What bettors need to know: Kentucky at Louisville

Kentucky Wildcats at Louisville Cardinals (-12.5, 42)

Louisville will try to win its second straight Governor’s Cup against Kentucky on Sunday after losing the previous four. The Cardinals tied for the Big East title last season and have a lot of talent back to make a run for a BCS bowl game. Louisville won five of its last six regular-season games as quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, the Big East Rookie of the Year, came of age. Bridgewater won’t have his top receiver Michaelee Harris, lost for the season with a knee injury, but the Cardinals have depth at the position.

Kentucky will likely face a very solid defense, which has six starters returning, without Josh Clemons. The tailback had arthroscopic knee surgery last week. Still, the pressure is squarely on Louisville. Kentucky leads the series 14-10 and has won five straight season openers overall.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: Louisville -13

KENTUCKY (2011: 5-7, 2-6 SEC): The Wildcats beat Ole Miss, Tennessee and gave Georgia a scare in their last four games to squeeze something out of a disappointing season. When Clemons returns, Kentucky could have a solid one-punch at running back with CoShik Williams, who had a team-leading 486 yards in 2011. Sophomore Maxwell Smith won the battle for the quarterback spot. The team’s most productive returning player - La’Rod King (40 receptions, 598 yards) - will make his job easier. The Wildcats allowed 24.7 points per contest last year and have lost some key personnel on defense. Others must step up, especially defensive back Martavius Neloms.

LOUISVILLE (2011: 7-6, 5-2 Big East): If the Cardinals can match last season’s solid efforts on defense, they are the definite frontrunner in the Big East. Louisville was second in the Big East in total defense and 10th in the nation in rushing defense in 2011. The Cardinals lost some key performers, but have talented safety Hakeem Smith, cornerback Adrian Bushell and linebacker Preston Brown to lead the way. Coach Charlie Strong is expecting Bridgewater to progress after throwing 14 touchdown passes and being intercepted 12 times. Converted quarterback Dominique Brown should be able to take some pressure off at running back as well.

TRENDS

*Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Louisville.
*Under is 9-0 in Cardinals’ last nine home games.
*Underdog is 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings.
*Road team is 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings.

EXTRA POINTS
 
1. Louisville must replace their starting punter and place kicker.

2. Kentucky was 118th in total offense last season at less than 260 yards per game.

3. The Under is 9-0 in Louisville’s last nine home games.

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Posted by crabbycabby
9 months ago

Finally, a stadium where even the players are allowed to smoke cigarettes. Take that draconian California anti-tobacco laws!
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Posted by crabbycabby
9 months ago

Are they gonna play on horses, like football-polo? Now that's a sport.
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Posted by crabbycabby
9 months ago

I'm gonna enjoy all those dunks over the goal posts.
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Posted by ak7fan57
9 months ago

I lived in Louisville for 12 years this Rivalry is one of the biggest in the country. This is Kentucky's Bowl game and always comes out fired up for this game. This is a good game to go watch and enjoy.
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Posted by yanks27
9 months ago

Louisville in a "BEAT DOWN"......Kentucky has been nothing more than the door for the SEC. the last 30 plus years...One of the worst teams in the country on both sides of the ball. With that said Louisville is on the upswing under Coach Strong & will make quick work of Kentucky... Lay the points, will not be close...
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Top Response

Posted by ak7fan57
9 months ago

" I lived in Louisville for 12 years this Rivalry is one of the biggest in the country. This is Kentucky's Bowl game and always comes out fired up for this game. This is a good game to go watch and enjoy."

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Featured Free Play
MLB: LA Dodgers vs. NY Yankees
Pick:
LA Dodgers
Start:
June 18, 2013 - 7:05 PM
Capper:
Bryan Power
Offered at:
5dimes @ 104 LA Dodgers
Analysis:

1* LA Dodgers (7:05 ET):  Just a short two-game set between two of the higher profile teams in MLB here, and neither has been playing well lately.  The Dodgers come in having lost six of eight while the Yankees are 1-5 last six. I give the road team the edge in this one, mainly because Hyun-Jin Ryu will be pitching.

Ryu comes in with a 1.59 ERA his last three starts and a 0.970 WHIP.  He's allowed just four runs in 22+ IP & is 6-2 w/ a 2.85 ERA in 13 starts for the year. Starting on 5+ days rest, as he is here, Ryu is 3-0 with a 2.03 ERA this season. Despite owning a 14-7 record vs. lefties, the Yankees are averaging just 3.3 runs in those games, so that record is a bit misleading.  Also, the Yankees are averaging just 2.7 runs the last nine games while batting below .200.

Phil Hughes has a 6.52 ERA at home this season.  The last two times Hughes has started here, the Yankees have lost by a combined score of 23-3. He walked a career-worst five batters his last time out.  Also, the team is 7-12 at home off a one-run win since the start of last season.  1* LA Dodgers.
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