Eastern Michigan vs. Kentucky Picks and Prediction, Saturday, September 13, 2025
On Saturday, the Eastern Michigan Eagles will visit the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field in Week 3 NCAAF action. The Wildcats are 24.5-point spread favorites, and the game total is 46.5 points scored. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
This Eastern Michigan vs. Kentucky prediction highlights an EMU squad that dropped its first two games against a UK team that is looking to bounce back after a loss to Ole Miss. This is the third-ever meeting between the Eagles and Wildcats. They last met in 2019, a 38-17 Kentucky victory.
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Eastern Michigan is off to a poor start
Eastern Michigan (0-2 SU, 0-2 ATS, and 1-1 O/U) lost 52-27 to Texas State in Week 1 and fell 28-23 to Long Island last weekend. The Eagles failed to cover as 14-point dogs in their season opener and as 22.5-point favorites against the Sharks.
EMU was tripped up at home by FCS opponent LIU last week, as they fell behind early and never recovered. Long Island led by as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter and outgained Eastern Michigan 479-311 in total yards. LIU was 11-for-17 on third down and won the time of possession battle by over 15 minutes.
Senior QB Noah Kim, a transfer by way of Michigan State and Coastal Carolina, leads the Eagles' aerial attack with 437 yards (65.1% CMP%), three touchdowns, and zero picks. His top receiving target is senior WR Terry Lockett Jr. (13 receptions for 140 yards), and senior RB Dontae McMillan (17 carries for 136 yards and one TD) is EMU's leading rusher.
Eastern Michigan scores 25.0 points per game (86th) and averages 351.0 total yards (94th), including 218.5 passing yards (77th) and 132.5 rushing yards (96th). The Eagles' defense surrenders 40.0 points (129th) and 542.5 total yards (131st) per game, including 231.0 passing yards (92nd) and 311.5 rushing yards (135th).
Eastern Michigan Eagles Football Injury Report: No injuries to report for Saturday's college football game against Kentucky.
Kentucky is seeking a bounce-back win
Kentucky (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS, and 1-1 O/U) took down Toledo in its season opener, but lost its first SEC game to Mississippi last weekend. The Wildcats failed to cover as ten-point spread favorites against the Rockets, but covered the 8.5-point spread as underdogs against the Rebels.
The Wildcats fell 30-23 at home to a ranked Ole Miss squad last week, as they were outgained by nearly 100 yards. The Wildcats' passing game was ineffective (16-for-33 for 187 yards), but the ground game churned out 172 yards and 4.6 yards per carry. Kentucky has managed just 659 yards of offense in the first two games.
Senior QB Zach Calzada leads the Wildcats with 234 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. He has also rushed for a score. Kentucky's top pass-catcher is senior WR Ja'Mori Maclin (three receptions for 67 yards), and junior RB Dante Dowdell (28 carries for 185 yards and one TD) paces the run game.
UK scores 23.5 points per game (94th) and averages 332.0 total yards (99th), including 136.0 passing yards (122nd) and 196.0 rushing yards (47th). The Kentucky defense allows 23.0 points (81st) and 392.0 total yards (99th) per game, including 252.5 passing yards (108th) and 139.5 rushing yards (79th).
Kentucky Wildcats Football Injury Report:
Z. Calzada QB Questionable - Shoulder J. Wilcox RB Questionable - Personal D. Washington Jr. WR Questionable - Undisclosed D. Waller Jr. CB Questionable - Undisclosed N. Smith DL Questionable - Undisclosed D. Miller WR Questionable - Undisclosed P. Bowman WR Questionable - Undisclosed
Eastern Michigan vs. Kentucky Pick
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Earle Sports Bets | +2,298.00 |
| 2 |  Ross Benjamin | +1,840.00 |
| 3 |  Rob Vincilleti | +1,757.00 |
| 4 |  David Hess | +1,745.00 |
| 5 |  Dan Kaiser | +987.00 |
Spread Pick for Eastern Michigan vs. Kentucky
- Eastern Michigan +24.5 (5 Units)
Betting Trend: The Eagles are 30-12 against the spread as road underdogs since 2015, with outright victories over Arizona State, Illinois, Purdue, and Rutgers.
EMU is off to a bad start, but its offensive line has been solid enough, opening up holes for the run game. The Eagles also have an experienced signal-caller and a solid number one receiving threat in Lockett, both of whom started their careers at Big Ten schools. They have taken care of the football (no turnovers) and have been disciplined (zero penalties last week). I expect Kentucky to fare well on the ground, which will run the game clock and reduce the total number of possessions in the game. The Wildcats will win by a comfortable margin, but I won't predict a cover with the spread at 24.5 points.
Over/Under Pick for Eastern Michigan vs. Kentucky
- Under 46.5 (4 Units)
Eastern Michigan has already faced an offense with a potent passing game in Texas State. They'll be more comfortable defending the pass against the Wildcats, who have lacked explosiveness in that department. The home team will be able to run the football effectively, though. EMU's opponents have slowly beaten them down, converting 18 of 27 third-down attempts. Eating up the game clock will prevent the final score from getting too out of hand, keeping the total under 47 points.
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