The Old Dominion Monarchs and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will face off on the turf at Houchens-Smith Stadium. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to ESPN+.
Old Dominion Monarchs vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Preview
Old Dominion is a live dog and is currently getting 5 points in this Saturday CUSA game. The Monarchs are also receiving +180 moneyline odds while the Hilltoppers are -220. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 57.5 points. Based on the way things are shaping up, there should be some good live betting opportunities in this game.
The Monarchs are 2-5 against the spread (ATS) and are down 7.4 units so far. The team’s posted an Over-Under record of 6-1. The Hilltoppers have lost 7.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 4-2 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-4.
The Monarchs are 1-6 straight up (SU), including 0-4 SU against conference opponents. The Hilltoppers are 1-5 SU overall and 0-2 SU in conference play.
The Monarchs hope to get back on track after a 42-20 defeat to Marshall last week in which Blake LaRussa completed 31 passes for 296 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Kesean Strong (just 52 rushing yards on 15 attempts) and Will Knight (70 yards on 11 carries) led the ground attack while Isaiah Harper (eight receptions, 37 yards) and Jonathan Duhart (five catches, 31 yards) manned the receiving duties in the defeat.
Western Kentucky just dropped a 40-14 game to Charlotte. The team’s defense allowed the 49ers to run for 211 yards on 50 rush attempts, including four rush TDs. Benny LeMay torched the defense, putting up 121 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 17 attempts for Charlotte. As a group, the Hilltoppers collectively completed 27-of-39 passes for 214 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Davis Shanley went 20-for-29 for 154 yards and two interceptions while Steven Duncan was seven-of-10 for 60 yards and one touchdown. Joshua Samuel (29 rushing yards on six attempts) mounted the running attack as Jacquez Sloan (six receptions, 83 yards) and Lucky Jackson (four catches, 20 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Old Dominion has run the ball on 44.2 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 41.8 percent across possessions in conference play. Western Kentucky has an overall rush percentage of 47.0 percent, and has carried the ball 38.6 percent of the time when playing CUSA opponents. The Monarchs have rushed for 104 yards per game (including 110 per game against Conference USA opponents) and have 12 scores on the ground this year. The Hilltoppers are putting up 105 rushing yards per game (52 in conference) and have five total rush TDs.
The Monarchs offense has tallied 303 yards/game through the air overall (301 per game against conference opposition) and has 13 passing scores so far. The Hilltoppers have put up 253 pass yards per game (238.5 against CUSA competition) and have eight total pass TDs.
Defensively, Old Dominion has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 240 yards and throw for 282 yards per game. The Western Kentucky defense has given up 222.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 170.7 yards per game to opposing runners. The Hilltoppers are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 6.16 to opposing QBs, while the Monarchs have allowed an 8.05 ANY/A.
Offensively, LaRussa has amassed 1,224 passing yards this season, and has connected on 59 percent of his 158 attempts with nine scores through the air and only two interceptions. He’s got a 6.90 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 5.53 over the last two outings.
Steven Duncan has connected on 22-of-31 passes for 174 yards, three TDs and one INT for Western Kentucky. His ANY/A stands at 6.10 for the year and 5.70 over his past two games.
When these two schools met last year, Western Kentucky emerged victorious by a score of 35-31.
RELATED: Week 8 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Pick: Old Dominion Monarchs vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
SU Winner – Western Kentucky, ATS Winner – Western Kentucky, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Over/Under for Old Dominion’s previous game was 56.5. The over cashed in the team’s 42-20 defeat to Marshall.
As a team, Old Dominion has averaged 2.4 yards per carry across its past three games and 3.3 over its last two.
Western Kentucky has averaged 3.3 yards per carry over its last three contests and only 2.1 over its past two.
The Western Kentucky offense has lost five fumbles this season while Old Dominion has let three get away.
In its last three matches, Old Dominion is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
The Over/Under for Western Kentucky’s last game going into it was 44. The over cashed in that 40-14 defeat to Charlotte.
In its last three matchups, Western Kentucky is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The Monarchs offense has recorded four pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Hilltoppers have put up seven such plays.
The Old Dominion defense has allowed eight pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Western Kentucky has given up three such plays.
The Old Dominion offense has created five rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Western Kentucky has created one such runs.
The Monarchs defense has allowed 18 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Hilltoppers have given up nine such runs.
The Old Dominion D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 11 times this season. Western Kentucky has registered 10 sacks.
*****
