Venue & Game Details
Location: Kroger Field, Lexington, KY
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN / ESPN+ streaming
Weather Forecast: Clear skies, kickoff temps in the low 70s dropping into the mid-60s, light winds 5–8 mph – perfect fall football weather
Team Recent Form
Texas Longhorns:
Last game: Beat Oklahoma 23–6 in the Red River Rivalry.
Trend: Offense averaging 28.5 PPG, defense allowing just 11.0 PPG (3rd nationally).
Strength: Top-10 defense in total yards (260.5 YPG).
Kentucky Wildcats:
Last game: Lost 35–14 to Georgia.
Trend: Offense averaging 24.4 PPG (94th nationally), defense allowing 27.8 PPG (96th nationally).
Struggles: Passing game ranks 116th nationally (172.2 YPG).
Injury Report
Texas: No major injuries reported; QB Arch Manning and RB Quintrevion Wisner healthy.
Kentucky: QB Zach Calzada (shoulder) remains sidelined; Cutter Boley starting (627 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs).
Key Player Matchups
QB Arch Manning (Texas): 1,317 yards, 12 TDs, 5 INTs, 63% completion; also 194 rushing yards, 5 TDs.
RB Quintrevion Wisner (Texas): 94 yards vs. Oklahoma; steady ground option.
WR Parker Livingstone (Texas): 308 yards, 3 TDs – deep threat.
QB Cutter Boley (Kentucky): 627 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs – young starter under pressure.
RB Seth McGowan (Kentucky): 431 yards, 7 TDs – Wildcats’ offensive focal point.
WR Kendrick Law (Kentucky): 174 yards, 1 TD – top receiving option.
Series History
Texas leads the all-time series 2–0.
Last meeting (2024): Texas won in Austin.
This is the first-ever trip to Lexington for the Longhorns.
Betting Trends:
Texas is 2-4 ATS this season, 1-2 ATS as a double-digit favorite.
Kentucky is 2-3 ATS, 1-1 ATS as a double-digit underdog.
The Under has hit in 4 of 6 Texas games and 3 of 5 Kentucky games.
Historical Betting Results
Texas has covered in 1 of last 3 games.
Kentucky has failed to cover in 2 of last 3 games.
Average combined score in last 3 Texas games: 41.0 points (under line).
Average combined score in last 3 Kentucky games: 49.3 points (slightly over).
Score Projection: Texas 27 – Kentucky 13
Summary
This SEC clash pits Texas’s elite defense and rising QB Arch Manning against Kentucky’s struggling offense led by freshman Cutter Boley. The Longhorns’ defense ranks top-5 nationally in scoring and rushing defense, while Kentucky’s passing game is among the worst in the SEC. Expect Texas to control the game with defense and a balanced attack, while Kentucky leans on RB Seth McGowan to keep it respectable.
Game Odds
Texas Longhorns – 12.5
Kentucky Wildcats 43.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 17, 2025
