Auburn (2-5, 0-4 SEC) at Kentucky (3-4, 1-4)
Date and Time: Saturday, 7:45 p.m. (SEC)
Line: Kentucky by 13½ (according to BetMGM College Football Odds)
Series History: Auburn leads 27-6-1.
The visiting Tigers are looking to end a four-game losing streak and revive their dwindling bowl hopes. Coach Hugh Freeze’s squad has struggled to maintain double-digit leads in the fourth quarter against both Oklahoma and Missouri. After starting 3-9 in SEC games, a victory is critical for both Freeze and Auburn. Kentucky, on the other hand, aims to return to .500 after back-to-back defeats to an improving Vanderbilt and Florida. Another loss would significantly diminish the Wildcats’ chances of achieving six wins for bowl eligibility, especially with upcoming matchups against No. 7 Tennessee and No. 5 Texas.
Kentucky boasts the SEC’s fourth-best defense, allowing 283.6 yards per game, but there’s room for improvement after permitting Florida to score on all seven red-zone opportunities, including five rushing touchdowns. Auburn struggled at Missouri, managing only 286 yards and just 22 yards in a scoreless fourth quarter. While the Wildcats have been tough to beat at home, they have shown some vulnerability, letting Vanderbilt score on the first drive of both halves. Auburn has a chance to build early momentum but will need to sustain it.
Auburn QB Payton Thorne has minimized mistakes recently, throwing only one interception in the last two games after several multi-interception outings. To keep the offense moving, he must consistently connect with playmakers like WRs KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Cam Coleman.
Kentucky WR/KR Barion Brown continues to shine, recently returning a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and catching a 45-yard scoring pass against Florida. He holds the SEC record for kickoff return touchdowns with five and is the active NCAA leader. Brown ranks 10th in the SEC for all-purpose yards with 646, averaging 89.43 per game.
Auburn has won its last nine visits to Lexington since 1966. Along with BYU and Vanderbilt, Auburn is one of only three FBS teams with 10 players who have made at least one touchdown catch, tying for the national lead. The Tigers lead the nation with 13 pass plays over 40 yards and rank fifth with an average of 15.04 yards per completion. Kentucky last defeated Auburn 21-17 in 2009. Wildcats LB D’Eryk Jackson is tied for 27th in the SEC with 37 tackles and recorded his fifth career interception two weeks ago against Vanderbilt.
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