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CUSA foes will meet when the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3-2) meet the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (3-3).
Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech Odds
Point Spread
The spread for this matchup is set at 6 points, with oddsmakers listing Western Kentucky as the favorites.
Moneyline
As for the moneyline, Western Kentucky has -240 odds to pick up the win, while Louisiana Tech is listed at +192 to claim victory.
Over/Under
Finally, the total for the game is set at 59 points.
Game Info
How to Watch Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech Live?
- Game Day: Thursday, October 5, 2023
- Game Time: 8:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Location: Ruston, Louisiana
- Stadium: Joe Aillet Stadium
Betting Preview
Western Kentucky
With 472.8 yards allowed per game on defense, which ranks sixth-worst in the FBS, Western Kentucky has been forced to rely on its 78th-ranked offense (382.8 yards per contest) to keep them competitive. On offense, Western Kentucky ranks 55th in the FBS with 31.6 points per game. Meanwhile, the team’s defense ranks 96th in points allowed (472.8 points allowed per contest). Western Kentucky sports the 26th-ranked passing offense this year (286 passing yards per game), and has been worse defensively, ranking 20th-worst with 267.6 passing yards allowed per game. With 96.8 offensive rushing yards per game (12th-worst) and 205.2 rushing yards allowed per game on defense (11th-worst), Western Kentucky has been playing poorly on both sides of the ball this year in the running game. Offensively, Western Kentucky ranks 91st in the FBS with a 37.1% third-down percentage. Meanwhile, the team’s defense ranks 106th in third-down conversion rate allowed (205.2). Western Kentucky owns the fifth-best turnover margin in college football at +7, forcing 14 turnovers (first in the FBS) while turning it over seven times (67th in the FBS).
Louisiana Tech
From an offensive angle, Louisiana Tech is posting 376.3 total yards per contest (83rd-ranked). It ranks 74th in the FBS on defense (377.5 total yards surrendered per game). Louisiana Tech is putting up 27 points per contest on offense this season (80th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is surrendering 25.7 points per contest (74th-ranked) on defense. Louisiana Tech ranks 78th in the FBS with 224.3 passing yards per contest, but it has been led by its defense, which ranks sixth-best by giving up only 152 passing yards per game. Louisiana Tech’s defense has been a bottom-25 unit in run defense this season, surrendering 225.5 rushing yards per game, which ranks fourth-worst in the FBS. On offense, it ranks 68th with 152 rushing yards per contest. Louisiana Tech’s offense has been struggling on third down, ranking 23rd-worst in the FBS with a 33.8% third-down conversion percentage. It has been more productive on the defensive side of the ball, giving up a 35.1% third-down rate (42nd-ranked). Louisiana Tech has produced six forced turnovers (73rd in the FBS) and committed six turnovers (49th in the FBS) this season for a 0 turnover margin that ranks 66th in the FBS.
Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech Betting Analysis
Western Kentucky Betting Insights
Western Kentucky has put together a record of 3-2-0 against the spread this season. Western Kentucky has an ATS record of 2-1 when playing as at least 6-point favorites. This season, Western Kentucky games have hit the over twice. The Hilltoppers have been the moneyline favorite just two other times so far this season, and they won both of the games. The Hilltoppers have played as a moneyline favorite of -240 or shorter in just two games this season, and they won both.
Louisiana Tech Betting Insights
Louisiana Tech has covered the spread three times over six games with a set total. Louisiana Tech has an ATS record of 1-1 when playing as at least 6-point underdogs. This season, Louisiana Tech games have hit the over twice. The Bulldogs have lost both games they’ve played as underdogs this season. The Bulldogs have not won as an underdog of +192 or more on the moneyline this season in two such games.
Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech Against The Spread & Betting Records
Western Kentucky
| Overall | Home | Away | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Total AVG | 63.7 | 65.2 | 61.5 |
| Implied Total AVG | 41.4 | 43.0 | 39.0 |
| ATS Record | 3-2-0 | 2-1-0 | 1-1-0 |
| Over/Under Record | 2-3-0 | 1-2-0 | 1-1-0 |
| Moneyline Favorite Record | 2-0 | 2-0 | 0-0 |
| Moneyline Underdog Record | 0-2 | 0-0 | 0-2 |
Louisiana Tech
| Overall | Home | Away | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Total AVG | 57.3 | 61.0 | 53.7 |
| Implied Total AVG | 35.8 | 37.3 | 34.3 |
| ATS Record | 3-3-0 | 1-2-0 | 2-1-0 |
| Over/Under Record | 2-4-0 | 2-1-0 | 0-3-0 |
| Moneyline Favorite Record | 3-1 | 2-1 | 1-0 |
| Moneyline Underdog Record | 0-2 | 0-0 | 0-2 |
Players to Watch
Western Kentucky
- In addition to his 1,361 passing yards and 61.6% completion percentage this season, Austin Reed has tallied 11 touchdowns against two interceptions.
- Reed has made a difference with his legs, scrambling for 70 yards and three TDs in five games.
- Easton Messer has been a key cog for the Hilltoppers, compiling 280 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 22 catches.
- In four games, Malachi Corley has turned zero targets into 29 receptions, 336 yards and two touchdowns for the Hilltoppers.
- In four games for the Hilltoppers, Markese Stepp has run for 104 rushing yards (3.9 yards per carry) and one touchdown.
- In four games for the Hilltoppers, Stepp has five receptions (1.3 per game) for 42 yards (10.5 per game) and zero touchdowns.
- Kendrick Simpkins has helped carry the Hilltoppers’ defense with 20 tackles, six TFL, and four sacks in four games.
- The Hilltoppers’ defense has been aided by Upton Stout, who has suited up for five games and amassed one TFL, 21 tackles, and one interception.
- With 28 tackles, one TFL, and one sack in five games, Jaques Evans has been a key part of the Hilltoppers’ defense in 2023.
- The Hilltoppers’ defensive unit has been helped by the play of Hosea Wheeler, who has suited up for five games, compiling one sack to go with one TFL, 19 tackles, and one interception.
Louisiana Tech
- Smoke Harris has 37 catches for 368 yards (61.3 per game) and three touchdowns in six games.
- Tyre Shelton has rushed for 318 yards (106 per game) and three touchdowns in three games.
- In five games, Cyrus Allen has 18 receptions for 331 yards (66.2 per game) and two touchdowns.
- In four games, Hank Bachmeier has thrown for 756 yards (189 per game), with five touchdowns and two interceptions, and a completion percentage of 66%.
- Myles Heard has been causing chaos on defense, compiling 57 tackles and three TFL for the Bulldogs.
- On defense, Brevin Randle has helped keep opposing offenses in check with 45 tackles, seven TFL, and two sacks in six games.
- The Bulldogs’ Cecil Singleton has compiled one interception to go with 37 tackles and one pass defended in six games.
- Jesslord Boateng has amassed one sack to go with three TFL and 37 tackles in six games for the Bulldogs.
Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech Predictions and Pick
Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech betting card
- Pick ATS:
Western Kentucky (-6)
- Pick OU: Under (59)
How to Bet on Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech
You can bet on Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech at every legal online sportsbook. For more college football odds, including moneylines, spreads, over/under totals as well as college football prop odds, check out the latest college football lines as well as our guide to the best college football betting sites.
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Our prediction to win this matchup is Western Kentucky, and we expect that Western Kentucky will cover the spread (Western Kentucky -6). Finally, we see the scoring in this one going under the posted total of 59 points.