Liberty Bowl: East Carolina vs. Kentucky Preview

Kentucky lost six of its final eight games, but still earned a bowl berth. God bless the bowl system for finding place for a team that lost 63-5 against Florida. The fans at the Liberty Bowl will watch the East Carolina Pirates and the Kentucky Wildcats clash January 2. Oddsmakers currently have the Pirates listed as 3-point favorites versus the Wildcats, while the game's total is sitting at 42. Ben Hartman's 36-yard field goal with 1:43 remaining gave East Carolina a 27-24 upset win over Tulsa in Week 15. The Pirates covered the 12.5-point spread, while the final score played UNDER the day's posted total of 66. Kentucky was crushed 28-10 by Tennessee in Week 14 as a 4-point road underdog. The combined 38 points went as a PUSH against the posted total of 38. Alfonso Smith ran for the only touchdown in the loss. Team records: East Carolina: 9-4 SU, 5-8 ATS Kentucky: 6-6 SU, 4-7 ATS East Carolina most recently: When playing on turf are 6-4 After being outgained are 7-3 When playing outside the conference are 4-6 After playing Tulsa are 3-0 Kentucky most recently: When playing in January are 0-1 When playing on turf are 4-5 After being outgained are 4-6 When playing outside the conference are 10-0 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 6 of East Carolina's last 7 games East Carolina is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games East Carolina is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games Kentucky is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games Kentucky is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games