Stein keeps focus on the next game
Will Stein is in his first season as Kentucky's head coach. After the open weekend, he has kept attention on preparing for Tennessee rather than the rankings.
College Football team briefing / WagerBird research desk
Kentucky Wildcats
The matchup. The market. The case for your next move.
Results, schedule and game-day research ·
Season record6–1Won 6 straight
Against the spread6–0At the closing number
Last 5 games
WWWWW
Oldest to newest →Next matchup
Wildcats at Volunteers
Tonightat Volunteers5:15 PM CT 6:15 PM ET
Wildcats +6Total 49.5Wildcats ML +181Kalshi Wildcats 37¢ at 7:48 AM CT Sat 11/7Lines at 7:05 AM CT
Inside the game-day briefing
10Reported player statuses45Projected starters
Read the research and matchup notes Tonight’s Wildcats pick
Wildcats at Volunteers
Sat Nov 7 · 5:15 PM CT · 6:15 PM ET · released and locked
73
Signal strength
3.5 units
Signal strength 73, released before kickoff with its price locked.
73
Tonight’s pick is locked.Game pick · price locked at release
8–0
on Wildcats games this season
100.0%
win rate, 8 graded picks
Every Wildcats pick we have graded is listed below, wins and losses.
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Game-day research
Wildcats at Volunteers preview: what our research says
Kentucky comes out of its open weekend at 6-1 and ranked No. 8. The Wildcats are 3-1 at home and 3-0 on the road, with away wins at Texas A&M, South Carolina and Oklahoma. Their latest result was a 34-17 home win over Vanderbilt.
Will Stein is in his first season as head coach. His message this week has centered on the next game rather than the rankings. Kenny Minchey remains the projected quarterback, with CJ Baxter at running back and Willie Rodriguez at tight end. Jason Patterson and Jovantae Barnes are also in the running-back group. Left tackle Lance Heard returns to face his former Tennessee program.
October included overtime wins against South Carolina and LSU, both finishing 35-34. Against LSU, Baxter scored before Minchey ran for the deciding conversion. The Vanderbilt game required a response after Kentucky trailed 10-0. The Wildcats finished that afternoon with 203 passing yards and 173 rushing yards.
Kentucky is still missing defensive depth. Antwan Smith, Justyn Hartley, Jaden Smith and Grant Grayton are out on the November 6 report. Sam Greene and Isaiah McMillian are probable. The starting lists are projections, and Kentucky's defensive roles do not establish a confirmed on-field combination. Specialist starters were not confirmed in the available information.
Season at time of writing
Kentucky is 6-1 and ranked No. 8, with a 3-1 home record and a 3-0 road record. The Wildcats won 35-34 in overtime against both South Carolina and LSU, then beat Oklahoma 21-13. They recovered from 10-0 down to beat Vanderbilt 34-17 in their latest game.
The news
Heard returns to Tennessee
Lance Heard is projected at left tackle against his former program. Kenny Minchey, CJ Baxter and Willie Rodriguez remain the projected starters at quarterback, running back and tight end.
Overtime execution shaped October
Kentucky won 35-34 in overtime at South Carolina and against LSU. Against LSU, CJ Baxter's touchdown was followed by Kenny Minchey's successful conversion run.
Defensive depth remains limited
Antwan Smith, Justyn Hartley, Jaden Smith and Grant Grayton remain out on the November 6 report. Sam Greene and Isaiah McMillian are probable, with no injury details or recovery timetables supplied.
Injuries
Injury report as of : 4 Wildcats and 6 Volunteers on the report.
