CFB Pick: Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Kentucky Wildcats
Game Details:
- Date: Saturday, August 31st
- Time: 7:45 PM EST
- Location: Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky
- Spread: Kentucky -26
- Total: 50.5
Kentucky Wildcats (2023 Record: 7-6)
The Kentucky Wildcats enter the 2024 season with high hopes, boasting a wealth of returning talent. With 8 starters back on offense and 10 on defense, head coach Mark Stoops’ 12th season promises stability and experience.
Last year, Kentucky demonstrated its potential by defeating a ranked Florida team and narrowly losing to Tennessee. However, their struggles against top-tier opponents like Alabama and Georgia exposed vulnerabilities. The Wildcats’ ability to close the gap against elite competition will be a key storyline this year.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles (2023 Record: 3-9)
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles faced a challenging 2023 campaign, finishing with a 3-9 record. Their victories came against Alcorn State, ULM, and Louisiana, while most losses were lopsided. Their lone encounter with a ranked team, Florida State, resulted in a 66-13 rout.
With only 4 returning starters on offense and 6 on defense, the Golden Eagles face an uphill battle in rebuilding their roster.
Prediction:
Our model predicts a decisive Kentucky victory, 44-14. However, a closer look at Kentucky’s recent performances reveals a trend of closer contests. In the last two seasons, the Wildcats have secured only one win by more than 26 points, suggesting that their margin of victory might be smaller than expected.
Our Picks:
- Southern Miss +26 (Full Game)
- Southern Miss +1st Quarter
- Southern Miss +1st Half
Reasoning:
While Kentucky is undoubtedly the superior team, their tendency to play in close games raises doubts about covering the substantial spread. Southern Miss, despite their struggles last year, could keep the game competitive, especially in the early stages.