Tennessee vs. Kentucky Predictions, Picks & Odds Week 9: Will Vols Rebound?

Check out our Tennessee vs. Kentucky prediction for their Week 9 college football matchup based on the best NCAAF odds.

We’re calling for a rebound showing from the Vols as our top Tennessee vs. Kentucky prediction for the marquee matchup. All our college football picks are based on the NCAAF odds from our best sports betting apps.

Kentucky (5-2) went to pieces in a 38-21 defeat during the team’s homecoming game against Missouri despite jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter of the Week 7 loss. Hopefully, a bye week will help the Wildcats regroup and prepare for a better showing against Tennessee (5-2).

The Volunteers are also looking to rebound following their 34-20 loss to Alabama, while the Wildcats are looking to avoid back-to-back poor performances at Kroger Field.

To accompany our college football Week 9 predictions and college football best bets, here is our best Tennessee vs. Kentucky prediction and our college football picks (odds via our best college football betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Tennessee vs. Kentucky prediction 

Tennessee -3.5 (-110 DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐

Tennessee’s typically explosive offense hasn’t yet materialized consistently during this conference schedule as the Vols have scored just 20 points in consecutive games against Texas A&M and Alabama.

But against a Kentucky defense that ranks outside the top 50 FBS teams in adjusted efficiency, Tennessee’s 44th-ranked adjusted offensive efficiency should have a chance to move the ball. Kentucky has allowed a combined 89 points over its past two games to Georgia and Missouri, with the latter of those two contests coming at home.

The Tennessee defense has surprisingly been the more notable element of its team, with the Vols ranking 10th in the nation in adjusted efficiency. Kentucky’s pass game under Devin Leary has been a disappointment thus far, leading the Wildcats to an adjusted offensive efficiency ranking of 67th nationally.

While the Ray Davis-led running game is Kentucky’s primary calling card offensively, Tennessee presents a matchup problem in that area as the Vols allow just 115 rushing yards per game, ranking 26th in the nation. Having already shown the propensity to let a good home-field advantage slip away, Kentucky simply isn’t strong enough in any one area to keep things close against Tennessee.

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Tennessee vs. Kentucky best odds

DraftKings (-110)

DraftKings FanDuel BetMGM Caesars bet365
Tennessee -3.5 Tennessee -3.5 Tennessee -3.5 Tennessee -3.5 Tennessee -3.5
-110 -110 -110 -110 -110

The lines and odds are identical across the board as the Volunteers are -3.5 attached to standard -110 odds at each of our best sports betting apps. At least at current odds, line shopping won’t get you much of an advantage.

We like Tennessee as a three-star recommendation up to -6.5, and would increase the play to four stars if we see the Vols dip down to -2.5.

Tennessee vs. Kentucky odds

Tennessee vs. Kentucky odds analysis

Tennessee opened as a 4.5-point road favorite before seeing the line move to Vols -3.5 across our best sportsbooks. At this time, 60% of bettors are siding with the Wildcats as underdogs on the point spread. 

The total opened at 54.5, but has dropped to 51.5 across each of our best sports betting sites. As of this writing, 69% of bettors have wagered on the Over as a result of the adjusted number.

Tennessee vs. Kentucky game info

  • When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 at 7 p.m. ET
  • Where: Kroger Field, Lexington, KY
  • How to watch: ESPN
  • Weather: 69 degrees, 6-mph winds, 38% precipitation

Tennessee-Kentucky prediction made 10/26/2023 at 4 p.m. ET.

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