The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (+21) are set to pay a visit to the Louisville Cardinals at Cardinal Stadium. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET and CHSS will televise the action.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Louisville Cardinals Betting Preview
Louisville is heavily favored in this one and is currently giving up 21 points to Western Kentucky. This matchup is currently a toss-up, and Vegas has not determined this game’s over/under (O/U) yet.
The disappointing Hilltoppers are down 4.0 units so far and 1-1 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U record of 1-1. The Cardinals have gained 0.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 0-2 ATS and also have an O/U record of 1-1.
The Hilltoppers have gone 0-2 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Cardinals are 1-1 SU.
The Hilltoppers fell to Maine 31-28 in a game where Drew Eckels completed just 23 passes on 41 attempts for 347 yards and three touchdowns. Eckels (-31 rushing yards on 11 attempts) also led the ground attack in the loss. Mik’Quan Deane (five receptions, 45 yards) and Quin Jernighan (five catches, 43 yards) shared the receiving duties.
Louisville just earned a 31-7 win over Indiana State. The defense allowed the Sycamores to rush for 174 yards on 50 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Jaquan Keys had a good outing in the loss for Indiana State, accounting for 102 rushing yards on 20 attempts. As a group, the Cards collectively completed 14-of-22 passes for 164 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jawon Pass went eight-for-14 for 89 yards and one interception while Malik Cunningham was six-of-seven for 75 yards and one touchdown. Malik Cunningham (54 rushing yards on 12 attempts, one TD) and Colin Wilson (52 yards on 7 carries) spearheaded the ground game in the win as Devante Peete (three receptions, 32 yards) and Micky Crum (two catches, 47 yards) led the pass-catching corps.
Western Kentucky has run the ball on 47.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Louisville has a rush percentage of 51.2 percent. The Hilltoppers have produced 83 rush yards per game and have yet to record a touchdown via handoffs this year. The Cards are totaling 108 rush yards per game and have two total rushing TDs.
The Hilltoppers offense has averaged 264 yards through the air overall and has three passing TD so far. The Cards have produced 208 pass yards per game and also have three total pass scores.
Western Kentucky has allowed opponents to run for an average of 188 yards and pass for 220 yards per game. The Louisville defense has allowed 167 yards per game to opposing passers and 198.0 yards per game on the ground. The Hilltoppers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of 7.05 to opposing QBs, while the Cards have given up a staggering 8.95 ANY/A.
Offensively, Eckels has amassed 347 passing yards on the year. He’s connected on 56 percent of his 41 attempts with three scores through the air and has yet to throw an interception. Eckels has a 7.77 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.12 over the last two games.
Garland LaFrance, Lucky Jackson and Quin Jernighan have combined to account for 351 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns as a trio over the last two outings.
Jawon Pass has completed 8-of-14 passes for 89 yards, zero TDs and one INT for Louisville. His ANY/A sits at a terrible 2.44 for the year and 3.95 over his past two games.
We also expect the Louisville offense to spread its attack this Saturday. Seth Dawkins (12 receiving yards on the year), Micky Crum (47 receiving yards) and Jeremy Smith (56 rush yards) have combined to account for 215 yards from scrimmage over the past couple of games.
NCAA Pick: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Louisville Cardinals
SU Winner – Louisville, ATS Winner – Western Kentucky
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Hilltoppers offense has produced three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Cardinals have accounted for one such play.
The Western Kentucky defense has allowed two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Louisville has given up one such play.
The Western Kentucky offense has created zero rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Louisville has created two such runs.
The Hilltoppers defense has allowed four rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Cardinals have given up two such runs.
The Western Kentucky D has sacked opposing quarterbacks six times this season. Louisville has registered two sacks.
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