As the Kentucky Wildcats gear up to begin their 2024 football season, all eyes are on their Saturday night showdown at Kroger Field against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Kentucky enters the game as a heavy favorite, with oddsmakers giving the Wildcats a 27.5-point edge over Southern Miss, and recent history suggests that Kentucky has a strong chance of covering the spread once again.
Kentucky has been a profitable team to back in season openers, especially when playing at home as a double-digit favorite. Since 2019, the Wildcats have consistently delivered for bettors in non-conference home openers, covering the spread in each of their last four such matchups:
- 2019: Kentucky (-11) vs. Toledo | Wildcats 38, Rockets 24
- 2021: Kentucky (-31) vs. ULM | Wildcats 45, Warhawks 10
- 2022: Kentucky (-15) vs. Miami (Ohio) | Wildcats 37, RedHawks 13
- 2023: Kentucky (-25) vs. Ball State | Wildcats 44, Cardinals 14
This impressive track record, coupled with Kentucky’s 12-6 record against the spread (ATS) as a double-digit favorite since 2019, provides strong evidence that the Wildcats could cover the large 27.5-point spread set for this weekend’s game against Southern Miss.
The matchup between Kentucky and Southern Miss marks the third time in nine seasons that these two teams have faced off in a season opener. The previous two encounters saw each team claim a victory. In 2016, Southern Miss stunned Kentucky with a 44-35 comeback win after trailing by 25 points. The Wildcats, however, avenged that loss the following year with a 24-17 victory in Hattiesburg. Since that 2016 defeat, Kentucky has gone on to dominate teams from the Group of Five, winning 20 consecutive games against such opponents.
Kentucky is entering its 12th season under head coach Mark Stoops, and the 2024 campaign looks promising. The Wildcats return a significant number of key players, particularly on defense, where nearly all of last season’s starters are back. On offense, Kentucky will benefit from the return of several key contributors, including new quarterback Brock Vandagriff, who transferred in to lead the Wildcats’ attack.
Southern Miss, meanwhile, is in its fourth season under head coach Will Hall. The Golden Eagles have struggled in recent years, posting a 13-24 record since 2021, including consecutive 3-9 seasons. The team is looking to bounce back with new quarterback Tate Rodemaker leading the offense, but they face a daunting task against a Kentucky team that has been nearly unbeatable against non-conference opponents at home.
As the Wildcats prepare to take the field on Saturday night, fans and bettors alike are optimistic about Kentucky’s chances of starting the season on a high note. With a strong returning roster and a history of success in season openers, Kentucky looks poised to extend its streak of dominance over mid-major non-conference opponents and cover the spread in the process.
The game is set to kick off at 7:45 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on the SEC Network and ESPN+, with Kentucky looking to continue its profitable trend in season openers and give fans at Kroger Field another reason to cheer.
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