The Bulldogs (-11) are set to welcome the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers to Louisiana Tech. This CUSA showdown will start at 12:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to CBS Sports Network.
Betting Preview: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Western Kentucky is a noticeable road underdog in this CUSA matchup and is currently getting 11 points. The Hilltoppers are also receiving +325 moneyline odds while the Bulldogs are -450. If one team can find paydirt in the early stages it will produce a worthy live betting opportunity. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 49 points.
The less-than-stellar Hilltoppers are 5-6 against the spread (ATS) and are down 11.2 units so far. The team has posted an O/U mark of 5-6.
The Bulldogs are up 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 conference opponents. The Bulldogs are 7-4 SU overall and 5-2 SU in conference play.
When these two schools faced each other last year, Louisiana Tech earned the win 23-22.
The Hilltoppers are coming off a resounding 40-16 win over UTEP last week in which Steven Duncan completed 19 passes for 214 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. D’Andre Ferby (69 rushing yards on 18 attempts, two TDs) and the signal-caller Duncan (54 yards on 13 carries) spearheaded the running 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.
A week ago, Southern Miss knocked off this Louisiana Tech team by a score of 21-20. J’mar Smith completed 27-of-43 passes for 243 yards and one touchdown. Israel Tucker (24 yards on nine rush attempts) mounted the running game while Adrian Hardy (11 receptions, 110 yards, one TD) and Teddy Veal (seven catches, 26 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Each of these teams has a strikingly similar (49-51) run-pass ratio on the season. The Hilltoppers have run for 131.3 yards/game (including 131.1 per game versus Conference USA opponents) and have 12 scores on the ground this year. The Bulldogs are logging 132.4 rush yards per game (116.0 in conference) and have 18 total rushing TDs.
It seems like the Bulldogs ought to own the advantage when it comes to applying pressure. Their offensive line has allowed only 25 sacks while the D-line has logged 32 sacks. The Hilltoppers offensive line has given up 29 sacks and their defense has got to opposing QBs on just 23 occasions.
The Hilltoppers offense has averaged 239.1 yards through the air overall (227.1 per game versus conference opposition) and has 14 passing TDs so far. The Bulldogs have recorded 240.2 pass yards per outing (225 in the CUSA) and have 15 total pass scores.
Western Kentucky has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 183.0 yards and pass for 242.4 yards per game. The Louisiana Tech D has given up 202.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 153.8 yards per game on the ground. The Bulldogs are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.15 to opponents, while the Hilltoppers have given up 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 scores through the air and five interceptions. He has a 4.70 adjusted net yards per pass attempt.
Look for a balanced approach offensively from Western Kentucky in this one. Mik’Quan Deane (372 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns on the year), Quin Jernighan (354 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and Joshua Samuel (467 rush yards, one rush TD) have each played big roles of late.
In the home locker room, J’mar Smith has managed to complete 200-of-352 passes for 2,281 yards, 13 TDs and six INTs. Smith’s ANY/A sits at 5.68 for the year and 6.46 over his last two games.
Adrian Hardy (767 receiving yards, six receiving touchdowns on the year), Alfred Smith (152 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and Jaqwis Dancy (527 rush yards, six rush TDs) have combined to account for 502 total yards and five touchdowns over the last couple of games.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Bedding Prediction
SU Winner: Louisiana Tech, ATS Winner: Louisiana Tech, O/U: Under
Betting Trends
- The Hilltoppers offense has tallied nine pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Bulldogs have accounted for eight such plays.
- The Western Kentucky defense has allowed 10 pass plays of 40 or more 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 yards or more, while the Bulldogs have given up 19 such runs.
- The Louisiana Tech defensive unit has notched 32 sacks on the year while Western Kentucky has just 23.
- Western Kentucky, as a team, has produced 4.0 yards per carry over its past three contests and 3.9 over its last two.
- Louisiana Tech has averaged 3.6 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.1 over its past two.
- Over its last three matches, Louisiana Tech is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Western Kentucky’s last game was set at 48. The over cashed in the team’s 40-16 victory over UTEP.
- In its last three matchups, Western Kentucky is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Louisiana Tech’s last matchup was set at 45.5. The under cashed in the 21-20 defeat to Southern Miss.
