The SEC’s Week 8 slate is loaded. The quantity of SEC matchups has literally never been higher, and the quality is exceptional. We have only 1 double-digit spread on the ledger this Saturday. It’s in the game between the school many projected as the conference’s best squad back in August (Texas) and the university that may field the conference’s worst team (Kentucky).
Texas (4-2, 1-1 SEC) travels to Lexington this weekend off a massive 23-6 win over Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. Kentucky (2-3, 0-3 SEC) was on bye in Week 7. Prior to that, the Wildcats lost 2 games convincingly on the road to South Carolina (35-13) and Georgia (35-14). The Longhorns’ momentum, coupled with Kentucky’s slide, has Texas as 12.5-point favorites (ESPN Bet) for their matchup.
Both head coaches in this game desperately need a win. A loss to the Wildcats will undo everything the Longhorns’ victory against the Sooners did for Steve Sarkisian and effectively end Texas’ College Football Playoff hopes. On the other sideline, another blowout defeat could be the last straw for Mark Stoops‘ tenure as Kentucky’s coach.
Unsurprisingly, ESPN’s Football Power Index has the preseason No. 1 team in the country winning this game. FPI gives the Longhorns an 82.1% chance to beat the Wildcats. Texas’ moneyline (-500, ESPN Bet) reflects an 83.3% implied win probability, which means the analytics and betting markets are in lockstep. Regardless, Kentucky will try to pull the upset. Kickoff for the Longhorns-Wildcats contest is 7:00 p.m. E.T. on Oct. 18 (ESPN).
