Top NCAAF Pick: Louisville -7 (-108) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
It’s rivalry week on the college football schedule, with matchups like Bluegrass State rivals Kentucky and Louisville part of our handicapper’s best bets for week 13.
Kentucky Wildcats vs. Louisville Cardinals
Saturday, November 25, 2023 – 12:00 PM ET at Cardinal Stadium
Nice little game to get Saturday started: the Governor’s Cup from the Bluegrass State. Going against the Michigan-Ohio State game in the same early time slot, it’s a shame many folks will miss this year’s collision between Kentucky and Louisville.
Last 5 in Lexington Cash ‘Over’ Slips
That’s because the Wildcats and Cardinals should put on a good show, not that the Wolverines or Buckeyes won’t. Louisville is favored by a touchdown at the top sportsbooks, and it will be interesting to see if that goes to 7½ at some point during the week.
You’d think that an in-state rivalry that was first played 111 years ago would have more than 34 total meetings, but the Wildcats and Cardinals didn’t really get into it until more recent times with 28 of those matchups taking place in the last 30 years. Kentucky has won and covered the last 4 –and the last 3 played in Lexington– to take a 19-15 lead in the series, and 7 of the last 10 went past the totals.
The Ville 5-1 ATS at Home
Turnovers were Kentucky’s undoing last Saturday at South Carolina, and after battling back from a 10-0 deficit, the Wildcats dropped a 17-14 decision for their fifth loss in 6 games. Louisville had an easy draw on the ACC schedule this season without either Florida State or Clemson, but the Cardinals will get a shot at the Seminoles in the ACC Championship.
Would a victory over FSU be enough to boost the Cardinals in the eyes of the CFP Committee? Maybe, but it wouldn’t hurt to enjoy a comfortable win and cover against Kentucky. Lay the points and get behind Louisville.
NCAAF Pick: Louisville -7 (-108) at Heritage Sports
Colorado Buffaloes vs. Utah Utes
November 25, 2023 – 03:00 PM ET at Rice-Eccles Stadium
It’s the final matchup of the rivalry between Colorado and Utah, at least as Pac-12 opponents. The next time the Buffaloes and Utes get together, it will be as Big 12 foes, with the scheduling format and details for what will be a 16-team conference intriguing.
Will Sanders Be Under Center for Buffs?
A quick check of the NCAAF odds board finds Utah backers being asked to give up a hook more than three touchdowns, with the total listed at 52½.
Colorado is coming off its fifth consecutive loss, and seventh in eight games, to make that exciting 3-0 start to the campaign all but forgotten. Adding injury to the insult of the blowout loss to Washington State was QB Shedeur Sanders getting mauled and having to leave the game early. He’s listed as questionable to face the Utes.
Utah has taken a tumble in recent weeks as well, falling for the second straight time last Saturday at Arizona. It was the Utes’ third loss in the last four games, allowing 900 yards combined in the losses to Washington and Arizona, well above their season average (312 YPG).
Utes Look to Extend Streak in Rivalry to 7
The Buffaloes and Utes met 57 times from 1903-1962, then the rivalry died until Colorado joined the Pac-12. Utah has won the last 6, and 10 of the 12 Pac-12 matchups, covering five of the games during the current streak, each time as the favorite. Utah should have this one covered by halftime, or at least early in the third. Once again, lay the points on the home favorite.
NCAAF Pick: Utah -21½ (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Kansas Jayhawks vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
Saturday, November 25, 2023 – 07:30 PM ET at Nippert Stadium
A couple of teams that could be on the slate for Colorado and Utah next year are Kansas and Cincinnati, who are just now getting to know each other as Big 12 rivals.
KU & Cincy Meeting for 3rd Time
It’s their first meeting in more than a quarter-century and just the third time the Jayhawks and Bearcats will collide on a gridiron. They split the two meetings in 1995 and 1997, each winning on their home field.
Kansas is showing -6 to -6½, and there’s some wiggle room in the total as well at 57½-58½. The Jayhawks are a level 5-5-1 O/U/P on the season while the Bearcats are 7-4 O/U.
Bean Expected to Play For Kansas
Kansas is coming off a couple of disappointing home losses, the Jayhawks coming up short in a rally against Texas Tech two weeks ago for a 16-13 and then blowing an 11-point lead last week to drop a 31-27 decision to rival Kansas State.
The Jayhawks were without QB Jason Bean (concussion) against K-State, but the good news is the senior is expected to be ready to take on Cincinnati. Bean’s presence should help push this one past the total for the final free pick.
NCAAF Pick: Over 51½ (-110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.