It’s been a legitimate thrill for college football bettors to see the sport underway again, and it won’t be long before the Big Ten joins the fray. And if you’re someone who really craves college football betting action from the big boys, then Week 1 of the SEC comes at the perfect time.
The Kentucky Wildcats hitting the road to meet the Auburn Tigers isn’t exactly a conference classic — not even in basketball — but there are plenty of storylines in this opener that make Saturday’s showdown worth watching.
Here are our best NCAA football picks and predictions for the September 26 game between the Wildcats and Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, set for 12:00 pm ET.
Kentucky Wildcats vs Auburn Tigers betting preview
Weather
It won’t be ideal weather in Auburn, with the forecast calling for cloudy skies, a 57 percent chance of rain and a high of 80. Wind will be out of the south at 9 mph and shouldn’t be a factor. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key Injuries
Kentucky: Terry Wilson QB (Probable), Isaiah Epps WR (Questionable), Chris Oats LB (Out), Joey Gatewood QB (Out).
Auburn: Josh Marsh LB (Out), Chandler Wooten LB (Out).
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Kentucky is 2-1 ATS in the last three head-to-head meetings. Find more NCAA football betting trends for Kentucky vs. Auburn.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
The Kentucky Wildcats are coming off a strong finish in 2019, when they finished with an 8-5 record that included four straight wins to end the season and a victory over Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl. However, that game is being replaced this season by the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, and this is what college football is all about: young men working all year long and hoping to earn a flashy ring engraved with the name of a mayonnaise company.
Saturday will mark the anticipated return of Wildcats QB Terry Wilson, who will see his first action since season-ending knee surgery last year. Because of that injury, do-it-all receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. ended up taking snaps under center, but now he’s back at his natural position — in the NFL. Wilson will rely on the talented tight end tandem of Justin Rigg and Keaton Upshaw. On defense, get used to hearing the name Yusuf Corker. The junior cornerback is their best defensive player and led the team with 74 tackles last year.
The Auburn Tigers will only go as far as QB Bo Nix can lead them. He’s a hell of a story, now quarterbacking the very team he grew up idolizing. As a freshman, he passed for 2,452 yards and 16 touchdowns and should evolve into an even better player this season. Nix will rely on receivers Seth Williams and Anthony Schwartz, while sophomore D.J. Williams will be the team’s featured running back.
On defense, the Tigers are strong at linebacker but have questions everywhere else. They also lost 15 starters from last year’s squad, so it may take them longer than most teams to come together. This line opened at Auburn -8.5 and was quickly bet down to Auburn -7 at many shops. If you can get the number at a touchdown or higher, Kentucky remains the right side.
PREDICTION: Kentucky +7.5 (-110)
Over/Under pick
Nix’s talent always makes him a threat to have a big game, especially with an extra year of experience under his belt and the continued tutelage of head coach Gus Malzahn.
However, the Under is 7-1 in Kentucky’s last eight games as a road dog. Auburn will have a host of new players in the starting lineup, and I think that will allow the Wildcats to turn this game into a lower-scoring, grind-it-out affair.
PREDICTION: Under 49.5 (-110)
Kentucky vs Auburn betting card
- Kentucky +7.5 (-110)
- Under 48 (-110)
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NCAA Kentucky vs. Auburn picks, you could win $26.45 on a $10 bet?
Use our NCAA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where can I bet on college football?
You can bet on college football odds at every online and casino sportsbooks, including NCAA football point spreads, Over/Under totals, derivative bets and even prop plays as well. Head over to our best-suggested sportsbooks for the top spots to bet on college football odds in your area.
