Kentucky owns strong track record in SEC openers

Many were surprised when Kentucky opened as a 9.5 point favorite over South Carolina this week. That number quickly reached double digits and is now sitting at 10.5 at multiple sportsbooks. The Cats are a two-possession SEC favorite for the seventh time in the last six seasons. Kentucky is 5-1 outright and 3-3 against the spread in those meetings.

But this is the first time one of those situations has occurred in September. That is typically when Kentucky produces one of its best games of the season. Removing the COVID-19 season — since non-conference were not played — Kentucky has been cash in the first SEC game of the season under Mark Stoops.

• 2013 | No. 20 Florida at Kentucky (+11) | Gators 24, Cats 7
• 2014 | Kentucky (+18) at Florida | Gators 36, Cats 30 (3OT)
• 2015 | Kentucky (+7) at South Carolina | Cats 26, Gamecocks 22
• 2016 | Kentucky (+16) at Florida | Gators 45, Cats 7
• 2017 | Kentucky (+5) at South Carolina | Cats 23, Gamecocks 13
• 2018 | Kentucky (+13) at No. 25 Florida | Cats 27, Gators 16
• 2019 | No. 9 Florida at Kentucky (+8) | Gators 29, Cats 21
• 2021 | Missouri at Kentucky (-5) | Cats 35, Tigers 28
• 2022 | Kentucky (+6) at No. 12 Florida | Cats 26, Gators 16
• 2023 | Kentucky (-13) at Vanderbilt | Cats 45, Commodores 28

The Wildcats are 6-4 outright in this situation but have won five of the last six since the program’s current bowl streak started. Kentucky is 7-2-1 ATS with four outright upset wins. Most of these games have occurred against South Carolina and Florida. Mark Stoops is 5-1 outright in September against South Carolina. The only loss came before the Wildcats moved Lynn Bowden Jr. to quarterback in 2019.

Shane Beamer has led South Carolina to some upset during his tenure but is just 3-5 ATS as a road dog of a touchdown or more with only one outright upset.

The trends point to a Kentucky win on Saturday afternoon at Kroger Field.

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