Kentucky-Miami point spread dropped after Monday's news

Monday’s Kentucky Football updates and Week 1 depth chart release had implications on the betting line for Saturday’s home opener against Miami-Ohio. Shortly after Mark Stoops and the new two-deep confirmed the absence of Chris Rodriguez and other notable players, including veteran linebacker Jordan Wright, the point spread dropped at every sportsbook with Week 1 college football lines.

For example, the board at Caesars Sportsbook had Kentucky as a 17-point favorite at 11:30 AM Monday morning, moments before Stoops sat down at the podium in Lexington to preview the game ahead. By 12:30 PM, the line moved a full point to 16.

DraftKings’ odds saw an even more significant and immediate line movement upon Monday’s news, moving from 17.5 points at 12:18 PM ET to 16 points by 12:26 PM ET, right in the middle of Stoops’ press conference. DraftKings previously had the line as high as 21 points after spring practice and at 20.5 points at the beginning of fall camp.

Our friends at MyBookie had that same 1.5-point drop on Monday, as did several other gambling avenues and projection sites. Currently, the VegasInsider.com consensus lists the ‘Cats as a 16.5-point favorite against the RedHawks in the first game at Kroger Field in 2022.

The total on the game is 52.5.

Are we doing this?

Now that the betting line is down a full four points from where it was only a month ago, is it time to back the Wildcats? Or did Monday raise even more concerns about an opening game blowout? After all, Miami is picked to win the MAC’s East division and the RedHawks return starting quarterback Brett Gabbert (Blaine’s baby bro) and his 2,648 yards and 26 touchdowns with only six interceptions a year ago.

Yesterday, Stoops said of Gabbert, “He’s just a good football player. We all understand that when you watch a team play and you see a quarterback that’s poised, creative, and does what’s necessary to lead his team, he’s just a very good player. A lot of respect for him.”

Adding to the case for Miami to play Kentucky close, Stoops’ Kentucky teams traditionally let their non-Louisville, non-conference foes hang around longer than they should.

Hammer time

I can’t help it. Excitement is too high. Maybe I’m not seeing clearly but I don’t care.

Cats by 90 (or at the very least, 17).

via GIPHY