Wildcats
- Antwan SmithReason not disclosed; out tonight, with no return date given.Out
- Justyn HartleyReason not disclosed; out tonight, with no return date given.Out
- Jaden SmithReason not disclosed; out tonight, with no return date given.Out
- Grant GraytonReason not disclosed; out tonight, with no return date given.Out
Volunteers
- Ethan DavisSeason-ending injury; diagnosis not disclosed.Out
- Joakim DodsonSeason-ending injury; diagnosis not disclosed.Out
- Jaedon HarmonSeason-ending injury; diagnosis not disclosed.Out
- Edrees FarooqSeason-ending injury; diagnosis not disclosed.Out
- Dylan LewisSeason-ending injury; diagnosis not disclosed.Out
- Wendell Moe Jr.Reported season-ending injury; diagnosis not disclosed.Out
The matchup
Wildcats projected starters
- Kenny MincheyQB
- CJ BaxterRB
- DJ Miller (WR-X)
- Nic Anderson (WR-Z)
- Kenny Darby (WR-F)
- Willie RodriguezTE
- Lance HeardLT
- Olaus AlinenLG
- Coleton PriceC
- Tegra TshabolaRG
- Malachi WoodRT
- Mi'Quise Humphrey-GraceDE
- Tavion GadsonNT
- Jamarrion HarklessDT
- Cedric WorksLOLB
- Elijah BarnesWLB
- Grant GodfreyMLB
- Sam GreeneROLB
- Hasaan SykesLCB
- Ty BryantSS
- Jordan CastellFS
- Terhyon NicholsRCB
- Aaron GatesNB
Volunteers projected starters
- George MacIntyreQB
- DeSean BishopRB
- Radarious Jackson (WR-X)
- Mike Matthews (WR-Z)
- Braylon Staley (slot WR)
- DaSaahn BrameTE
- David Sanders Jr.LT
- Shamurad UmarovLG
- Sam PendletonC
- Donovan HaslamRG
- Jesse PerryRT
- Tyree WeathersbyDE
- Xavier GilliamNT
- Daevin HobbsDT
- Jeremiah TelanderLEO
- Arion CarterWLB
- Amare CampbellMLB
- Kayin LeeLCB
- Dejuan LaneSS
- TJ MetcalfFS
- Ty RedmondRCB
- Qua MossNB
Updated How we grade
Written by the WagerBird research team from our own results, line captures and graded picks. Updated . How we grade →
Wildcats at Volunteers odds and prediction markets
Sportsbook prices at 7:49 AM CTPrices as of : the Wildcats are +5.5 to +6.5 at five sportsbooks and the total is 49.5.
WagerBird earns a commission when you sign up through a sportsbook link on this page. That does not change the prices shown or which one is marked best. Offers are for new customers in states where each sportsbook is licensed; terms apply at the sportsbook.
Prediction markets
Prices at 7:48 AM CT Sat 11/7Kalshi and Polymarket on Wildcats at Volunteers
Wildcats to win costs 37¢ on Kalshi, against +184 at the best sportsbook (FanDuel). A Yes price in cents is the market’s chance in percent; Kalshi’s trading fee is extra.
| Market | Kalshi | Polymarket | Best sportsbook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildcats to win | 37¢37% chance | 36¢36% chance | +184FanDuel |
| Volunteers to win | 68¢68% chance | 67¢67% chance | −205DraftKings |
| Over 49.5 total points | 52¢52% chance | 50¢50% chance | o49.5 −108DraftKings |
Sportsbooks
| Sportsbook | Spread | Money line | Total | Sign up | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildcats | Volunteers | Wildcats | Volunteers | Over | Under | ||
| FanDuel | +5.5−102 | −5.5−120 | +184 | −220 | o49.5−110 | u49.5−110 | Sign up |
| DraftKingsClaim the DraftKings new-customer offer | +6−110 | −6−110 | +170 | −205 | o49.5−108 | u49.5−112 | Sign up |
| BetMGMNJ MI PA WV: Bet $10 Get $150. All other states: $1500 Back in Bonus Bets if You Don't Win Code WAGERBIRD1 | +6.5−110 | −6.5−108 | +175 | −210 | o49.5−108 | u49.5−112 | Sign up |
| CaesarsBet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Wagers Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost Code WBIRD1DYW | +6−112 | −6−108 | +180 | −218 | o49.5−110 | u49.5−110 | Sign up |
| FanaticsNew Customers Get Up To $1,000 Matched In FanCash | +6−110 | −6−110 | +175 | −215 | o49.5−110 | u49.5−110 | Sign up |
BestGreen is the best price at the same line among these five sportsbooks. Prices as of 7:49 AM CT; they move until the start, and each sportsbook shows its live price before you confirm.
