Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Kentucky Wildcats 8/31/24 – Southern Miss is kicking off NCAAF Week 1 as they take on Kentucky in what promises to be an exciting matchup as the country welcomes college football again. The buzz among fans and bettors is palpable as the Southern Miss Golden Eagles prepare to take on Kentucky Wildcats at their own Kroger Field. The match is set for Saturday and will be aired on SECN. Having had differences in the previous seasons, this game is the defining moment of their respective seasons and is bound to give the followers of the sport a good dose of daily college football tips.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Kentucky Wildcats 8/31/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 7:45 PM ET |
| Where: | Kroger Field |
| TV: | SECN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Southern Miss Golden Eagles (3-9 Last season) vs. Kentucky Wildcats (7-6 Last season)
The offense mainly operates through the combination of Ethan Crawford at the quarterback and Rodrigues Clark at the back. In the last season, Crawford completed around 47.2% of the passes and accumulated only 240 passing yards in a few games’ worth of playtime. However, Clark’s performance as a running back is a ray of light, with 429 rushing yards on a stout average of 5.6 yards per rush attempt. The ability of the two to pass and open the defenses will be very important. Highlighting their challenge is the looming Colorado State vs Texas matchup, where defensive robustness could mirror the hurdles Southern Miss will face against Kentucky’s sturdy lineup.
On the other hand, the Wildcats’ offense is built around quarterback Devin Leary mquiring the strongest of strong-armed quarterbacks. Leary netted 2747 yards and 25 touchdowns last season, showing that he is capable of tearing us apart. His partnership with Dane Key, who has 636 receiving yards, is among the top ten most important aspects of Kentucky’s scheme. Key possesses the knack for catching long balls making him a perfect match for Leary’s downfield attack. As Kentucky prepares for this matchup, parallels drawn from the Akron against Ohio State game may give insights into exploiting Southern Miss’s defensive frailties, particularly given their struggle against teams with potent aerial attacks.
Ethan Crawford QB vs. Devin Leary QB
Ethan Crawford of Southern Miss confronted the challenges in the position as demonstrated by his completion percentage of a lowly 47.2% and a total of three touchdowns. Despite these rather low statistics, Crawford still has a capability for a competent pass game, with the best long pass hitting 44 yards. Nevertheless, his record has also been tarnished by the nine (9) sacks that he had last season, which means if he would like to advance his performances this season, his line will have to protect him better.
Devin Leary had a statically good season for Kentucky, although it was less marked by Leary. Unlike Crawford and with a better season record, Leary was able to record a completion percentage of 56.3% towering a better touchdown-to-interception ratio of 5:2. He possesses noteworthy skills in throwing the ball and quick decision making with the defense which makes him a very dangerous player on the field.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Kentucky Wildcats -24 -110, Total Odds: 52.5
The current betting odds reflect the disparity between the two teams. With Kentucky favored by 24 points, the expectations are tilted heavily towards a dominant performance by the Wildcats. The total over 52.5 suggests that a high-scoring game is anticipated, possibly driven by Kentucky’s offensive capabilities.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles Betting Trends
Southern Miss has had a tough time covering spreads, with a 3-8 ATS record in their recent games. The total has gone OVER in 5 of their last 6 games, indicating their games tend to be high-scoring, often due to their defensive struggles. This trend might continue unless there’s significant improvement on the defensive end.
Kentucky Wildcats Betting Trends
Kentucky’s recent betting trends show a mixed bag with a 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games played in August, suggesting they start their seasons strong. The total going OVER in most of their recent games also aligns with the expected high-scoring affair, especially given their offensive strengths.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Kentucky Wildcats 8/31/24 Betting Picks
Some trends viewed for analysis and betting suggest that a wiser move would be placed on Kentucky covering the spread. The Southern Miss undermanned roster that includes defenses and offense should get the better of the Southern Miss team, particularly on home soil. The over on total points as well seems workable mostly due to the tendencies of both teams to play in high-scoring games.
As for the prop bets, it seems that the value could lie in betting on such players as Devin Leary for touchdown passes. The best pick remains backing Kentucky for a substantial win, alongside inclusive over considering total points on both teams. For those looking into deeper sports handicapping insights, the quarterback situation and offensive moves will be instrumental in determining the expected score and performance.