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Matchup preview

Alabama vs Kentucky

Alabama visit Kentucky in Week 2. The model favors Alabama by 10.6. Win probability, the tale of the tape, and the all-time series, all from real data.

Win probability
74%
26%

Model win probability from SP+ ratings + home-field edge.

The read
Model analysis · September 9 · refreshed weekly

SP+ rates Alabama 20 (11th) against Kentucky at 8.5 (39th), a gap that translates to a projected Alabama margin of 9.1 points and a 71% model win probability. The consensus market line of Kentucky +10.5 leans slightly harder on Alabama, pricing the favorite at 74%, while the ProphetX exchange stretches further to Alabama -380, an implied 79%. So the disagreement is one of degree: the model likes Alabama by a touchdown-plus, the exchange treats it closer to a lock.

The unit ranks explain the edge. Alabama pairs the 22nd offense with the 5th defense, while Kentucky sits 51st on offense and 28th on defense. That defensive separation is the core of the number. Series history reinforces it: Alabama holds a 3-0 record and won the last meeting in 2023 by 49-21. Both teams enter 2-0 in spirit after openers, Alabama 48-10 over East Carolina and Kentucky 45-13 over Youngstown State, results that pad confidence without testing either side against SEC quality.

Season-long, the simulation projects 7.6 wins and a 28.7% Playoff chance for Alabama versus 5.4 wins and 2.6% for Kentucky, a hierarchy the single-game price mirrors closely.

Model and market agree Alabama is the clear side; the exchange's 79% just prices the defensive gap more aggressively than SP+.

Matchup odds
Consensus line · 3 books
Spread
ALA -8.7
Total (O/U)
47
Favorite
ALA
Moneyline win probability (implied from the spread)

Real consensus line across 3 sportsbooks. Spread and total are the current market number; the win probabilities are implied from the spread.

Matchup odds price history
The market to win this game · daily prices, colored by the favorite
Alabama99%+17 ptsvsKentucky1%-17 pts
0%25%50%75%100%Alabama favoredKentucky favoredAug 26Aug 30Sep 2Sep 5Sep 8Sep 11Sep 13

Real daily prices from the market to win this game, shown as Alabama's win price; Kentucky's is 100 minus it (the same market's other side). Above the 50% line Alabama is favored, below it Kentucky is, and each candle takes the favored team's color. Kalshi shows open-high-low-close candles (filled body closed up, hollow closed down). As of Sep 23.

Tale of the tape
Percentile vs FBS · 2025 stats, 2026 SP+
#11SP+SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.#49
#10FPIFPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.#47
1857EloElo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.1465
1.6%Title oddsDe-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.0.8%
AlabamaKentuckysolid = better, faded = trailing
What these metrics mean
SP+. SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.
FPI. FPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.
Elo. Elo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.
Title odds. De-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.
Off PPA. PPA (Predicted Points Added): the average point value each play adds. Higher is better for offense, lower for defense.
Success. Success rate: the share of plays that stay on schedule (roughly 50% of needed yards on 1st down, 70% on 2nd, 100% on 3rd/4th). Higher is better.
Explosive. Explosiveness: the average value of a team's successful plays, i.e. how big its good plays are when they hit.
Yards/game. Total yards gained per game.
Success allowed. How often the defense allows an on-schedule play (enough yards for the down). Lower is better.
Havoc. Havoc rate: the share of plays where the defense makes a tackle for loss, forced fumble, interception, or pass breakup.
Yards allowed. Total yards allowed per game. Lower is better.
Efficiency profile
Percentile vs FBS · 2025
Recent series
Alabama lead 3-0
Alabama have won the last 3
20162023
Head to head
Every meeting in our records
2023
49-21
Alabama
at Kentucky
2020
63-3
Alabama
at Alabama
2016
34-6
Alabama
at Alabama
More Week 2 matchups
Model previews for the rest of the slate
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I trade the Alabama vs Kentucky game?

Kalshi lists winner markets for college football games. Sign up with code FADE (trade $25, get up to $500), open the Alabama vs Kentucky market when it posts, and buy YES on your side; the price in cents equals the market's implied win probability. You can sell before kickoff or settlement at the current price.

When do Alabama and Kentucky play?

Week 2 of 2026, on Sep 12, 2026 at Kentucky.

Who is favored?

The model projects Alabama by 10.6 (74% win probability), from SP+ ratings.

What is the all-time series?

Alabama lead 3-0 over the meetings in our records.

Full schedule → · Both teams' playoff odds, from 10,000 simulations →

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