Kentucky Wildcats at Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview/Prop Picks
29 October 2022
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Kentucky 100.255; Tennessee 108.573
Dunkel Line & Total: Tennessee by 8 ½; 44
Vegas Line & Total: Tennessee by 12; 64
Dunkel Pick: Kentucky (+12); Under
Week 9 of the college football season is loaded with some big matchups, including a showdown in Knoxville, Tennessee, as the Volunteers host the Kentucky Wildcats. This game has delivered some terrific games and big moments in recent years, and another could be coming on Saturday night.
Kentucky comes into this game with an overall record of 5-2, and they just picked up a big win over Mississippi State a week ago. The Wildcats aren't going to win the SEC this season, but they can still impact the conference race.
Tennessee is a perfect 7-0 on the year, and they are firmly in the race to reach the College Football Playoff this season. The Volunteers stunned Alabama just a few weeks ago, and they are looking to stay atop the SEC standings.
The Tennessee Volunteers are 12.0-point betting favorites over the Kentucky Wildcats in this SEC showdown on Saturday night.
Wildcats Can Win With Defense
The Kentucky Wildcats come into this game holding opponents to less than 17 points per game. It's going to take the best defensive effort of the season for the Wildcats if they are going to knock off the Volunteers on Saturday.
Scoring points can sometimes be a bit of a challenge for Kentucky, but they do have a superstar quarterback in Will Levis. It's been an injury-plagued year for Levis, but he has still thrown for 1,635 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Don't be surprised to see Kentucky try and run the football a ton in this game, as they want to give their defense a chance to rest.
Hooker Having Huge Season For Vols
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker could be on his way to winning a Heisman Trophy this season if he continues to deliver. Hooker has thrown for 2,093 yards and 18 touchdowns this season while also making some big plays with his legs.
This Tennessee offense just has so many different weapons, as they are scoring over 50 points per game. Tennessee is going to try and speed up the tempo in this game in an effort to wear down the Kentucky defense.
The Volunteers are giving up 23 points per game, but that defense hasn't had to worry about getting big stops in most of the games.
Wildcats Battle; Volunteers Win
You could make a pretty good case that Tennessee has been the most impressive team in college football this year, but they can't afford a letdown. The Volunteers have a huge showdown with Georgia looming, and there is a threat of looking past this one.
Kentucky is simply not a team that can be looked over, as the Wildcats are a team that always seems to battle with everyone. Eventually, the Tennessee offense is going to take charge of this game, but it's going to be a battle for all four quarters.
Take the 12 points and bet on the Kentucky Wildcats against Tennessee, but it is going to be the Volunteers that come away with the win.
Prop Picks
Tennessee (-115) UNDER 37.5 Points
Kentucky is allowing 19.2 points per game on defense this season, which ranks No. 15 in the FBS. That average remains relatively steady at 19.0 points per game on the road. Scores have gone UNDER in 20 of the Wildcats’ last 28 road games.
With Dunkel predicting a Tennessee win by the score of 26-18, take the Volunteers (-115) to finish UNDER their Vegas point total of 37.5 points against the Wildcats.
Will Levis (-105) UNDER 243.5 Passing Yards
Kentucky is averaging 240.8 passing yards per game on offense, which ranks No. 63 in FBS. That average decreases to 211.0 passing yards on the road.
With Dunkel predicting the final score staying UNDER the Vegas point total, take Levis (-105) to finish UNDER 243.5 passing yards against the Volunteers.
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All Media on this page by Associated Press.
