Kentucky vs. Missouri: Early point spread released on Wildcats, Tigers

After tremendous starts to the 2023 season, both Kentucky and Missouri hit setbacks on Saturday to lose their first game of the season. Both will be looking to bounce back in the annual game against each other, and the early point spread for the contest has been released.

Kentucky will open as a 2.5-point favorite over Missouri, according to lines released by FanDuel. The over/under is set at 51.5 for the contest.

The Tigers are coming off a heartbreaking loss to LSU after leading most of the way. Missouri simply couldn’t stop dual-threat quarterback Jayden Daniels, though they won’t have to worry about such a threat against Kentucky.

Daniels ran for 130 yards and a touchdown and had several key conversions to move the sticks. He also threw for 259 yards and three touchdowns, torching a suddenly vulnerable Tigers secondary.

But the Tigers did have some answers of their own. Quarterback Brady Cook has been excellent throughout the season and was once again electric in the loss to LSU.

Cook finished the game with 395 yards passing and two touchdowns, but he was picked off twice, including for a touchdown in the game’s final minute. Cook’s interception in the first half was his first in 367 throws, with his 366 tosses without an interception setting a new SEC record.

His ability likely played heavily into the early point spread.

While Missouri has relied heavily on the pass, Kentucky has relied more on the run.

Star tailback Ray Davis has been phenomenal all year but is coming off one of his best outings of the year two weeks ago, with 280 yards and three touchdowns rushing in a big win over Florida.

On the season Davis had logged 594 yards and eight touchdowns heading into a matchup with juggernaut Georgia.

While that meeting didn’t go well for Kentucky, the Wildcats will still have plenty to play for in the annual meeting with Missouri.

Kentucky has won the previous two games in the series and leads the all-time series 9-4.