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Kentucky Louisville Odds

Written August 30, 2008 by Jack Jones

It’s rare to have Sunday college football, but on August 31st that’s exactly what we will have when the Kentucky Wildcats head to Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium to take on the Louisville Cardinals. The kickoff is at 3:30 PM EST and will be televised on ESPN.

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Odds:
Kentucky +3.5
Louisville -3.5
Total is set at 56.5

Even though Kentucky ended their 2007 campaign at 8-5, we feel like that team was a lot better than their record indicated. This team beat Louisville, Arkansas, Florida State, and even LSU, but had to take tough losses against Florida and Tennessee which prevented them from entering the SEC elite. After two straight seasons of racking up eight wins though, this team is facing an uphill battle with the loss of a lot of veteran talent.

Louisville on the other hand is coming off a season of disappointment, in which they ended up 6-6 and missed out on a bowl game for the first time in ten years, but they have a chance to turn things around quickly with four straight and six of their first seven contests being played in front of the home faithful. More good news for Cardinals fan in that their squad has won seven of the last nine battles for the Governor’s Cup.

Kentucky’s offense put up the points last year, to the tune of 475 which smashed the old school record. You aren’t going to see that kind of proficiency this year though with five All-SEC starters needing to be replaced, none bigger than quarterback Andre Woodson. Curtis Pulley was kicked off the team as well, which leaves Mike Hartline as the signal caller. He will still have Dicky Lyons to through to, who racked up 56 catches a year ago, but the rest of the pass catchers will be inexperienced. The team has plenty of depth at tailback and with a solid offensive line in place the rushing attack should be in good hands.

The defense was the Achilles heel for the Wildcats a year ago, but with eight starters returning the team is hoping they come together and improve drastically as a unit. Kentucky did lose All-SEC linebacker Wesley Woodyard, but there is plenty of experience in the unit to help fill that gap. The line has both tackles returning and solid defensive end Jeremy Jarmon and the secondary is loaded with three starters returning, including star Trevard Lindley. Take the +3.5 point spread when betting on Kentucky over Louisville at BetUS.

Louisville doesn’t have an easy task in replacing their quarterback either, as Brian Brohm moved on to the NFL. Hunter Cantwell will be in position to take his place this year and he’s not going to have an easy time throwing with a very inexperienced corps of receivers. There are two returning starters with plenty of experience on the offensive line, which might make things tough for an inexperienced sophomore running back in Bilal Powell.

Ron English was hired to come in and get Louisville’s defense back on track, but with only four starters returning he’s not going to have an easy task. Tackle should be a strong spot with Early Heyman back and Adrian Grady returning from injury, while one end spot is manned by Maurice Mitchell and his 37 straight starts. When you get past the line though you won’t recognize many players, but with a couple of juco transfers at lineback all will not be lost. The secondary has senior corner Woodny Turenne and Latarrius Thomas will be back after missing most of 2007 due to a knee injury. You can bet on Louisville over Kentucky as a 3.5 point favorite.

Predicted Score: Louisville 30, Kentucky 27

UK Wildcat Country sees this game going the other way with their Kentucky Louisville predictions article.

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