The Idaho Vandals take on the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks this week in a game that will feature the SBC’s second-leading receiver, Dezmon Epps (659 yards, 2 TDs), and second-leading passer, Garrett Smith (1,305 yards, 11 TDs). This game is equally important for Idaho (2-4) and Louisiana-Monroe (1-5), as they both go into this contest desperate for a victory. The game starts at 5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct 24 and will be available on ESP3.
In last week’s matchup, Idaho won in a close one over Troy 19-16. Dezmon Epps had a great game in the victory, pulling in 10 receptions for 131 yards. Louisiana-Monroe is hoping for a different outcome after had an ugly loss against Appalachian State 59-14. Marcus Green had a solid performance for the Warhawks, grabbing six receptions for 68 yards and one TD. Ben Luckett had 65 rushing yards on eight carries.
This week’s matchup between the Vandals and Warhawks has even odds and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available.
Sitting at 2-4 Straight Up (SU) and 3-3 Against The Spread (ATS), the Vandals will look to improve heading into Week 8. The Vandals throw the ball often. Their 40.2 passing attempts per game are 10th-highest in the country. During their last five games, the Vandals gave up 215.6 passing yards per game. On average, the Warhawks earn nine flags each game, one of the worst rates in the nation. Such errors could be beneficial for the Vandals if they persist into this week’s game.
Over on the other sideline, the Warhawks head into Week 8 with records of 2-3-1 ATS and 1-5 SU. Louisiana-Monroe’s game plan centers around passing the football. The Warhawks pass 38.2 times per game. Over the last five games, the Warhawks turned it up on defense, only allowing an average of 186.2 passing yards per game. The Warhawks will look to put the ball in the end zone against an Idaho defense that allows an average of 10.8 points in the second quarter, one of the worst marks in the nation.
Predictions: SU Winner – Idaho, ATS Winner – Idaho
Notes
Idaho is 7-14-1 ATS in its last 22 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Idaho’s last 7 games.
Idaho is 3-21 SU in its last 24 games.
Idaho is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games at home.
Idaho is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games at home.
Louisiana-Monroe is 1-0 SU when leading at the half this season. Idaho is 2-0 SU when taking a lead into halftime.
The Idaho defense has forced an average of 2.0 turnovers over its last five games. Louisiana-Monroe is 0-4 SU this season when turning the ball over at least 2.0 times in a game.
