A couple of schools that prefer to run the football, Head Coach Scott Satterfield and the Louisville Cardinals (+3) are gearing up to pay a visit to the Kentucky Wildcats (-3) at Kroger Field. This crucial afternoon game is scheduled to kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET and spectators can catch the action live on SEC Network.
Betting Preview: Louisville Cardinals vs. Kentucky Wildcats
Louisville is a live dog here and is currently getting 3 points. The Cardinals are also receiving +135 moneyline odds while the Wildcats are -155. This tilt should provide several decent live betting opportunities, and oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 54 points.
Each of these teams has been profitable this year as the Cardinals have gained 4.8 units while the Wildcats are up 2.7 units.
The Cardinals are 7-4 straight up (SU) in 2019 while the Wildcats are 6-5 SU.
Each team enters this matchup on a two-game winning streak. The Cardinals are coming off a resounding 56-34 victory over Syracuse last week where Macale Cunningham completed only 11 passes on 20 attempts for 238 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Javian Hawkins (233 rushing yards on 23 attempts, one TD) and Hassan Hall (71 yards on eight carries, one TD) spearheaded the running attack in the win while Chatarius Atwell (five receptions, 152 yards, two TDs) and Marshon Ford (three catches, 17 yards, one TD) manned the receiving duties.
Kentucky just got a sound 50-7 win over UT Martin. The team’s defense held its territory in the victory, holding the Skyhawks to only 216 passing yards and -12 yards on the ground. Terry Williams had a productive showing in the loss for UT Martin, recording 74 yards and a score on eight catches. For Kentucky, Lynn Bowden Jr. completed one-of-six passes for nine yards and one interception. Bowden Jr. (129 yards on 11 rush attempts, two TDs) and Kavosiey Smoke (40 yards on 11 carries) handled the ground game in the win while Ahmad Wagner (one receptions, 9 yards) and Nik Ognenovic (one catch, eight yards) led the pass-catching attack.
In terms of offensive play-calling, each squad has a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Louisville has run the ball on 64.7 percent of its offensive possessions while Kentucky has a rush percentage of 66.4. The Cardinals have run for 214.5 yards per game and have 21 scores via handoffs this year. The Wildcats are logging 252.4 rush yards per game and have 27 total rushing TDs.
If 2019 numbers are any indication, then it’s looking like the Wildcats could have the advantage in all aspects of the ground game, as their running backs has logged 5.8 yards per carry while their defense has allowed a YPC of 4.4 to opponents. The Cardinals have rushed for 5.0 yards per carry while allowing 4.8 yards per rush attempt to opponents.
The Cards offense has averaged 238.8 yards through the air overall and has 28 passing TDs so far. The Wildcats have produced 127.4 pass yards per game and have eight total pass scores.
Defensively, Louisville has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 183.2 yards and pass for 256.3 yards per game. The Kentucky defense has given up 178.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 143.5 yards per game to opposing runners. The Wildcats are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.71 to opponents, while the Cardinals have given up a 7.30 ANY/A.
Offensively, Cunningham is up to 1,466 passing yards on the year. The signal-caller has connected on 77-of-125 attempts with 15 scores through the air and only four interceptions. Cunningham’s got a sparkling 10.57 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 13.86 over the last two outings.
For the home team, Lynn Bowden Jr. has completed 20-of-50 passes for 222 yards, one TD and two INTs. Bowden Jr.’s ANY/A stands at a very poor 2.43 for the season and 5.06 over his past two outings.
These two squads met a year ago with the final outcome being a 56-10 victory for Kentucky.
Louisville Cardinals vs. Kentucky Wildcats NCAA Pick
SU Winner: Louisville, ATS Winner: Louisville, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The Kentucky defense has produced 26 sacks on the year while Louisville has 23.
- The Kentucky offense has lost 11 fumbles this season while the Louisville offense has lost eight.
- The Cardinals offense has recorded 17 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Wildcats have accounted for four such plays.
- The Louisville defense has allowed 11 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Kentucky has given up one such play.
- The Louisville offense has created 29 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Kentucky has created 39 such runs.
- The Cardinals defense has allowed 18 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Wildcats have given up 13 such runs.
- The O/U for Kentucky’s last game going into it was 43.5. The over cashed in the 50-7 victory over UT Martin.
- In its last three matches, Kentucky is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- Over its last three games, Louisville is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The Over/Under for Louisville’s last game going into it was 64. The over cashed in the team’s 56-34 win over Syracuse.
- Louisville has rushed for 5.3 yards per attempt over its past three games and 5.6 over its last two.
- Kentucky has averaged 7.0 yards per carry over its last three outings and 8.5 over its past two.
