nine games in October.
- The road team has won four of the last five games between Vanderbilt and Kentucky.
- Vanderbilt has covered the spread in each of its last four games as an underdog.
- Kentucky has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games in October.
Kentucky Recap
The Kentucky Wildcats come into this game looking to build on back-to-back wins after a 20-17 win over Ole Miss last time out to improve to 3-2 on the year. After this game, Kentucky will go on the road for a matchup with the Florida Gators in the Swamp.
Wildcats Trying To Keep Defensive Pressure Up
Brock Vandagriff has thrown for 793 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions on 59.8% passing while Demie Sumo-Karngbaye has 321 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns as well. Dane Key leads Kentucky’s receiving group with 23 receptions for 369 yards while Barion Brown has 178 receiving yards and a pair of TD grabs for Kentucky. On defense, Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Zion Childress each have a team-high 20 total tackles. J.J. Weaver also has 3 sacks as part of Kentucky’s 10 sacks this season while the Wildcat defense has 4 interceptions as well on the year.
Why the Kentucky Wildcats will win
- Vanderbilt has lost 21 of its last 22 road games against conference opponents.
- The home team has won each of Vanderbilt’s last seven games.
- Vanderbilt has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Kentucky has covered the spread in five of its last six completed games.
Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky Prediction
I’m on Vandy and the points here. I know this spot screams letdown for Vanderbilt, heading on the road against Kentucky after the Bama win, but something just feels different about Vanderbilt. They’ve been playing with a confidence that Diego Pavia’s brought to this team, and Kentucky, they win games with solid defense but I don’t know if I’m at a point of laying nearly two touchdowns with them. Vandy’s 3-0 ATS as a double-digit dog this season. Give me the points.