[4:00 PM] Vanderbilt @ Kentucky

Who will WIN this matchup?

Vanderbilt Commodores (2-3)

@ Kentucky Wildcats (2-3)

 

Current odds:

Vanderbilt Commodores: (+142)

Kentucky Wildcats: (-160)

 

• ESPN simulations have Kentucky as 61.7% favorites to win the game.

• 58% of sports bets are currently on Kentucky to win as (-160) favorites.

• Two of the top running backs in the SEC go toe-to-toe Saturday as Boom Williams and Kentucky host Ralph Webb and Vanderbilt. Both teams have struggled out of the gate, but at no fault of their star backs, who have combined to rush for more than 1,000 yards and will both see plenty of carries in this one.

• Wildcats coach Mark Stoops has spoken glowingly of Williams, who has racked up 486 rushing yards through five games but settled for 22 on nine carries in last week’s 34-6 drubbing at the hands of powerhouse Alabama. Webb piled up 110 yards on 24 carries in the Commodores’ 13-6 defeat to Florida last Saturday. Webb comes into this one leading the conference in rushing yards (582) and attempts (118) and tied for third in rushing touchdowns (five).

• Quarterback Kyle Shurmur was injured in the fourth quarter against the Gators but is listed at the top of the depth chart against Kentucky and will look to improve upon an abysmal showing that saw him complete just 9-of-25 passes for 82 yards and an interception. Shurmur has exceeded 150 passing yards just once in Vanderbilt’s first five games and will need to bolster his 51.5 percent completion rate if he hopes to open things up for the running game.

• Quarterback Drew Barker remains sidelined indefinitely with a back injury, so Stephen Johnson will take the reins for the fourth consecutive game as he recorded a 310-yard, three-touchdown performance on Sept. 17 against New Mexico State but has thrown for just 224 yards with zero TDs and an interception in two games since.

• Kentucky ranks 11th in the 14-team SEC in total yards (1,762), while Vanderbilt is 13th (1,515).

 
StreakSmarts Pick: Kentucky Wildcats

Confidence: 5/10

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