The Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky (-5) are prepared to welcome their conference nemesis Old Dominion Monarchs to Houchens-Smith Stadium. The game will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to the action on ESPN+.
Betting Preview: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Old Dominion Monarchs
Old Dominion is the road underdog in this CUSA matchup and is currently getting 5 points. The Monarchs are also receiving +180 moneyline odds while the Hilltoppers are -220. Multiple good live betting possibilities could be unveiled during this game, and oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 57.5 points.
The Monarchs are 2-5 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 7.4 units so far. The team has posted an O/U mark 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 have gone 1-6 straight up (SU), including 0-4 SU against CUSA opponents. The Hilltoppers are 1-5 SU overall and 0-2 SU in conference play.
The Monarchs came up short to Marshall 42-20 in a thumping where their defense allowed the Thundering Herd to rush for 319 yards on 45 attempts, including five rush TDs. On the offensive side of the ball, Blake LaRussa completed 31-of-54 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) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Western Kentucky most-recently fell 40-14 to Charlotte. As a group, the team 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 yards on six rush attempts) mounted the running attack as Jacquez Sloan (six receptions, 83 yards) and Lucky Jackson (four catches, 20 yards) led the pass-catching attack 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 kept it on the ground 38.6 percent of the time when playing CUSA opponents. The Monarchs have produced 103.9 rush yards per game (including 110.0 per game against Conference USA opponents) and have 12 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Hilltoppers are putting up 104.8 rush yards per game (51.5 in conference) and have five total rushing TDs.
The Monarchs offensive scheme has averaged 303.0 yards in the air overall (301.0 per game versus conference opposition) and has 13 passing TDs so far. The Hilltoppers have produced 252.8 pass yards per contest (239 in the CUSA) and have eight total pass scores.
Defensively, Old Dominion has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 240.0 yards and pass for 281.6 yards per game. The Western Kentucky defense has given up 222.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 170.7 yards per game on the ground. The Hilltoppers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 6.16 to opposing QBs, while the Monarchs have given up an 8.05 ANY/A.
Offensively, LaRussa is up to 1,224 passing yards this season. The signal-caller has connected on 59 percent of his 158 attempts with nine passing scores 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 completed 22-of-31 passes for 174 yards, three TDs and one INT for Western Kentucky. His ANY/A stands at 6.10 for the season and 5.70 over his past two outings.
When these two teams met last year, Western Kentucky earned the win 35-31.
Old Dominion Monarchs vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Pick
SU Winner: Old Dominion, ATS Winner: Old Dominion, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The Over/Under for Old Dominion’s last game was 56.5. The over cashed in the team’s 42-20 loss to Marshall.
- Old Dominion, as a team, has rushed for 2.4 yards per attempt over 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.
- Western Kentucky has lost five fumbles this season while Old Dominion has let three get away.
- In its last three matchups, Old Dominion is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Western Kentucky’s previous outing was 44. The over cashed in that 40-14 loss to Charlotte.
- In its last three matches, Western Kentucky is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Monarchs offense has tallied four pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Hilltoppers have accounted for 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 defense has sacked opposing QBs 11 times this year. Western Kentucky has registered 10 sacks.
