Ohio Bobcats (2-1) vs. Kentucky Wildcats (1-2)
September 21, 2024 12:45 pm EDT
The Line: Kentucky Wildcats -17.5 / Ohio Bobcats +17.5; Over/Under: +42.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Ohio Bobcats and the Kentucky Wildcats meet Saturday in college football action from Kroger Field. Here’s a Kentucky vs Ohio prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Kentucky vs Ohio pick.
Ohio Bobcats Betting Preview
Ohio started things off this year with a matchup versus Syracuse. Ultimately the Bobcats couldn’t keep pace in that one and fell 38-22. Things went better versus South Alabama in game two, but it was a close one. Ohio powered out the win in the end 27-20.
In game three versus Morgan State, the Bobcats scored 14 points in the opening quarter on the way to a 21-6 win. QB Parker Navarro logged 162 yards with one score and three picks. Anthony Tyus led the rush on 90 yards and a TD off 16 carries.
Kentucky Wildcats Betting Preview
Over on the Kentucky side, they didn’t have any issues versus Southern Miss in their opener game. The Wildcats rolled to a 31-0 blowout victory. Kentucky’s first loss came the next weekend versus South Carolina though, as the Wildcats would fall 31-6 in another blowout.
Matched up against Georgia last Saturday the Wildcats fought valiantly and had a 9-6 edge going into the final quarter. Kentucky ended up losing 13-12 in the end, though. QB Brock Vandagriff had 114 yards, and Demie Sumo-Karngbaye rushed 22 times for 98 yards.
Why the Kentucky Wildcats will win
- Kentucky has won each of its last 18 games against non-conference opponents at Kroger Field.
- Kentucky has covered the spread in five of its last six games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
- Ohio has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five September games as a road underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Kentucky has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
- Kentucky has won the first half in 12 of its last 14 games against non-conference opponents at Kroger Field.
Why the Ohio Bobcats will win
- Ohio has won each of its last seven games in September.
- Kentucky has lost five of its last six games at Kroger Field.
- Ohio has covered the spread in each of its last four games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Kentucky has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five completed games at Kroger Field.
- Ohio has won the first quarter in each of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
- Ohio has won the first half in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Ohio’s last six September games against non-AP-ranked teams has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Four of Kentucky’s last five home games in September have gone UNDER the total points line.
Kentucky vs Ohio Prediction
I’ll lean toward Kentucky. The Wildcats stood up to a great Georgia team in their last outing, giving up just 262 total yards (160 passing), 4.9 yards per play, and 12 first downs. All things considered, the offense wasn’t horrible against such a stout opponent with 284 yards (170 rushing) and 23 first downs.
As for Ohio, they held Morgan State to just 211 yards (136 passing) and 16 first downs in their latest victory. The offense coughed up four turnovers, though. Kentucky will obviously represent a huge uptick in difficulty this weekend, though. I like the Wildcats to come off last weekend’s tough loss with a big victory here.
