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The No. 8 Kentucky Wildcats (3-0) will battle the Northern Illinois Huskies (1-2) at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky.
Kentucky vs. Northern Illinois Odds
Point Spread
The spread for this matchup is set at 26.5 points, with oddsmakers listing Kentucky as the favorites.
Moneyline
As for the moneyline, Kentucky has -3797 odds to pick up the win, while Northern Illinois is listed at +1325 to claim victory.
Over/Under
Finally, the over/under for the game is set at 54 points.
Game Info
How to Watch Kentucky vs. Northern Illinois Live?
- Game Day: Saturday, September 24, 2022
- Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN2
- Location: Lexington, Kentucky
- Stadium: Kroger Field
Betting Preview
Kentucky
Kentucky ranks 91st in total offense this year (368.3 yards per game), but has been thriving on the other side of the ball, ranking 14th-best in the FBS with 368.3 yards allowed per game. Kentucky ranks 75th in points scored this season (31.3 points per game), but has been thriving on defense, ranking 13th-best in the FBS with 9.7 points allowed per game. Kentucky ranks 26th in passing yards this season (294.0 per game), but has been playing really well on defense, ranking 13th-best in the FBS with 152.0 passing yards allowed per game. While Kentucky’s run defense ranks 38th with 101.7 rushing yards allowed per game, the offense has been worse, ranking ninth-worst (74.3 rushing yards per game). Defensively, Kentucky has been a top-25 unit in terms of third-down efficiency, ranking second-best by giving up a 17.5% third-down conversion rate. The team’s offense ranks 83rd (37.5% third-down conversion rate). Kentucky has forced four total turnovers (71st in the FBS) this season and have turned it over five times (72nd in the FBS) for -1a turnover margin of -1, 100th-ranked in college football.
Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois’ defense has been a bottom-25 unit in total defense this season, ceding 432.7 total yards per game, which ranks 22nd-worst. On the offensive side of the ball, it ranks 90th with 372.7 total yards per contest. Northern Illinois’ defense has been bottom-25 in scoring defense this season, conceding 34.3 points per game, which ranks 24th-worst in the FBS. On the offensive side of the ball, it ranks 68th with 32.3 points per contest. Northern Illinois’ defense has been bottom-25 in pass defense this season, surrendering 284.3 passing yards per game, which ranks 13th-worst in the FBS. On the offensive side of the ball, it ranks 92nd with 218.0 passing yards per contest. Northern Illinois is accumulating 154.7 rushing yards per contest on offense this season (82nd-ranked). Meanwhile, it is surrendering 148.3 rushing yards per contest (76th-ranked) on defense. Northern Illinois’ defense has been a bottom-25 unit on third down this season, allowing a 53.8% third-down conversion percentage, which ranks ninth-worst in the FBS. Offensively, it ranks 36th with a 53.8% third-down rate. Northern Illinois has a top-25 turnover margin this season, ranking 22nd-best at +3.
Kentucky vs. Northern Illinois Betting Analysis
Kentucky Betting Insights
Kentucky has covered the spread three times over three games with a set spread. Kentucky has a perfect 1-0 ATS record when playing as at least 26.5-point favorites. This season, Kentucky games have yet to hit the over once. The Wildcats have been the moneyline favorite just two other times so far this season, and they won both of the games. The Wildcats have played as a moneyline favorite of -3797 or shorter in just one game this season, which they won.
Huskies Betting Insights
Northern Illinois has put together a record of 1-2-0 against the spread this year. Every game involving Northern Illinois has hit the over so far this season. The Huskies lost the only game they’ve played as the underdog this season. The Huskies have played as an underdog of +1325 or more once this season and won that game.
Kentucky vs. Northern Illinois Against The Spread & Betting Records
Kentucky
| Overall | Home | Away | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Total AVG | 52.2 | 52.0 | 52.5 |
| Implied Total AVG | 34.7 | 37.5 | 29.0 |
| ATS Record | 3-0-0 | 2-0-0 | 1-0-0 |
| Over/Under Record | 0-3-0 | 0-2-0 | 0-1-0 |
| Moneyline Favorite Record | 2-0 | 2-0 | 0-0 |
| Moneyline Underdog Record | 1-0 | 0-0 | 1-0 |
Huskies
| Overall | Home | Away | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Total AVG | 59.0 | 57.0 | 63.0 |
| Implied Total AVG | 37.0 | 38.0 | 35.0 |
| ATS Record | 1-2-0 | 0-2-0 | 1-0-0 |
| Over/Under Record | 3-0-0 | 2-0-0 | 1-0-0 |
| Moneyline Favorite Record | 0-1 | 0-1 | 0-0 |
| Moneyline Underdog Record | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-1 |
Players to Watch
Kentucky
- J.J. Weaver has hit the gridiron for three games, amassing 1.0 sack to go with 13 tackles for the Wildcats.
- The Wildcats’ defensive unit has been helped by the contributions of Jordan Wright, who has played three games and posted 1.0 sack to go with 1.0 TFL, three tackles, and one interception.
- As part of the Wildcats’ defensive unit, Jacquez Jones has totaled eight tackles, 1.0 TFL, and one sack in three games.
- An important part of the Wildcats’ defense, Keidron Smith has one interception to go with four tackles and one pass defended in three games.
Huskies
- C.J. Brown has been doing his part on defense, amassing 21 tackles for the Huskies.
- The Huskies’ Daveren Rayner has posted 21 tackles in three games.
- JaVaughn Byrd has been providing a big boost on defense, compiling 14 tackles for the Huskies.
- On defense, Eric Rogers has piled up three tackles, 1.0 TFL, and two interceptions in three games.
Kentucky vs. Northern Illinois Predictions and Pick
Kentucky vs. Northern Illinois betting card
- Pick ATS:
Huskies (+26.5)
Pick OU:
Over (54)
How to Bet on Kentucky vs. Northern Illinois
You can bet on Kentucky vs. Northern Illinois at every legal online sportsbook. For more college football odds, including moneylines, spreads, over/under totals as well as college football prop odds, check out the latest college football lines as well as our guide to the best college football betting sites.
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Our prediction to win this game is Kentucky, and we predict that Northern Illinois will cover the spread (Kentucky -26.5). Finally, we see the scoring in this one going over the posted total of 54 points.