Betting sites favor the Virginia Tech Hokies by 2.5 points over the Kentucky Wildcats, as the spread goes for the 2019 Belk Bowl on December 31, with kickoff scheduled for 12:00 p.m. EST, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Kentucky Wildcats vs. Virginia Tech Hokies 2019 Belk Bowl Odds by MyBookie.ag
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | +2½ (-110) | 46½ (-110) | +115 |  |
| Virginia Tech | -2½ (-110) | 46½ (-110) | -135 | |
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Betting Kentucky Wildcats
The Wildcats finished the regular season 7-5 SU (3-5 in SEC play) and 9-3 ATS, according to the best online sportsbooks. Starting QB Sawyer Smith is 57 of 125 (45.6%) for 690 yards with four TDs, five picks, and eight sacks. wide receiver Lynn Bowden has 30 receptions for 348 yards and one TD. UK has the fifth-worst passing offense in the country (117.1 yards per game). Oddly, Bowden also leads the team with 1235 rushing yards and 11 TDs on 151 carries. Kentucky has the fourth-best rushing offense with 274.4 yards per game. The Wildcats 84th-ranked scoring offense (26.3 ppg) averaged 44.3 points per game in the last three games of the season.
Defensive end Calvin Taylor has 7.5 sacks, linebacker DeAndre Square has 68 tackles, and safety Jordan Griffin has two interceptions. UK ranks 20th in total defense (324.3 ypg) and fourth in pass defense (172.7 ypg). Kentucky’s 12th-ranking scoring defense (18.4 ppg) has held opponents to 14 or fewer points in the last three games.
Let’s see some trends recorded by betting sites. The Wildcats are 6-0 ATS in their last six non-conference games. 4-0 ATS playing a team with a winning record. And 7-1 ATS in their last eight games after a straight-up win.
“The older guys have been there and done that, and the younger guys kind of look up to them,” center Drake Jackson said. “I remember going my freshman year, nobody really knew how to handle a bowl game, and it was Coach Stoops’ first bowl game as a head coach. We’re definitely handling it a lot better now.”
Betting Virginia Tech Hokies
The Hokies went 8-4 SU (5-3 in ACC play) and, per betting sites, 6-6 ATS in the regular season. Starting QB Hendon Hooker is 87 of 140 (62.1%) for 1,445 yards with 11 TDs, two picks, and 16 sacks. Wide receiver Tre Turner has 33 receptions for 542 yards and four TDs. Running back Deshawn McClease has rushed for 717 yards on 166 carries. VTech ranks 81st in the country in total yards per game with 389.8. The Hokies score 30.9 points per game (tied for 51st).
Defensive back Chamarri Conner has 5.5 sacks, linebacker Rayshard Ashby has 105 tackles, and defensive back Caleb Farley has four interceptions. Vtech allows 123.3 rushing yards per game (27th), part of a 41st-ranking total defense (359.9 ypg). Virginia Tech’s 44th-in-the-country scoring defense (23.7 ppg) shut out opponents in two of their last three games.
The Hokies are 4-1 ATS in their last five games in December. 4-1 ATS in their last five games on grass. And 4-1 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
Farley is sidelined with a back injury and his status for the game is unclear. The Wildcats run-heavy offense could put the Hokies depth at the defensive back position to the test. “I do (have concerns) if they get involved heavily tackling,” defensive coordinator Bud Foster said. “Kentucky’s M.O. has not been to throw it, hopefully, we can control the run game a bit and make them do that. I have concerns with our overall depth (if we don’t).”
Kentucky vs. Virginia Tech 2019 Belk Bowl Pick
VTech allowed Virginia an uncharacteristic 39 points in the final game of the season. They had allowed just 17 points in the previous three games. If the Hokies’ defense shows up, they might be able to keep it close.
