Auburn at Kentucky

Written by Steve Janus

This Saturday the Kentucky Wildcats will look to pull off a big upset when they host the No.8 Auburn Tigers. The Wildcats started the season off 3-0, but have lost their last two games, including a 42-35 loss at Mississippi last week. The Tigers improved to 5-0 on the season with a 52-3 blowout win over Louisiana-Monroe at home last week. The Tigers have won seven straight games at Kentucky, but the Wildcats were the winners last year, as they defeated Auburn 21-14 on the road. The oddsmakers are calling for the Tigers to roll on the road this weekend, as the current college football odds have the Tigers favored by 6-points over the Wildcats.

Auburn (5-0, 2-0 SEC): The Tigers have been great on both sides of the ball to start the season, as they come in averaging just under 37 points a game, while they are giving up just under 19 points a game. Both units were on their game last week against Louisiana-Monroe, as the Tigers piled on 505 yards of total offense and allowed just 270 yards on defense. A big reason the Tigers are where they are right now, is the play of quarterback Cameron Newton, who not only leads the Tigers with 928 yards and 12 touchdown passes, but also leads the team with 474 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Last week against ULM, Newton threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns on 14 of 19 passing, but did have his lowest rushing total, as he had -11 yards on just 1 carry. Look for Newton to be more of a threat this week against the Wildcats.

The Tigers defense forced four turnovers in the game over ULM, and has now created eight turnovers in the last two games. The Wildcats have turned it over five times in their last two games, so you can expect the Tigers to be going after the football this weekend. Auburn strength on defense is against the run, as they are allowing just 93 yards a game on the ground.

Kentucky (2-3, 0-2 SEC): The Wildcats have to be pretty disappointed with the way things have went the past couple weeks, as they got it handed to them by Florida and then last week they really let a game get away that they could have won. Kentucky jumped on the board first and had a 14-7 lead early in the fourth quarter, but Mississippi responded with two touchdowns to take the lead, and the Wildcats could never get back in front the rest of the way.

Quarterback Mike Harline had his best passing day of the season, throwing for 300 yards on 27 of 46 passing with touchdowns to just one interception. Kentucky also got a big game out of running back Derrick Locke, who had 68 yards and two scores on the ground, while catching eight passes for 108 yards. Wide out Randall Cobb continued his fine season with six catches for 108 yards and a touchdown, but it was turnovers that really killed the Wildcats in this one, as they turned it over three times, while the Rebels failed to turn it over once.

Looking at the Odds: This is a very interesting matchup this weekend, as I think this game could go either way. My initial thought was to take the 6.5 points and go with Kentucky and that is what I decided to stick with. I just feel that even if Auburn wins this game it is going to come right down to the final few drives of the game. If the Wildcats can keep Newton from beating them with his feet, I think they actually have a great shot at winning this game, but that is much easier said than done. My final score prediction is Auburn 27, Kentucky 23.

Comments

Got something to say?