Two schools that prefer running the football, Coach Bobby Wilder and the Old Dominion Monarchs are getting 8.5 points when they take on their in-conference counterpart Charlotte 49ers to Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. ESPN+ owns the TV rights and kickoff will take place at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Charlotte 49ers vs. Old Dominion Monarchs
Old Dominion enters this CUSA game as a significant underdog and is currently getting 8.5 points. The 49ers are also receiving -350 moneyline odds while the Monarchs are +270. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 50 points. If Charlotte falls behind in the early stages, it will likely result in a worthy in-game betting opportunity.
The 49ers have gained 3.5 units so far in 2019 and are 5-6 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 7-4.
The underwhelming Monarchs have lost 9.1 units this season. The team is 4-7 ATS and has an O/U record of 4-7.
The 49ers are 6-5 straight up (SU), including 4-3 SU against conference opponents. The Monarchs are 1-10 SU overall and 0-7 SU in conference play.
Charlotte enters this contest on a zero-game winless skid while Old Dominion has won each of its last zero. The Niners want to keep things rolling after a 24-13 win over Marshall last weekTheir defense allowed the Thundering Herd to rush for 144 yards on 34 attempts. Brenden Knox had a good day for the Thundering Herd in that one with 92 rushing yards on 22 attempts, along with 40 yards on one catch. On the offensive side, Chris Reynolds completed only nine-of-21 passes for 166 yards, one score and two interceptions. Reynolds (145 yards on 25 rush attempts, one TD) also led the ground attack and was complemented by Benny LeMay (100 yards on 21 carries). Victor Tucker (five receptions, 121 yards, one TD) and Christian Roberson (one catch, 29 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Old Dominion just suffered a 38-17 defeat to Middle Tennessee. The defensive unit let the Blue Raiders kill the clock by running for 147 yards on 35 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. Asher O’Hara had a solid outing for Middle Tennessee, recording 78 rushing yards on 14 attempts. For Old Dominion, Hayden Wolff completed 39-of-65 passes for 321 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Robert Washington (44 yards on nine rush attempts, one TD) mounted the running game while Aaron Moore (14 receptions, 194 yards, one TD) and Marcus Joyner (six catches, 44 yards) led the receiving attack in the loss.
Charlotte’s run the ball on 61.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Old Dominion has an overall rush percentage of 53.1 percent. The 49ers have rushed for 207.6 yards per game (including 177.3 per game against Conference USA opponents) and have 23 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Monarchs are averaging 89.5 rushing yards per game (70.7 in conference) and have 13 total rush TDs.
It appears that the 49ers could have the advantage in the trenches, as their offensive line has given up only 38 sacks while their D-line logged 19 sacks. The Monarchs offensive line has given up 32 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing QBs on just 22 occasions.
The Niners offense has tallied 216.8 yards per game through the air overall (235 per game against conference opposition) and has 21 passing scores so far. The Monarchs have produced 176.7 pass yards per outing (179 against CUSA competition) and have five total pass TDs.
Defensively, Charlotte appears to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 193.5 yards and pass for 198.6 yards per game. The Old Dominion defense has given up 228.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 139.1 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Niners have given up an ANY/A of 7.48 to opposing QBs, while the Monarchs are yielding an ANY/A of 7.31.
Offensively, Reynolds has amassed 1,846 passing yards this season, and has completed 60 percent of his 220 attempts with 17 scores through the air and eight interceptions. He has a 7.58 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.77 over the last two games.
On the other sideline, Hayden Wolff has completed 58-of-100 passes for 490 yards, one TD and two INTs. Wolff’s ANY/A sits at a very poor 3.86 for the season and 5.27 over his past two outings.
These two teams faced off last year with the final outcome being a 28-25 win for Charlotte.
Charlotte 49ers vs. Old Dominion Monarchs NCAA Pick
SU Winner: Charlotte, ATS Winner: Charlotte, O/U: Over
Team Betting Trends
- The Charlotte D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 29 times this year. Old Dominion has registered just 17 sacks.
- Old Dominion has lost five fumbles this season while Charlotte has let three get away.
- Each team has produced seven pass plays of 40+ yards. The 49ers have have made 22 pass plays of 30+ yards while the Monarchs have created 10 such plays.
- The Charlotte defense has allowed 11 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Old Dominion has given up seven such plays.
- The Charlotte offense has created 19 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Old Dominion has created nine such runs.
- The 49ers defense has allowed 17 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Monarchs have given up 15 such runs.
- The O/U for Old Dominion’s last match was 47. The over cashed in that 38-17 loss to Middle Tennessee.
- Over its last three matchups, Old Dominion is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- In its last three matches, Charlotte is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The Over/Under for Charlotte’s last game was 56.5. The under cashed in the team’s 24-13 win over Marshall.
- As a team, Charlotte has produced 4.5 yards per carry across its last three contests and 4.5 over its last two.
- Old Dominion has averaged 3.2 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 3.5 over its last two.
