The Old Dominion Monarchs battle the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers this week in a game that will feature the country’s second-leading passer, Brandon Doughty (3,034 yards, 27 TDs), and fifth-leading passer, Brandon Doughty (3,034 yards, 27 TDs). A bad season has only gotten worse for the Monarchs (3-4), as they have lost four of their last five. The game starts at 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct 31 and will be available on FSN.
In last week’s matchup, Old Dominion got blown out by FIU 41-12. Ray Lawry had a huge game running the ball in the loss, rushing 22 times for 161 yards and one TD. Western Kentucky also struggled, had an ugly loss against LSU 48-20. Taywan Taylor had a great game for the Hilltoppers, pulling in 10 receptions for 103 yards and one TD. Brandon Doughty also had a great game with 325 yards and three TDs through the air.
The Hilltoppers are favored by 24 points against the Monarchs this week and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable currently.
While the Monarchs are 3-4 Straight Up (SU), they’ve fallen short Against The Spread (ATS) this season with a 0-7 record. The Monarchs are 1-4 SU in their last five games, but a less-than-stellar 0-5 ATS. During their last five games, the Monarchs have improved their pass coverage, giving up an average of 241.2 passing yards. Penalties aren’t likely to cost Old Dominion this week’s game. They earn the 17th-fewest penalties among Division I teams, averaging only 4.9 per game.
Over on the other sideline, the Hilltoppers head into Week 9 with records of 4-3-1 ATS and 6-2 SU. Over their last five games, the Hilltoppers have a SU record of 4-1 and a 3-2 record ATS for those betting with them. Western Kentucky has made opposing defenses pay lately, averaging 47 points per game over the last five games. This improved stretch brought its season average to 41.0 PPG. Chances are Western Kentucky will continue to rely on its passing attack, where its 396.9 passing yards per game ranks fourth in the nation. Over the last five games, the Hilltoppers turned it up on defense, only allowing an average of 243.0 passing yards per game. The Western Kentucky defense will take advantage of every opportunity the Monarchs give it. The Hilltoppers generate 2.4 turnovers per game, eighth in the country. Teams need to stay focused in the first quarter against the fast-starting Hilltoppers, who average 13.1 points in the first 15 minutes.
Predictions: SU Winner – Western Kentucky, ATS Winner – Western Kentucky
Notes
Old Dominion is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games.
Old Dominion is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Old Dominion’s last 6 games.
Old Dominion is 1-9 ATS in its last 10 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Old Dominion’s last 5 games at home.
Western Kentucky is 6-0 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. Old Dominion is 1-0 SU when carrying a lead into the fourth quarter.
Remarkably, Old Dominion is winless (0-3 SU) in games where it comes out ahead in the turnover battle, yet undefeated (2-0 SU) when losing the turnover battle.
