Kentucky Wildcats vs Louisville Cardinals Picks and Predictions November 30th 2024

Kentucky Wildcats vs Louisville Cardinals November 30th 2024

The over/under line is currently sitting at 48.5 points for the Louisville Cardinals and Kentucky Wildcats matchup, set to kick off at 12:00 ET from Kroger Field in Lexington. The Cardinals are the -3.5-point favorites on the road. SECN will be covering this game, and the money line odds have Louisville at -173 and Kentucky at +143. Louisville comes in with a 7-4 record, while Kentucky is 4-7 this season.

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Louisville vs. Kentucky Key Information

• Teams: Cardinals at Wildcats
• Where: Kroger Field Lexington
• Date: Saturday, November 30th
• Betting Odds LOU -173 | UK +143 O/U 48.5

The Cardinals Can Win If…

Louisville enters Week 14 with a 7-4 record, but they have no chance of winning the Atlantic Coast. However, they are 100% bowl-eligible. The Cardinals are 3-2 at home and 3-2 on the road this season, and they are ranked 13th in our power rankings.

Louisville has been favored in seven of their 11 games, going 5-2 as the favorite. Their average scoring margin is +12.1 points per game, but they are 4-6 against the spread this season.

The over/under line for this week’s game is 48.5 points. Louisville’s average over/under line is 55.9 points, and their over/under record is 6-4, with their games averaging 60.3 points.

Louisville’s offense ranks 16th in points per game, averaging 36.2, and they are 11th in our offensive power rankings heading into week 14. Tyler Shough has thrown for 3,067 yards, leading the passing game, and has a passer rating of 103. He has 23 touchdowns and six interceptions this season.

Louisville ranks 13th in passing yards per game, averaging 285.5. Ja’Corey Brooks has 1,013 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. On the ground, the Cardinals are 57th nationally, averaging 172.2 rushing yards per game. Isaac Brown has 896 rushing yards, nine touchdowns, and averages 7 yards per carry.

Louisville’s defense is coming off a strong performance, allowing just 9 points in their recent game against Pittsburgh. They limited the Panthers to 75 rushing yards on 27 attempts and forced three interceptions, giving up 265 total yards.

For the season, Louisville ranks 47th nationally, allowing 24.1 points per game. Opponents have averaged 134.5 rushing yards per game and 229.4 passing yards, completing 62.6% of their throws.

• Spanning across their last three games, Louisville have gone 2-1. In terms of betting, the team went 2-1 ATS in these matchups. Their over/under record in these matchups is 1-2.
• Louisville has put together a record of 6-4 in their last ten games (regular season). In these contests, the team went just 4-6 against the spread, while going 6-4 on the over-under.

The Wildcats Can Win If…

Kentucky enters Week 14 with a 4-7 record, facing Louisville at home. They are ranked 42nd in our power rankings and have no chance of reaching bowl eligibility. The Wildcats are 2-4 at home this season.

Kentucky has been favored in six of their 11 games, going 2-4 as the favorite. Their average scoring margin is +0.8, and they have a 6-4 record against the spread. As the underdog, they are 4-0 ATS this season.

The over/under line for this week is 48.5 points. Kentucky’s games have averaged 41.5 points, with an average line of 45.3 points. Their over/under record is 3-7, with eight games having lower lines than this week’s total.

Heading into week 14, Kentucky’s offense ranks 87th in points per game, averaging 21.2. They are 72nd in our offensive power rankings. Their passing game has struggled, ranking 123rd in passer rating, and they are 105th in passing yards per game. They convert just 35.6% of third downs.

Brock Vandagriff leads Kentucky with 1,593 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 80. On the ground, they average 146.5 rushing yards per game. Demie Sumo-Karngbaye has 535 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Dane Key has 715 receiving yards this season.

Despite ranking 23rd nationally by allowing just 20.4 points per game, Kentucky’s defense struggled in their recent matchup against Texas, giving up 31 points. They allowed 442 total yards, including 251 rushing yards on 46 attempts, and two passing touchdowns.

Opponents have averaged 145 rushing yards per game against Kentucky, while quarterbacks have posted a 64.2% completion rate, totaling 188.7 passing yards per game.

• The Kentucky Wildcats have gone 1-2 over their last three regular season games. In these matchups, they ended with an ATS record of 1-2 and an over-under mark of 0-3.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Kentucky has a record of 3-7. In these contests, the team went just 5-5 against the spread, while going 4-6 on the over-under.

The Lean

The over/under line for this Louisville vs. Kentucky matchup is set at 48.5 points, and with our projected score of 53 points, we recommend taking the over.

Our point spread projection has Louisville winning 30-23, so we like Louisville to cover as the -3.5 point spread favorites on the road.

