The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are fresh off a big win over Houston Baptist and will be looking to carry that momentum with them to Louisiana in this Week 6 matchup against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. The Hilltoppers are 3-2 on the season so far.
Louisiana Tech is 2-3, but also comes into this matchup off a win after defeating UTEP last week. The Bulldogs are undefeated at home in 2016 but will be slight underdogs.
This matchup in Week 6 of the regular season will take place on Thursday, October 6, 2016, at 8 p.m. ET at Joe Aillet Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Western Kentucky -3
Louisiana Tech +3
Odds Analysis
Western Kentucky may have a small talent edge, but bettors don’t think it’s enough to equal a field goal spread. Early on in the betting, Louisiana Tech is getting about two-thirds of the action to cover.
Player to Watch
Louisiana Tech running back Jarred Craft is coming off a big game last week against UTEP where he had a game-changing 70-yard touchdown run. The junior finished with 13 carries for 146 yards, averaging 11.2 yards a carry.
Craft has 77 carries for 551 yards and three touchdowns in all this season. He also has one touchdown receiving. Louisiana Tech has a nice, balanced offense and Craft leads the way in the ground game.
Key Stat
1 point - That’s how close both teams came from knocking off a major conference opponent earlier this season. Louisiana Tech had Arkansas on the ropes as it held a six-point fourth quarter lead until a late touchdown pass by the Razorbacks resulted in a 21-20 win.
It would have been a fantastic upset for the Bulldogs that fell just short. Western Kentucky almost pulled the feat against Vanderbilt.
The Hilltoppers almost won in regulation against the Commodores, but a 2-yard run by Ralph Webb with no time on the clock sent the game to overtime. Vanderbilt scored a touchdown in the extra frame, and Western Kentucky scored to answer and then went for two for the win. It failed, allowing Vanderbilt to escape with the 31-30 victory.
Free ATS Pick
Louisiana Tech has also lost to Texas Tech and Middle Tennessee this year. The team’s only other win of the season besides UTEP came against South Carolina State on September 10th.
Despite the slow start, the peripheral numbers are encouraging. The Bulldogs are averaging 347.2 passing yards a game behind quarterback Ryan Higgins, which ranks 13th in the nation in that category. Higgins has thrown for 1,415 yards so far this season with 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
Louisiana Tech has a positive point-differential despite the sub-.500 record, so there could be a record correction soon if it can keep that up.
Western Kentucky also has a strong air attack behind quarterback Mike White. The junior has thrown for 1,367 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
Taywan Taylor is the team’s leading receiver with 33 catches for 602 yards and two touchdowns. The rushing attack is led by Anthony Wales and Quinton Baker, who have combined for 560 yards and six touchdowns in the first five games.
Western Kentucky has been the better team early on and has the stronger defense, but these teams aren’t too far apart talent-wise. The spread should be closer to a pick-’em than three points for the Hilltoppers, so take advantage of that.
Louisiana Tech is the pick to cover in this matchup, and choosing the moneyline when available could turn out well. The Bulldogs get this one at home and could certainly pull out the victory.
Both teams have had good moments this year and Louisiana Tech should play well enough in front of its home crowd to emerge victorious.
College Football Odds: Louisiana Tech 34, Western Kentucky 32
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