Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. FIU Golden Panthers NCAA Football

The FIU Golden Panthers (-3.5) are flying north to face their in-conference foe Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Houchens-Smith Stadium. Kickoff for this matchup is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to beIN Sports.

Betting Preview: FIU Golden Panthers vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Western Kentucky is a live dog here and is currently getting 3.5 points. The Golden Panthers are also receiving -175 moneyline odds while the Hilltoppers are +155. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 54 points. There will probably be some decent live betting opportunities for this showdown.

Sharp bettors have been siding with the Hilltoppers. The opening line was 4.5, while the game’s over/under has not moved after it was set initially at 54.

The Golden Panthers have gained 2.0 units so far and are 5-2 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an Over-Under record of 2-5.

The Hilltoppers have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors this season, losing 9.2 units. The team is 4-3 ATS and has an O/U record of 3-4.

The Golden Panthers are 5-2 straight up (SU), including 3-0 SU against conference opponents. The Hilltoppers are 1-6 SU overall and 0-3 SU in conference play.

FIU enters this matchup on a zero-game winless skid while Western Kentucky has won each of its last zero. The Golden Panthers want to keep things rolling after a 36-17 victory over Rice last weekTheir defense allowed the Owls to run for 125 yards on 29 rush attempts, including two rush TDs. Evan Marshman had a good day for the Owls in that one with 68 rushing yards and both touchdowns on 11 attempts. Offensively, James Morgan completed 20 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns. D’Vonte Price (79 yards on 12 rush attempts) and Napoleon Maxwell (39 yards on 12 carries) led the ground attack while Price (five receptions, 38 yards) and Austin Maloney (four catches, 73 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties in the win.

One week ago, Old Dominion took care of this Western Kentucky crew by a score of 37-34. The Hilltoppers defensive unit let the Monarchs pass for 327 yards while rushing for 181 yards and three scores. Kesean Strong was outstandingfor the Monarchs, recording 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 27 attempts. For Western Kentucky, Davis Shanley completed 24-of-31 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns. Gino Appleberry, Jr. (80 rushing yards on 18 attempts, two TDs) and Joshua Samuel (87 yards on 15 carries) spearheaded the running game while Mik’Quan Deane (six receptions, 74 yards, one TD) and Kyle Fourtenbary (six catches, 54 yards, one TD) led the receiving corps in the loss.

FIU has run the ball on 58.0 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Western Kentucky has a rush percentage of 48.8 percent. The Golden Panthers have rushed for 173.1 yards/game (including 158.7 per game versus Conference USA opponents) and have 14 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Hilltoppers are totaling 119.4 rushing yards per game (103.3 in conference) and have seven total rush TDs.

If the numbers so far this season can translate to this game, then it seems like the Golden Panthers may be the more disruptive team in the trenches. Their offensive line has allowed only 29 sacks while their D-line logged 22 sacks. The Hilltoppers O-line has allowed 48 sacks and their defense has forced only 12 sacks.

The Golden Panthers offense has averaged 252.4 yards through the air overall (280.0 per game against conference opposition) and has 16 passing TDs so far. The Hilltoppers have produced 253.4 pass yards per outing (245 in the CUSA) and have 10 total pass scores.

FIU seems to possess the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team’s allowed opponents to rush for an average of 176.7 yards and throw for 198.0 yards per game. The Western Kentucky defense has allowed 237.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 172.1 yards per game on the ground. The Golden Panthers are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.12 to opponents, while the Hilltoppers have allowed a 6.62 ANY/A.

Morgan has been more efficient than Shanley lately, as his adjusted net yards per pass attempt sits at 9.54for the season (and 9.32 over the last two outings). Shanley’s ANY/A is 7.49 for the year and 5.23 over his last two outings.

When these two teams met a year ago, FIU knocked Western Kentucky off easily 41-17.

FIU Golden Panthers vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers NCAA Pick

SU Winner: FIU, ATS Winner: FIU, O/U: Over

Team Betting Notes

The O/U for FIU’s last game was 53.5. The under cashed in the team’s 36-17 victory over Rice.

FIU has averaged 5.0 yards per carry over its past three outings and 4.0 over its last two.

Western Kentucky has averaged 3.3 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.0 over its last two.

The Western Kentucky offense has lost five fumbles this season while FIU has let three get away.

In its last three matchups, FIU is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.

FIU has won six of its last seven games SU, with a September 22nd defeat to Miami (FL) representing the only loss over that span.

The Over/Under for Western Kentucky’s last outing going into it was 55. The over cashed in that 37-34 loss to Old Dominion.

Over its last three games, Western Kentucky is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.

Both passing attacks have produced seven pass plays of 40 yards or more. The Golden Panthers have have made 13 pass plays of 30+ yards while the Hilltoppers have created nine such plays.

Both defenses have allowed four pass plays of 40 yards or more. The FIU defense has given up six pass plays of 30+ yards while Western Kentucky has yielded 13 such plays.

The FIU offense has created nine rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Western Kentucky has created two such runs.

Both defenses have allowed 10 rushing plays of 20 yards or more. The Golden Panthers have given up 45 running plays of 10+ yards while the Hilltoppers have given up 39 such plays.

The Western Kentucky D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 13 times this year. FIU has produced 12 sacks.