Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs Kentucky Wildcats Prediction, 8/31/2024 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs Kentucky Wildcats

Date: Saturday, August 31, 2024

Location: Kroger Field in Lexington, KY

TV: SEC NETWORK

Odds/Point Spread: Wildcats (-28)

Total/Over-Under: 50.5

The Kentucky Wildcats (7-6 last year) will take on the Southern Miss Golden Eagles (3-9 last season) at Kroger Field on Saturday, August 31, 2024. Southern Miss opens this contest as 28.0-point dogs. The over/under is set at 50.5.

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles ended the season having a 3-9 record. The last time they stepped onto the field, the Golden Eagles faced the Troy Trojans and walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 35-17. On the ground, the Golden Eagles gave up 108 yards on 32 attempts, which is an average of 3.4 yds per run surrendered. Southern Miss gave up 22 pass completions on 35 attempts for 319 yards, and a completion percentage of 62.9%. For the game, they had 65 plays which converted into 286 yards. The Southern Miss Golden Eagles ran the rock 42 different times and recorded 154 yds, which came out to an average of 3.7 yards per carry.

Regarding scoring points, the Southern Miss Golden Eagles held an average of 23.2 points per game. As a unit they had an average of 162.8 yds via the ground game, which was 58th in the nation. The Golden Eagles racked up 4,241 total yards over the course of last season. Southern Miss earned 16 touchdowns via the pass and 16 touchdowns on the ground. Southern Miss accrued 242 1st downs as an offense, and they were hurt by 76 infractions for 578 yds. They surrendered the football 16 different times.

In terms of passing yards, the Golden Eagles gave up 2,904 yds which had them ranked 80th in college football. Over the course of their 12 games played last season, they conceded 242.0 yards per outing via the pass and surrendering a completion percentage of 58.3%. They surrendered 420.8 yards per game which ranked them 112th in D-1. They conceded 23 passing touchdowns as well as 28 rushing touchdowns. They allowed 5.1 yards per tote and 178.8 rushing yards per game throughout last season. Over the course of last year, they allowed 2,146 rushing yards through 12 contests. The Golden Eagles sat in 128th in college football concerning team defense, allowing 35.8 points per game.

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The Wildcats ended the year having a 7-6 mark. When they last stepped on the field, the Wildcats took a loss by a score of 38-35 when they faced the Clemson Tigers. The Wildcats ended up finishing with 398 yds on 51 plays (7.8 yds per play). Kentucky ran the ball for 4.0 yards per carry, totaling 92 yds on 23 attempts. Kentucky relinquished 39 rushing attempts for 103 yards (2.6 yds per carry). The Wildcats passing defense gave up a completion percentage of 73.2%, relinquishing 264 yds on 30 for 41 through the air.

When it comes to their ability to score points, the Wildcats earned a ranking of 58th in Division 1 averaging 29.1 points per outing. The Kentucky Wildcats maintained an average of 339.5 yards/contest, which was good for 100th in the country. The Kentucky offense accrued 660 yds of penalties on 79 infractions, which had them ranked 51st in the nation in terms of hurting your team. They threw 12 interceptions while allowing opponents to recover 8 fumbles and they recorded 221 1st downs. Last season, the Wildcats had a total of 2,751 yards through the air in addition to an average of 211.6 throwing yards per contest, which had them ranked 85th in Division 1. They held an average of 127.8 run yards per game and toted the ball for 1,661 yards for the year.

The Wildcats relinquished 25.8 points per contest, which put them in 62nd in college football. Kentucky gave up a total of 1,470 yards via the ground game (113.1 yards per outing) as well as 20 touchdowns by way of the ground game last season. In total, they gave up 335 points in total. They conceded 20 touchdowns via the pass and 240.5 yards per contest, ranking them 93rd in the country. The Wildcats defense participated in 880 plays, which ranked them 88th in Division 1. Their defense compiled 7 fumbles recovered and 10 interceptions for the prior year.

Who will win tonight's Golden Eagles/Wildcats college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Wildcats -28.0

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