Kentucky vs. LSU: National Media Predictions

After upsetting then-No. 10 Florida, Kentucky has gained some respect among the national media. But do the college football experts believe the Cats can go 6-0? Here’s a roundup of predictions for Kentucky vs. LSU tomorrow night.

ESPN Football Power Index: Kentucky

ESPN’s Bill Connelly

Kentucky is capable of almost anything after beating Florida and nearly losing to Chattanooga in the last three weeks, but this game is enormous for an LSU team that is 3-2 and could be a projected underdog for six of its last seven games. Either the Tigers’ season turns around now or it never does.

CBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee: Kentucky -3

The Wildcats offense wasn’t great last week despite the fact that they pulled off the upset over Florida. Their defense, however, was. LSU can’t run the football, has given up even trying and won’t be able to break double-digits this weekend. With that said, as long as quarterback Will Levis doesn’t make mistakes, Mark Stoops’ crew should cruise. Pick: Kentucky (-3)

CBS Sports Staff

College Football News: Kentucky

LSU has the talent and the guys, but Kentucky is going Kentucky again.

The results with the Wildcats are better than the sum of its parts. They don’t have enough of as pass rush, the offense is just okay, and again, those turnovers are pesky – but it all works.

The final stats won’t be great, but the Kentucky pass defense will hold up, LSU won’t run, and somehow it’ll all come out to a 6-0 start.

Prediction: Kentucky 23, LSU 20

The Sporting News’ Bill Bender: Kentucky to win, LSU to cover

We were tempted to take the upset here, but LSU’s inability to run the ball is startling. That will resurface against Kentucky, which ranks third in the SEC in total defense. The Wildcats need more from Will Levis in SEC play to keep this run going, but they are 4-0 ATS against FBS teams this season. 

Pick: Kentucky wins 27-24 but FAILS TO COVER the spread. 

247 Sports’ Chris Hummer: LSU

LSU +3; Everything feels like it’s pushing against LSU right now. So, you know which direction I’m going? Yep, LSU. Kentucky just had one of the biggest wins in program history, and it’s not easy to match that same level of intensity the following week. Throw in the fact LSU, despite a total inability to run the ball consistently, can still create explosive pass plays and I like the Tigers to score enough. … LSU 28, Kentucky 27.

247 Sports’ Brad Crawford: Kentucky

Kentucky -3; There’s just as much pressure on the Wildcats in this spot as the Tigers, who are at the teetering point under Ed Orgeron facing a must-win in Lexington. Kentucky is nationally-ranked for the first time this season and will be playing in front of another sellout crowd in one of the biggest games in program history. With every win this season, Kentucky moves closer to Atlanta and this is one Mark Stoops’ group really needs. … Kentucky 30, LSU 28.

USA Today Staff

Bruce Feldman: Kentucky to win, LSU to cover

No one has managed to get even 400 yards of offense in five games on Mark Stoops’ defense, and the Wildcats have averaged over 235 rushing yards in their three SEC games. This is a team that is really focused right now, but its past six games, all wins, have been decided by seven points or fewer.

Kentucky 28, LSU 27
Pick: LSU +3.5

Stewart Mandel: LSU

Kentucky fans have started dreaming about reaching the College Football Playoff after upsetting Florida and moving to 5-0. I don’t want to be a party pooper, but I’m not sure how realistic it is that the Wildcats can keep winning games 16-10 and 20-13 every week. LSU can’t run the ball at all, but it does have stud receiver Kayshon Boutte.

LSU 23, Kentucky 20
Pick: LSU +3.5

Sports Illustrated Staff

Even Pat Forde’s picking the Cats? Gulp.