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Line movement
at Tennessee VolunteersSat Nov 7 · 5:15 PM CT · 6:15 PM ET
Lines as of : the Wildcats spread is +6, where it opened; the total is 49.5 (opened 50.5).
Wildcats spread+6+6No move
Total50.549.5−1
Wildcats team total22.522.5No move
Wildcats money line+191+181−10
Open, then now.
Results and against the spread
6–1 · 6–0 ATSRecord
6–1
Against the spread
6–0
Form, last 5
WWWWW
Last game
W 34-17vs Commodores
| Date | Game | Result | Spread | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 10/24 | vs Vanderbilt Commodores | W 34-17 | −10 | Covered |
| Sat 10/17 | at Oklahoma Sooners | W 21-13 | +7 | Covered |
| Sat 10/10 | vs LSU Tigers | W 35-34 | +9.5 | Covered |
| Sat 10/3 | at South Carolina Gamecocks | W 35-34 | +2.5 | Covered |
| Sat 9/26 | vs South Alabama Jaguars | W 45-21 | −20.5 | Covered |
Spread is the Wildcats’ closing number. ATS is against the spread at the closing number.
Schedule
vs GatorsFri 11/13 · 11:00 PM CT12:00 AM ET
at TigersFri 11/20 · 11:00 PM CT12:00 AM ET
vs CardinalsFri 11/27 · 11:00 PM CT12:00 AM ET
Our Wildcats picks, graded
Wins and losses8–0 on Wildcats games this season · 100.0%
- 60Full Game Spread: Kentucky Wildcats +6.5 −104Sat 10/17win
- 56Full Game Spread: Kentucky Wildcats +10 −110Sat 10/10win+0.5 pts
- 60Full Game Player Prop: LaNorris Sellers Passing Yards under 245.5 −114Sat 10/3win
- 68Full Game Team Total: Kentucky Wildcats Over 24.5 −108Sat 10/3win+1 pt
- 561st Half Team Total: South Alabama Jaguars Over 7.5 −110Sat 9/26win
- 64Full Game Team Total: South Alabama Jaguars Over 16.5 −112Sat 9/26win
- 79Full Game Game Total: Over 48.5 Sat 9/12win
- 941st Half Game Total: Over 24.5 Sat 9/12win
The orange number is Signal strength. CLV compares our price with the closing price at the same sportsbook; shown when it is in our favor. How we grade
Wildcats questions, answered
Is there a Wildcats pick for this matchup?
Yes. Our Wildcats pick for Wildcats at Volunteers was released before kickoff at Signal strength 73. Unlock it in the Terminal.
What is the Wildcats' record this season?
The Kentucky Wildcats are 6-1: 3-1 at home and 3-0 on the road.
When do the Wildcats play next?
The Wildcats visit the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday, November 7 at 5:15 PM CT (6:15 PM ET).
Who is on the Wildcats injury report?
The Wildcats list Antwan Smith (Out), Justyn Hartley (Out), Jaden Smith (Out), Grant Grayton (Out), Sam Greene (Probable), Isaiah McMillian (Probable).
What matters for the Wildcats against the Volunteers?
Ranked No. 8 Kentucky visits Tennessee (5-2) at 5:15 PM CT after an open weekend. Kentucky's November 6 report lists Sam Greene and Isaiah McMillian as probable, with Antwan Smith, Justyn Hartley, Jaden Smith and Grant Grayton out. Tennessee remains without Ethan Davis and Wendell Moe Jr., among its other absences; running back Javin Gordon has returned but is still recovering from a lower-body injury.
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