Weekly College Football Picks

Kentucky Wildcats Aim to Finish Strong Against Rival Louisville in Governor’s Cup Showdown

The annual Governor’s Cup is here, and with it, the chance for the Kentucky Wildcats to cap off a challenging season on a high note. On Saturday, the Wildcats (4-7) will face the Louisville Cardinals (7-4) in Lexington, a rivalry that has defined college football in the Bluegrass State. While Kentucky’s postseason hopes are dashed, their eyes are firmly set on securing a sixth consecutive win against their in-state rivals.

For Louisville, the stakes are equally high. The Cardinals, already bowl-bound for the fourth consecutive year, seek to rewrite the narrative after last year’s heartbreaking 38-31 loss to Kentucky, where a late-game rally sealed their fate.

Kentucky: Building for the Future Amidst Challenges

The Wildcats are coming off a 31-14 loss to No. 3 Texas, ensuring their first losing season since 2015. With no bowl game on the horizon, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops is using this rivalry game as an opportunity to build for the future.

Enter Cutter Boley. The true freshman quarterback will make his first start, showcasing his potential against a strong Louisville squad. Boley has played in relief in three games this season, including a promising performance last week, completing 10 of 18 passes for 160 yards against Texas.

“We’ve made it a conscious effort to get Cutter some first-team reps,” Stoops said. “Ever since the bye week, I think you’ve seen him execute at a higher level.”

While the season has been tough, Kentucky’s defense remains a bright spot, ranked 37th nationally in total yards allowed per game (332.7). The Wildcats will rely on their defensive prowess to counter Louisville’s high-octane offense.

Louisville: Redemption and Momentum

For the Louisville Cardinals, the Governor’s Cup isn’t just another game—it’s a chance to exorcise the ghosts of last year’s collapse. The Cardinals led by 10 points late in the third quarter in 2022, only to see their lead slip away after a game-winning 37-yard touchdown by Kentucky’s Ray Davis.

“If you don’t win it, it puts a sour taste in your mouth,” said Louisville coach Jeff Brohm. “It’s a bad taste. It stays there for a long time.”

Brohm’s team boasts one of the most explosive offenses in the country, ranking 15th nationally in total yards per game (453). Two standout players lead the charge:

• Ja’Corey Brooks: The ACC’s top receiver with 1,013 yards on 61 catches and nine touchdowns.
• Isaac Brown: The dynamic freshman running back has racked up 896 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, averaging a stunning 7.4 yards per carry. He’s just 65 yards shy of breaking Lamar Jackson’s freshman rushing record—a feat that could cement his legacy early in his college career.

A Battle of Strengths

The Governor’s Cup game presents a compelling clash of styles. Louisville’s offensive firepower will test Kentucky’s disciplined defense, creating a high-stakes environment for both teams.

• Kentucky Defense: Ranked 37th nationally, yielding just 332.7 yards per game.
• Louisville Offense: Ranked 15th in total offense, averaging 453 yards per game.

For Kentucky, slowing down Brown and Brooks will be key to pulling off the upset. For Louisville, capitalizing on Kentucky’s struggles and avoiding turnovers will be crucial to securing their first Governor’s Cup win since 2016.

Key Storylines to Watch

1. Cutter Boley’s First Start

This game marks the beginning of a new chapter for Kentucky as they showcase their freshman quarterback. Can Boley rise to the occasion and deliver under pressure?

2. Isaac Brown’s Record Chase

All eyes will be on the Louisville running back as he chases Lamar Jackson’s freshman rushing record. Will he seize the moment?

3. Defensive Showdown vs. Offensive Firepower

Louisville’s prolific offense meets Kentucky’s solid defense. The outcome of this battle will likely determine the winner.

4. Emotional Stakes and Rivalry Intensity

With pride and momentum on the line, this year’s Governor’s Cup promises to be an emotional and hard-fought contest.

The Coaches’ Take

Both coaches understand the magnitude of this game. Stoops emphasizes preparation and development, while Brohm focuses on execution and redemption.

“This rivalry means everything to our players and fans,” Stoops said. “It’s about playing with pride.”

Brohm echoed similar sentiments, adding, “We want to finish strong and set the tone for our bowl game.”

Conclusion: A Game of High Stakes and Pride

The Governor’s Cup is more than a game—it’s a statement. For Kentucky, it’s about ending the season on a positive note and giving fans a glimpse of what’s to come with Cutter Boley. For Louisville, it’s about redemption, momentum, and rewriting the script in this storied rivalry.

Saturday’s matchup promises drama, intensity, and unforgettable moments, making it a must-watch for college football fans.