The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (+11) are set to face off against their in-conference counterpart Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (-11) at Joe Aillet Stadium. CBS Sports Network is scheduled to have the TV rights and the opening kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. ET.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Betting Preview
In this Saturday Conference USA game, Louisiana Tech has been tabbed as the heavy favorite and the team’s currently giving up 11 points. The Hilltoppers are also receiving +325 moneyline odds while the Bulldogs are -450. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 49 points. There should be some solid live betting opportunities in this match.
The disappointing Hilltoppers have lost 11.2 units so far and are 5-6 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 5-6. The Bulldogs have gained 1.1 units this season. The team is 6-5 ATS and has an O/U record of 4-7.
The Hilltoppers are 2-9 straight up (SU), including 1-6 SU against CUSA opponents. The Bulldogs are 7-4 SU overall and 5-2 SU in conference play.
The Hilltoppers are coming off a resounding 40-16 win over UTEP last week. Steven Duncan completed 19 passes for 214 yards, two scores and one interception. D’Andre Ferby (69 rushing yards on 18 attempts, two TDs) and the signal-caller Duncan (54 yards on 13 carries) led the ground attack. Quin Jernighan (seven receptions, 82 yards, one TD) and Lucky Jackson (six catches, 36 yards, one TD) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Louisiana Tech narrowly dropped a 21-20 game to Southern Miss. The defensive unit did its job in the loss, keeping the Golden Eagles to only 226 passing yards and 54 rushing yards. Quez Watkins put up a productive showing in the win, posting 110 yards on nine catches for Southern Miss. For Louisiana Tech, J’mar Smith completed 27-of-43 passes for 243 yards and one touchdown. Israel Tucker (24 rushing yards on nine attempts) spearheaded the running game as Adrian Hardy (11 receptions, 110 yards, one TD) and Teddy Veal (seven catches, 26 yards) led the receiving attack in the loss.
When looking at offensive play-calling, each of these squads sports a similar (49-51) run-pass ratio on the season. The Hilltoppers have produced 131 rush yards/game (including 131 per game against Conference USA opponents) and have 12 scores on the ground this year. The Bulldogs are averaging 132 rush yards per game (116 in conference) and have 18 total rushing TDs.
It seems like the Bulldogs might be the more disruptive team in the trenches. Their offensive line has allowed just 25 sacks while the D-line has logged 32 sacks. The Hilltoppers O-line has given up 29 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing QBs just 23 times.
The Hilltoppers offense has logged 239 yards per game in the air overall (227 per game against conference opposition) and has 14 passing scores so far. The Bulldogs have put up 240 pass yards per outing (225.4 in the CUSA) and have 15 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Western Kentucky has allowed 183 rush yards and 242 pass yards per game. The Louisiana Tech defense has allowed 202.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 153.8 yards per game on the ground. The Bulldogs are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.15 to opponents, while the Hilltoppers have allowed a 6.32 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Duncan has amassed 751 yards this year, and has connected on 59 percent of his 123 attempts with seven passing scores and five interceptions. Duncan has a 4.70 adjusted net yards per pass attempt.
We expect the Western Kentucky offense to mix it up in this one. Mik’Quan Deane, Quin Jernighan and Joshua Samuel have combined to account for 472 total yards and two touchdowns over the last two outings.
In the home locker room, J’mar Smith has completed 200-of-352 passes for 2,281 yards, 13 TDs and six INTs. Smith’s ANY/A sits at 5.68 for the season and 6.46 over his past two games.
Adrian Hardy, Alfred Smith and Jaqwis Dancy have combined for 502 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns over the last two outings.
These two schools faced off last year with the final result being a 23-22 victory for Louisiana Tech.
RELATED: Week 13 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Prediction: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
SU Winner – Louisiana Tech, ATS Winner – Louisiana Tech, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Louisiana Tech defense has notched 32 sacks on the year while Western Kentucky has just 23.
Both teams have lost six fumbles this year.
The Hilltoppers offense has created nine pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Bulldogs have put up eight such plays.
The Western Kentucky defense has allowed 10 pass plays of 40+ yards, while Louisiana Tech has given up five such plays.
The Western Kentucky offense has created eight rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Louisiana Tech has created 10 such runs.
The Hilltoppers defense has allowed 17 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Bulldogs have given up 19 such runs.
The O/U for Louisiana Tech’s last match was 45.5. The under cashed in the team’s 21-20 loss to Southern Miss.
In its last three matches, Louisiana Tech is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
Over its last three matchups, Western Kentucky is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Western Kentucky’s last game was 48. The over cashed in the team’s 40-16 victory over UTEP.
Western Kentucky has produced 4.0 yards per carry across its past three games and 3.9 over its last two.
Louisiana Tech has averaged 3.6 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.1 over its past two.
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