Vrbo Citrus Bowl Betting Predictions
The Big Ten will square off against the SEC in the 2022 Vrbo Citrus Bowl when Iowa takes on Kentucky at 1:00 p.m. ET on ABC. Will the Wildcats cover as a 3-point favorite or is there a better value for bettors when it comes to this New Year’s Day matchup?
Game Snapshot
280 Iowa Hawkeyes (+3) vs. 279 Kentucky Wildcats (-3); o/u 44
1:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, January 1, 2022
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL
TV: ABC
Iowa Hawkeyes Game Notes
Iowa redshirt sophomore QB Spencer Petras will start in the Citrus Bowl on January 1 against Kentucky. Not sure if too many Hawkeye fans are jumping for joy to see Petras (6’5/233) under center after the performance against Michigan in the Big Ten championship, but the quarterback play overall for this team hasn’t been something to brag about. Whether it’s been Petras or Alex Padilla, neither has proven effective, leaving this offense dormant and the team lopsided as they had one of the better defenses in the country.
Kentucky Wildcats Game Notes
Kentucky junior QB Will Levis announced he will return for a senior season. Levis took to Twitter to announce his intentions, posting a short clip of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s classic line “I’ll be back” to confirm his return for his senior year. Levis had a breakout year in 2021, throwing for 2593 yards, 23 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on 66.5% completion. He led Kentucky to a fantastic 9-3 record and a berth in the Citrus Bowl. To be fair, it’s questionable how much draft stock Levis had anyways, but it does set up Kentucky to make another nice run in 2022 with the continuity they’ll have at the most important position in football.
Iowa vs. Kentucky New Year’s Day Betting Prediction
The Hawkeyes are just 2-5 against the spread in their last seven games overall, are 2-5 against the number in their last seven games following a loss of more than 20 points and are 1-5 at the betting window in their last six games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game. On the other side, the Wildcats are 10-2 against the spread in their last 12 non-conference games, are 4-1 against the number in their last five Big Ten matchups and are 11-3 at the betting window in their last 14 games following a win of more than 20 points.
VRBO CITRUS BOWL BETTING PREDICTION: KENTUCKY WILDCATS -3
