Week 9 SEC Game Picks and College Football Best Bets

Oct 21, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Corey Ellington (10) celebrates after a stop against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mississippi State won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Corey Ellington (10) celebrates after a stop against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mississippi State won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
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Joe Milton III #7 of the Tennessee Volunteers
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 14: Joe Milton III #7 of the Tennessee Volunteers waits for the snap against the Texas A&M Aggies in the fourth quarter at Neyland Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

No. 21 Tennessee (-3.5) @ Kentucky (O/U 51.5)

Evan: Kentucky absolutely deserves to be lumped in that cellar SEC group of offenses. They are not a good football team and I think Tennessee comes out angry after blowing an early lead in Tuscaloosa last weekend. Tennessee -3.5

Justin: I’m still not sure how good or bad either of these teams are. Since it’s in Lexington, I’ll go with the Wildcats. Kentucky +3.5

Ethan: I like Kroger and though I’ve never been there, I suspect I’d like Kroger Field. That place is a tough place to play and the environment they’ve fostered there seems to be impressive. Tennessee hasn’t been incredible this year and this will be an interesting test for the Vols on the road. Especially with Tennessee coming off of a rough loss to Alabama. I think Tennessee will win, but it’ll probably be close. Kentucky +3.5

John: Tennessee seems to be putting things together at just the right time to beat Kentucky. It was a disappointing end for the Vols last week, but I think they just have the better team in this matchup. Tennessee -3.5

Andrew: Kentucky doesn’t beat Tennessee. They just don’t. Their defense has been bad against the Veer and Shoot, and UT’s defense can shut them down. Tennessee -3.5

Ryan: Tennessee had a full-blown collapse against Alabama last week but I believe Heupel is a good coach and can make this team bounce back and keep playing at a respectable level. Kentucky has been kind of floundering as of late and I think Tennessee can cover this small line. Tennessee -3.5