The Louisville Cardinals (-9) are heading neutral to face the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Nissan Stadium. Interested parties can catch the action live on STAD and this key afternoon matchup is scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Louisville Cardinals at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
In this Saturday game, Louisville is tabbed as the big favorite and is currently giving up 9 points. The Cardinals are also receiving -360 moneyline odds while the Hilltoppers are +280. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 55.5 points, and if one team gets out in front early, it will likely lead to a reasonable live betting scenario.
Square bettors are hammering the Cardinals, as the line opened at -8. The game’s total has yet to move after being initially placed at 55.5.
The Cardinals are down 1.0 unit so far in 2019 and 2-0 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have recorded an Over-Under mark of 0-2.
The Hilltoppers have lost 1.3 units this season. The team is 1-1 ATS and owns an O/U record of 1-1.
The Cardinals have gone 1-1 straight up (SU) in 2019 while the Hilltoppers are also 1-1 SU.
The Cardinals are coming off a resounding 42-0 win over Eastern Kentucky last week. Jawon Pass completed 12-of-19 passes for 196 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Hassan Hall (58 rushing yards on 15 attempts, one TD) and Javian Hawkins (123 yards on 11 carries) led the running attack while Dez Fitzpatrick (three receptions, 32 yards, one TD) and Marshon Ford (three catches, 26 yards, two TDs) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Western Kentucky is coming off of a 20-14 win over FIU. Steven Duncan completed 19-of-33 passes for 241 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Gaej Walker (100 yards on 27 rush attempts, one TD) spearheaded the running attack while Lucky Jackson (six receptions, 93 yards) and Kyle Fourtenbary (five catches, 74 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Louisville has run the ball on 63.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Western Kentucky has a rush percentage of 49.3 percent. The Cardinals have rushed for 285.5 yards/game and have four scores on the ground this year. The Hilltoppers are averaging 141 rush yards per game and have four total rushing TDs.
The Cards offense has tallied 177 yards per contest in the air overall and has four passing TDs so far. The Hilltoppers have put up 272.5 pass yards per game and have two total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Louisville appears to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 180 rush yards and 117.5 pass yards per game. The Western Kentucky defense has allowed 235 yards per game to opposing passers and 85.5 yards per game on the ground. The Cards are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.28 to opponents, while the Hilltoppers have given up a whopping 10.14 ANY/A.
Pass has been more effective than Duncan recently, as his adjusted net yards per pass attempt sits at 12.16for the year (and 6.74 over the past two outings). Duncan’s ANY/A is 5.18 for the year and 5.51 across his past two games.
When these two schools met a year ago, Louisville won by a field goal 20-17.
Louisville Cardinals vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Prediction
SU Winner: Western Kentucky, ATS Winner: Western Kentucky, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The Louisville defense has twice as many sacks as Western Kentucky this year (eight to four).
- Western Kentucky has lost zero fumbles this season while Louisville has let three get away.
- The Cardinals offense has created one pass play of 40+ yards, while the Hilltoppers have put up two such plays.
- The Louisville defense has allowed zero pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Western Kentucky has given up two such plays.
- The Louisville offense has created seven rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Western Kentucky has created one such runs.
- The Cardinals defense has allowed three rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Hilltoppers have given up zero such runs.
- The Over/Under for Western Kentucky’s previous game was set at 57.5. The under cashed in the 20-14 win over FIU.
- The Over/Under for Louisville’s previous game was 60. The under cashed in the team’s 42-0 victory over Eastern Kentucky.
