The Kentucky Wildcats and the Vanderbilt Commodores meet Saturday in college football action from Vanderbilt Stadium. Kentucky played Akron in their last matchup over the weekend. In that one the Wildcats bagged their third straight win in blowout fashion. As for Vanderbilt, they’re coming off a game versus UNLV. The Commodores ended up taking a tough three-point loss. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Kentucky Wildcats 

The Wildcats got past their first opponent this year pretty easily (despite a 7-3 deficit in the first quarter), beating Ball State 44-14 with 357 total yards, 17 first downs and just 21:58 in time of possession. Game two was another victory (and another comeback win after trailing 7-0 in the first) over Eastern Kentucky 28-17. The Wildcats generated 414 yards of offense (299 passing) in that one. 

Last Saturday versus Akron, the Wildcats posted points in every quarter during a 35-3 blowout win. Devin Leary threw for 315 yards, three touchdowns and a pick, with Re’Mahn Davis catching three balls for 97 yards and a score. Davis and Demie Sumo combined for 130 rushing yards and two scores off 11 carries as well. 

Kentucky Wildcats Team Facts

Kentucky has won each of its last 11 games in September.
Kentucky has covered the spread in four of its last five road games.
Kentucky has won the first half in each of its last three games against conference opponents at FirstBank Stadium.
Each of Kentucky’s last nine games against conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Vanderbilt Commodores 

Over on the Vanderbilt side, they’ve got four games in the books already this year. The opener was a 35-28 win over Hawaii back on August 26. Game two was another victory, this time 47-13 over Alabama A&M. The Commodores took their first loss of the year against Wake Forest, falling 36-20 after coughing up 484 yards of offense and 29 first downs. 

In the UNLV matchup, the Commodores outscored the Rebels 20-10 in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback in a 40-37 loss. AJ Swann posted 296 passing yards with three touchdowns and an interception, and Patrick Smith was tops in rushing with 43 yards. London Humphreys added 102 yards with a score off three catches. 

Vanderbilt Commodores Team Facts

Vanderbilt has lost 27 of its last 29 games against conference opponents.
Vanderbilt has failed to cover the spread in each of its last 10 home games in September.
Vanderbilt has lost the first half in 26 of its last 29 games against conference opponents.
Each of Vanderbilt’s last six September games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Vanderbilt was one of only 17 FBS teams with a better road winning percentage (.500) than home winning percentage (.333) last season (min. 8 games).
Vanderbilt ranked 17th among FBS teams for Q3 points per game last season (8.8).
Kentucky ranked 10th among FBS teams for H2 points allowed per game last season (8.2).
Kentucky ranked T12th among FBS teams for Q3 win percentage last season (.615).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stick with Vanderbilt in this one. We should have a pretty good matchup on our hands regardless, though. The Commodores didn’t play especially well versus Wake Forest in their third outing of the year, posting three turnovers and allowing the Deacons to go 10-of-15 on third-down tries. In last weekend’s game versus UNLV, Vanderbilt posted 420 total yards (337 passing) with 21 first downs, but they were playing from behind for most of the game. The four turnovers (three fumbles) didn’t help either. Vanderbilt needs to sharpen things up in order to stand tall against Kentucky, and I think they can stick the cover if all goes well.