The Texas Longhorns take on the Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington, KY. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Texas is favored by 12.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -500. Kentucky, meanwhile, enters as a +12.5 underdog and is +375 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 42.5 total points.
Here’s my Texas vs. Kentucky predictions and college football picks for Saturday, October 18, 2025.
Texas Longhorns vs Kentucky Wildcats Prediction, Picks
- Texas vs. Kentucky Pick: Texas -12.5 (Play to -13.5)
My Kentucky vs. Texas best bet is on the Longhorns to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Texas vs Kentucky Odds, Lines, Spread
| Texas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-12.5 -112 | 44.5 -105o / -115u | -520 |
| Kentucky Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+12.5 -108 | 44.5 -105o / -115u | +370 |
- Texas vs Kentucky Spread: Texas -12.5, Kentucky +12.5
- Texas vs Kentucky Over/Under: 44.5 Total Points
- Texas vs Kentucky Moneyline: Texas ML -520, Kentucky ML +370
Texas vs Kentucky Preview
Texas Longhorns
After two early losses, Texas' preseason expectations seemed like a fever dream. But after a dominant win over Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, there's some renewed optimism around the program.
The Longhorns have been locked in defensively, ranking second nationally in points per game allowed and seventh in yards per play allowed. Their stellar play on the defensive side of the ball has given their offense's lackluster numbers some leeway.
While Arch Manning's Heisman Trophy hopes are gone for this season, he was a big factor in the Longhorns' win last week. He was efficient through the air and made things happen with his legs.
All of these trends should remain against a Kentucky offense that has shown no signs of life through the air and is likely to be shut down on the ground.
Kentucky Wildcats
Speaking of the Wildcats, their offense has been abysmal, leading to some ugly scores against the upper echelon of the SEC. However, the issues aren't just on one side of the ball.
Kentucky has been burned through the air, ranking 115th in yards per pass allowed. This stems from its inability to rush the passer against some of the better quarterbacks in the country.
The Wildcats' sack rate comes in at 98th in the country, and they're just allowing too much time for talented arms to dissect them. We'll see that this week, as Manning has shown that he can be both accurate and push the ball down the field.
The running game is a whole different issue for Kentucky's defense, which is only amplified by Manning's mobility.
We saw Georgia demonstrate all of this, as Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton completed long passes and picked up chunk gains with his legs.
Manning has the ability to repeat that effort.
Texas vs Kentucky NCAAF Week 8 Pick
The Longhorns defense is going to give them the opportunity to control this matchup.
They have all the tools to shut down this Kentucky offense. With little resistance expected on the scoreboard, look for Texas to keep piling on late into the second half.
Back the Longhorns to cover the spread.
Pick: Texas -12.5
Texas vs Kentucky Betting Trends to Know
