The FIU Panthers and Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will go toe-to-toe on the turf at Joe Aillet Stadium. Kickoff for this matchup is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to CBS Sports Network.
Betting Preview: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs. FIU Panthers
FIU is a live dog and is currently getting 10 points in this Friday CUSA matchup. The Panthers are also receiving +290 moneyline odds while the Bulldogs are -370. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 51.5 points. Some solid live betting scenarios might present themselves during this matchup.
The early action has swayed toward the Bulldogs. The opening line was -8 and the game’s total has not moved after being set initially at 51.5.
The disappointing Panthers are 0-2 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 4.5 units so far. They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an Over-Under record of 0-2.
The Bulldogs have gained 0.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 1-2 ATS and have an O/U record of 1-2.
The Panthers are 1-2 straight up (SU), including 0-1 SU against conference opponents. The Bulldogs are 2-1 SU overall and 0-0 SU in conference play.
The Panthers are coming off a resounding 30-17 win over New Hampshire last week in which Kaylan Wiggins completed 12 passes for just 127 yards. Anthony Jones (52 rushing yards on 17 attempts) and the signal-caller Wiggins (187 yards on 14 carries, two TDs) led the ground attack in the win. Shemar Thornton (four receptions, 19 yards) and Sterling Palmer (three catches, 37 yards) shared the receiving duties.
Louisiana Tech just put together a 35-7 win over Bowling Green. The defensive unit allowed the Falcons to rush for 119 yards on 47 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Quintin Morris had a good outing in the loss for Bowling Green, posting 90 yards on six catches. As a group, the Bulldogs collectively completed 24-of-32 passes for 324 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. J’mar Smith went 19-for-26 for 267 yards and two touchdowns while Aaron Allen was five-of-five for 57 yards. Justin Henderson (95 rushing yards on nine attempts) mounted the ground attack in the win as Adrian Hardy (six receptions, 95 yards) and Smoke Harris (five catches, 64 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching corps.
FIU has run the ball on 63.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Louisiana Tech has an overall rush percentage of 48.1 percent. The Panthers have rushed for 173.3 yards/game and have five scores via handoffs this year. The Bulldogs are totaling 124 rush yards per game and have three total rushing TDs.
The Panthers offense has averaged 142 yards in the air overall and has only one passing scores so far. The Bulldogs have recorded 294.7 pass yards per outing and have five total pass TDs.
FIU has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 198 yards and throw for 220 yards per game. The Louisiana Tech defense has allowed 237 yards per game to opposing passers and 162.7 yards per game on the ground. The Bulldogs are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.98 to opposing QBs, while the Panthers have given up a 6.53 ANY/A.
Offensively, Wiggins has put up 127 passing yards this year, and has connected on 12-of-18 attempts with zero passing scores and has yet to throw an interception. He has a 7.06 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.40 over the last two games.
In the home locker room, J’mar Smith has connected on 53-of-77 passes for 598 yards, four TDs and one INT. Smith’s ANY/A stands at 7.23 for the year and 9.11 over his past two games.
These two CUSA foes did not get a chance to play each other last season.
FIU Panthers at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs NCAA Prediction
SU Winner: Louisiana Tech, ATS Winner: Louisiana Tech, O/U: Under
Betting Trends
- The Panthers offense has registered one pass play of 40 or more yards, while the Bulldogs have accounted for four such plays.
- The FIU defense has allowed three pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Louisiana Tech has given up one such play.
- The FIU offense has created four rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Louisiana Tech has created two such run.
- The Panthers defense has allowed five rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Bulldogs have given up one such run.
- The Louisiana Tech D has sacked opposing quarterbacks four times this season. FIU has recorded two sacks.
- FIU, as a team, has averaged 4.7 yards per carry over its last two outings.
- Louisiana Tech has averaged 3.9 yards per carry over its last two.
- In its last three contests, Louisiana Tech is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Louisiana Tech’s previous matchup was 58.5. The under cashed in the team’s 35-7 victory over Bowling Green.
