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The Kentucky Wildcats take on the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman, Oklahoma, on Saturday, Oct. 17. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.
Oklahoma is favored by -6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -235. Kentucky, meanwhile, enters as a +6.5 underdog and is +190 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 43.5 total points.
Here’s my Kentucky vs. Oklahoma prediction and college football pick for Saturday, October 17.
Kentucky vs Oklahoma Prediction
- Kentucky vs. Oklahoma Pick: Kentucky Team Total Under 17.5
My Oklahoma vs. Kentucky best bet is on the Wildcats to stay under their team total of 17.5. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Kentucky vs Oklahoma Odds
| Kentucky Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -112 | 43.5 -110o / -110u | +190 |
| Oklahoma Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -108 | 43.5 -110o / -110u | -235 |
- Kentucky vs Oklahoma point spread: Oklahoma -6.5 (-108), Kentucky +6.5 (-112)
- Kentucky vs Oklahoma over/under: 43.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Kentucky vs Oklahoma moneyline: Kentucky +190, Oklahoma -235
Kentucky vs Oklahoma College Football Preview
Kentucky Wildcats Betting Preview: Sell High on 'Cats?
Kentucky is coming off one of the biggest wins of the season, knocking off LSU, 35-34, in overtime, and there's not a better time to sell high on the Wildcats' offense.
Head coach Will Stein deserves plenty of credit for what he's accomplished in Lexington, particularly with Kenny Minchey at quarterback.
However, there's a significant difference between finding success against LSU and doing the same thing against an Oklahoma defense that has been one of the most difficult units in the country to move the ball against.
Minchey helped engineer the comeback against LSU, connecting with wide receiver Kenny Darby on critical passes before converting the game-winning two-point attempt in overtime.
The Wildcats also benefited from a productive performance by running back CJ Baxter, who scored in overtime but is now questionable after sustaining an injury against the Tigers.
That's a significant development for an offense that needs to establish some semblance of balance to prevent Oklahoma from teeing off on Minchey. Not being at full strength already puts the 'Cats at a huge disadvantage.
Kentucky has improved considerably along the offensive line this season, but I still think the matchup becomes problematic if the Wildcats consistently find themselves in obvious passing situations.
The Sooners have the defensive personnel to create Havoc without sacrificing coverage, and that becomes particularly important against a QB who will be facing one of the most hostile environments in the conference.
This is an awful spot in a terrible matchup for the offense, so I have a hard time envisioning the Cats putting points on the scoreboard.
Oklahoma Sooners Betting Preview: Dominant Defense
Oklahoma just knocked off previously unbeaten Texas, 27-24, and while quarterback John Mateer and the offense continue to be inconsistent, the Sooners' defense has been considerably more trustworthy.
That's exactly why I'm attacking Kentucky's team total rather than laying the points with the Sooners.
Oklahoma ranks inside the top 15 nationally in both total defense and passing yards allowed, as head coach Brent Venables has built a unit capable of generating pressure without consistently exposing its secondary.
That becomes a difficult matchup for Minchey, particularly if Baxter is limited or unavailable.
Kentucky's offense has shown it can generate explosives, but the Sooners have done an excellent job forcing opponents to string together multiple successful plays rather than giving up cheap touchdowns.
That's the type of defensive profile I want when betting a team total under. This defense is nasty.
Oklahoma's offense also has enough uncertainty of its own, which is another reason why I'm not particularly interested in trusting the Sooners to cover a substantial number.
Mateer has thrown eight touchdowns against four interceptions, and the offense has been inconsistent enough that Oklahoma could win this game comfortably without necessarily putting up a massive score.
You can't trust this Oklahoma offense even in a plus matchup, but you can put faith in its defense. Expect the Sooners to stifle the 'Cats all afternoon and win an ugly one.
Kentucky vs Oklahoma Pick, Betting Analysis
This is a pretty straightforward sell-high spot, and you could argue it could be a letdown for both teams. Expect both sides to come out flat, but one thing is certain: Oklahoma’s defense is the best unit on the field.
Kentucky just knocked off a top-10 LSU team in an emotional overtime thriller, while Oklahoma is coming off a massive rivalry victory over Texas.
The Wildcats' 35 points against Blake Baker's Tigers defense are impressive, but they benefited from several high-leverage plays and an overtime touchdown, which isn't the type of scoring environment I'm expecting in Norman.
Oklahoma's defense ranks among the country's best in limiting passing production, and if the Sooners can consistently force Minchey into second-and-long situations, I think Kentucky will struggle to generate enough successful plays to sustain scoring drives.
The Baxter injury is also worth monitoring because Kentucky needs its rushing attack to remain efficient against Venables' front.
If the Wildcats can't establish the ground game, the Sooners should have opportunities to generate Havoc and force punts rather than allowing Kentucky to consistently reach scoring position.
Don't be concerned with whether or not Oklahoma covers the full-game spread, but its defense will stifle the 'Cats all afternoon.
The Sooners could win 24-13, 27-10 or even 20-14, and all three outcomes cash our ticket.
Sell Kentucky's offensive performance against LSU, and trust Venables' defense at home.
Pick: Kentucky Team Total Under 17.5
Kentucky vs Oklahoma Betting Trends
