The Cats will host Tennessee Tech for Senior Day as fans and coaches get to celebrate those who have given their all for the program one last time at Kroger Field. After snapping a 10-game SEC home losing streak by humiliating Florida, this should be a relaxing tune-up before road trips to Vanderbilt and Louisville.
Usually, when you schedule an FCS team in November, you're booking an easy win.
Well, Kentucky didn't do a good job of that. This isn't just any old FCS team.
Why Tennessee Tech is a trap game
Tennessee Tech comes into the game as an undefeated, top 10 team in the FCS. This is a group that is balanced, well-coached, and has an offense that is putting up video game numbers.
The Golden Eagles are averaging a staggering 45 points per game.
This isn't a one-dimensional gimmick, either. They are perfectly balanced, averaging 219 rushing yards and 231 passing yards per game. They can beat you on the ground or through the air, and they clearly have the confidence of a 10-0 team.
Final odds and prediction
This brings us to the betting line. FanDuel has Kentucky listed as a massive favorite, which feels completely disconnected from the team they are about to play.
- Spread: Kentucky -21.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Kentucky -2500 / Tennessee Tech +1200
- Total: 52.5 (Over -105 / Under -115)
Given the opponent's undefeated record and their incredibly balanced, high-scoring offense, that 21.5-point line looks like a joke. Mark Stoops has a long, painful history of laying stinkers after getting momentum. This game, on Senior Day, after two huge SEC wins, against a "little" FCS team that is secretly a monster is the very definition of a prime letdown spot.
Kentucky should roll. But it just feels like a classic Stoops letdown day.
Prediction:
Kentucky will be in a dogfight for four quarters. The Cats escape with a win, but they won't come close to covering that spread.
Kentucky 27, Tennessee Tech 24
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion