National Media Predictions for Kentucky vs Missouri

The Wildcats will travel to Columbia for a much-needed win Saturday at Noon on the SEC Network. Before the action begins, here is how various members of the national media believe the Kentucky vs. Missouri game will unfold.

ESPN Power Ratings

ESPN FPI: 50.4% winning percent for the Wildcats

SP+: Kentucky wins by 4.2

ESPN PickCenter: Missouri 20.7, Kentucky 20.0

Barrett Sallee, CBS Sports

“The Wildcats have struggled to run the football all season while quarterback Will Levis has failed living up to the hype, and that’ll cost them on Saturday in a loss to the Tigers. Missouri is fresh off of a win at South Carolina that saw its defense hold the Gamecocks to 3.83 yards per play. Coach Eli Drinkwitz said after that game that “defense travels,” but it won’t have to this weekend. The third-year Tigers coach will lead Missouri to its third straight conference win and save what once seemed like a lost season.”

Prediction: Missouri +1.5

Yahoo Sports

“Will Levis is gutting it out, but he’s really hurt. His toughness is a plus for the pro scouts to see, but it’s going to be a problem against a sneaky-amazing Missouri defense that hasn’t allowed 300 yards of total offense in any of the last three games and in four of the last five,” Pete Fiutak writes.

“All three Kentucky losses came when it allowed more than 140 yards. Missouri will run for 140, the D will come up with two takeaways, and the secondary should hold up just enough against a game Levis to get the upset.”

Prediction: Missouri +1.5

Sports Illustrated

Three out of five experts agree: Kentucky will squeak by with a win in CoMo. You’ll never believe who Missouri-grad Pat Forde picked.

College Football News

“Missouri can play Kentucky’s game – it’s great at slowing things down a bit and controlling the clock.

“It’s going to be about the turnovers. Kentucky has given it up multiple times in five of the last six games, and Missouri has forced two takeaways in three of the last four games.

“Can the Tigers keep the mistakes to a minimum after giving it up seven times against Florida and Vanderbilt? Kentucky doesn’t do enough to force turnovers.”

Prediction: Missouri 20, Kentucky 17

Saturday Down South

Kentucky and Missouri is a game made for 11 a.m. You know it’s a truly even matchup when the teams have scored exactly the same number of points. If you like defense, you will probably enjoy this game. And while Kentucky is a mild favorite, in a defense-heavy game it could well come down to a field-goal-kicking contest, which bodes well for Missouri. We’ll take Mizzou 15-12 in a game featuring only field goals. Think otherwise? Have you watched either of these offenses?

CFB Graphs