The 49ers of Charlotte (+9.5) are gearing up to welcome the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (-9.5) to Jerry Richardson Stadium. This conference game will get going at 3:30 p.m. ET and interested parties can watch the action on ESPN+.
Betting Preview: Charlotte 49ers vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Charlotte is a live dog and is currently getting 9.5 points in this CUSA game. The Hilltoppers are also receiving -370 moneyline odds while the 49ers are +290. If one school can create a bunch of points in the early stages, it’ll likely create a worthwhile in-game betting opportunity.
The Hilltoppers are 4-1 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 3.6 units so far. They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U mark of 1-4.
The 49ers are down 1.0 unit this season. The team is 2-3 ATS and has an O/U record of 3-1.
The Hilltoppers are 1-4 straight up (SU), including 0-1 SU against conference opponents. The 49ers are 2-3 SU overall and 1-1 SU in conference play.
When these two schools faced each other last year, Western Kentucky won handily 45-14.
The Hilltoppers look to get back on track after a 20-17 defeat to Marshall on September 29 where Steven Duncan completed 24-of-39 passes for 263 yards, as well as a TD and an interception. Lucky Jackson (five receptions, 41 yards) and Quin Jernighan (five catches, 39 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Charlotte just dropped a fairly brutal 28-7 game to UAB back in Week 5. Chris Reynolds completed 17-of-25 passes for 194 yards and one interception. Benny LeMay (83 yards on 14 rush attempts) led the running game as Rico Arnold (six receptions, 101 yards) and Mark Quattlebaum (three catches, 49 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Western Kentucky has run the ball on 49.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Charlotte has a rush percentage of 60.1 percent. The Hilltoppers have rushed for 117.4 yards per game and have four touchdowns on the ground this year. The Niners are putting up 127.4 rush yards per game (120.0 in conference) and have five total rushing TDs.
Te Hilltoppers offensive scheme has tallied 260.6 yards/game through the air overall and has seven passing scores so far. The Niners have recorded 210.8 pass yards per contest (198 against CUSA foes) and have six total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Western Kentucky should have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 162.6 rush yards and 220.0 pass yards per game. The Charlotte D has allowed 241.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 102.2 yards per game on the ground. The Hilltoppers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.70 to opposing QBs, while the Niners have given up an ugly 8.79 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Duncan has put up 283 yards this season. He’s connected on 27-of-44 attempts with one scores through the air and two interceptions. He has a 4.10 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 6.03 over the past two outings.
We expect the Western Kentucky offense to mix it up in this one. Joshua Samuel (111 rushing yards this season), Lucky Jackson (223 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) and Mik’Quan Deane (143 receiving yards, one TD) have each played significant roles recently.
Chris Reynolds has managed to complete 65-of-101 passes for 771 yards, three TDs and two INTs for Charlotte. His ANY/A stands at 5.70 for the season and 6.10 over his past two games.
Benny LeMay (346 rushing yards, two rush TDs on the year), Rico Arnold (108 receiving yards) and Victor Tucker (245 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) have combined to account for 445 yards from scrimmage over the past couple of games.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Charlotte 49ers Betting Pick
SU Winner: Western Kentucky, ATS Winner: Western Kentucky
Betting Notes
- Charlotte has lost five fumbles this season while Western Kentucky has lost four.
- The Western Kentucky defensive unit has nine sacks on the year while Charlotte has eight.
- Western Kentucky has averaged 3.66086956521739 yards per carry over its past three contests and 3.5 over its last two.
- Charlotte has averaged 2.7 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 2.0 over its past two.
- In its last three matches, Charlotte is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- Western Kentucky was the underdog by 4 points in its previous game and the O/U was set at 51.5. The under cashed and Western Kentucky covered in the 20-17 loss to Marshall.
- In its last three matches, Western Kentucky is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- Charlotte was favored by 15 points in its previous outing and the O/U was set at 52. The under cashed and Charlotte failed to cover in the 28-7 loss to UAB.
- Charlotte has lost four of its last five games SU, with a three-point victory over Old Dominion on September 13th accounting for the only win over that span.
