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Miami (OH) vs. Kentucky Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 1

By Josh Yourish

Kentucky quarterback Will Levis (7)
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis (7) / Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen /
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The Kentucky Wildcats enter the 2022 season with high expectations as the 20th ranked team in the country. Most of those expectations are tied to Will Levis, their Heisman candidate and potential first-round pick quarterback. Head Coach Mark Stoops leads the Wildcats against Miami (OH) Redhawks in week 1. 

The Cats finished 2021, 10-3 with a Citrus Bowl win over Iowa. The Redhawks went 7-6 a year ago. 

Miami (OH) vs. Kentucky Odds, Spread and Total

Kentucky vs. Miami (OH) State Betting Trends

  • Kentucky went 8-4-1 ATS in 2021
  • Miami (OH) went 6-7 ATS in 2021
  • Kentucky went 4-1 ATS as a home favorite in 2021
  • Miami (OH) went 2-2 ATS as a road underdog in 2021

Miami (OH) vs. Kentucky Prediction and Pick 

Miami (OH) opened the 2021 season by getting blown out by Cincinnati, so it is no stranger to starting off the schedule with a ranked opponent. It is different though to be competitive in those games. The Redhawks were not last year and will have problems with Kentucky’s SEC athleticism. 

However, we know that Kentucky will be looking ahead a week to its annual matchup with Florida. That is a huge game for a Kentucky team that likely thinks it will have an outside shot at a playoff berth this year. That could set up a trap game in Week 1. 

If you add that to the fact that Kentucky will be without its top running back, Chris Rodriguez Jr. who was suspended for an offseason DUI, then the scales start to tip in Miami’s favor. 

Will Levis is too good to let the Redhawks upset his team. He is a legitimate NFL prospect for a reason and has blossomed since transferring from Penn State. He threw for 2,827 yards and 24 touchdowns last year and I expect those numbers to go up. This just feels like a bad spot for Kentucky right off the bat. 

Miami scored 30 points a game last season led by a high-powered passing offense. The Redhawks have their quarterback, Brett Gabbert back and four of their six losses last season came by less than nine points. I think the Redhawks lose, but find a way to cover down in SEC country. 

Pick: Miami (OH) +16.5

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