Two schools that like to keep it on the ground, Tigers of Missouri (-7) are preparing to greet their SEC counterpart No. 12 Kentucky Wildcats in Memorial Stadium at Faurot Field. SEC Network will broadcast the action and this critical daytime game is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Missouri Tigers vs. Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky is projected to play the role of underdog and is currently getting 7 points in this SEC game. In order to take the home favorite, moneyline bettors would currently have to lay down $300 to win $100 back on the Tigers (-300). The Wildcats are getting +220 moneyline odds. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 54.5 points. Some decent in-game betting possibilities should present themselves during the match.
With the line opening at -7 and the O/U set initially at 55, oddsmakers have shifted this game’s outlook a hair.
The profitable Wildcats have gained 9.3 units so far and are 3-4 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an Over-Under mark of 1-5.
The Tigers have gained 0.9 units this season. The team is 3-3-1 ATS and five of its games have gone over the total.
The Wildcats are 6-1 straight up (SU), including 4-1 SU against SEC opponents. The Tigers are 4-3 SU overall and 0-3 SU in conference play.
The Wildcats enter after a 14-7 victory over Vanderbilt last week. The Wildcats defense did its part in the win, keeping the Commodores to just 216 passing yards and 68 rushing yards. On the offense, Terry Wilson completed only three passes on 9 attempts for 18 yards and one touchdown. Benny Snell (169 yards on 32 rush attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Wilson (91 yards on 12 carries) mounted the ground attack. Lynn Bowden (three receptions, 18 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Missouri enters this one having just earned a 65-33 win over Memphis. Drew Lock completed 23-of-29 passes for 350 yards and four touchdowns. Damarea Crockett (56 yards on 13 rush attempts, one TD) and Larry Rountree III (118 yards on nine carries, three TDs) spearheaded the running game while Albert Okwuegbunam (six receptions, 159 yards, three TDs) and Jalen Knox (five catches, 104 yards, one TD) led the receiving corps in the win.
Kentucky has run the ball on 68.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Missouri has a rush percentage of 52.7 percent. The Wildcats have rushed for 231.6 yards per game (including 215.4 per game against Southeastern opponents) and have 17 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Tigers are putting up 200.1 rushing yards per game (176.0 in conference) and have 15 total rush TDs.
It appears that the Wildcats could own the edge in all aspects of the ground game. Their running backs has generated 5.3 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 3.4 YPC to opponents. The Tigers have tallied 4.8 yards per carry and allowed 3.7 yards per rush attempt to opponents.
The Wildcats offensive scheme has averaged 127.3 yards through the air overall (96.0 per game against conference opposition) and has seven passing scores so far. The Tigers have recorded 301.0 pass yards per outing (189 in the SEC) and have 16 total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Kentucky should have the upper hand in both facets. The team has allowed 112.0 rush yards and 189.9 pass yards per game. The Missouri defense has allowed 287.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 131.6 yards per game on the ground. The Wildcats are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.05 to opponents, while the Tigers have given up an 8.34 ANY/A.
Lock has been more effective than Wilson lately. The Tigers man under center has an adjusted net yards per pass attempt 8.37 for the season and 7.95 over his last two outings while Wilson’s ANY/A is 3.85 and 4.03 over his last two.
These two squads met last year with the final result being a 40-34 win for Kentucky.
Kentucky Wildcats at Missouri Tigers Betting Prediction
SU Winner: Kentucky, ATS Winner: Kentucky, O/U: Under
