This Saturday the Kentucky Wildcats will square off against the Louisville Cardinals in a classic instate rivalry game. With a 34-27 win in 2009, Kentucky has now won three straight against Louisville, but must travel to the Cardinals home field this season.

Kentucky finished the 2009 season at 7-6, but were just 3-5 in SEC play. This year the Wildcats welcome in new head coach Joker Phillips, as Rich Brooks decided to call it quits after the end of last season. Phillips doesn’t exactly step into the best situation, as the Wildcats have just 11 starters returning. 

The Cardinals went just 4-8 in 2009, and have completely fallen off the ranks as one of the premier Big East schools. The Cardinals have also made a coaching change, as they welcome in Charlie Strong, who they believe will be the man to get them back on top. Just like Phillips, Strong doesn’t have a lot to work with, as the Cardinals bring back just 12 starters from last season.

If you are looking to make a college football bet on the game this weekend, The Wildcats are 3-point favorites over the Cardinals with the over/under at 49 points.

The key player for the Wildcats is wide out Randall Cobb, who not only led Kentucky with 39 catches for 447 yards and four touchdowns, but he also had 573 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing. While you can expect Cobb to be good, the key for the offense to really turn it up a notch this season will be sophomore quarterback Morgan Newton. If he improves, the Wildcats could really surprise some people next year.

Louisville is hoping that junior running back Victor Anderson will return to his freshman form this season, as he will being a vital part of the Cardinals offense if he stays healthy this season. Last year Anderson led the Cardinals in rushing despite the fact that he played in just eight games and was not 100% in most of those games. The Cardinals may need a huge day out of Anderson, as their defense only has four starters back from last season.

Looking at the Odds: I think you have to go with Kentucky against the spread in this one, as the team that has rushed for the most yards in this game has now won 10 straight. Unless Anderson goes crazy, I think the Wildcats will control the ground game and the clock and win this game by a touchdown. I like the game to go under the total of 49 points, as I think both teams are going to really eat up the clock with some long possessions running the football.  If you want to know my opinion on other games this weekend, take a look at our latest college football articles.

If you are interested in making some money gambling on the college football odds this season, be sure to stop back each week for our expert college football picks, from top handicappers.