Table of Contents
At 8:00 PM ET on Thursday, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (3-3) are at home against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3-2).
The Bulldogs are expected to lose by at least a touchdown (currently +7) against the Hilltoppers (with an over/under of 59.5 points).
Create your Pick’em Pool with the Internet’s #1 pool creation and hosting platform. Get 15 friends together and play for free!
Start here >
Game Info for Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech
- Game Day: Thursday, October 5, 2023
- Game Time: 8:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPNU
- Location: Ruston, Louisiana
- Stadium: Joe Aillet Stadium
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky | -7 | -110 | -110 | 59.5 | -110 | -110 | -274 | +222 |
Western Kentucky Pick Insights
- Western Kentucky has posted a 3-1-0 record against the spread this season.
- In games it has played as at least 7-point favorites this season, Western Kentucky is 1-0 against the spread.
- Western Kentucky has combined with its opponent to go over in one of four games with a set total (25%).
Western Kentucky Stats & Insights
- Western Kentucky has the 76th-ranked offense this season (382.8 yards per game), and have been less effective on the other side of the ball, ranking sixth-worst with 472.8 yards allowed per game.
- Western Kentucky is putting up 31.6 points per game on offense, which ranks them 55th in the FBS. On defense, the defense ranks 96th, allowing 29.2 points per contest.
- Western Kentucky has the 27th-ranked passing offense this season (284.6 passing yards per game), and has been less effective on the other side of the ball, ranking 20th-worst with 267.6 passing yards allowed per game.
- It’s been a difficult stretch for Western Kentucky in terms of running the ball, ranking 15th-worst in rushing offense (98.2 rushing yards per game) and 11th-worst in rushing defense (205.2 rushing yards per game allowed) in 2023.
- Western Kentucky is putting up a 38% third-down percentage on offense, which ranks them 87th in the FBS. On the other side of the ball, the defense ranks 106th, allowing a 44.2% third-down conversion rate.
- With 14 forced turnovers (first in the FBS) against seven turnovers committed (66th in the FBS), Western Kentucky’s +7 turnover margin is the fifth-best in college football.
Western Kentucky’s Best Players
- Austin Reed has recorded 1,361 yards (272.2 ypg) on 130-of-211 passing with 11 touchdowns compared to two interceptions this season. In addition, he’s added 70 rushing yards (14 ypg) on 23 carries while scoring three touchdowns on the ground.
- LT Sanders has carried the ball 17 times for a team-high 113 yards on the ground.
- This season, Markese Stepp has carried the ball 27 times for 104 yards (20.8 per game) and one touchdown.
- Malachi Corley’s 336 yards as a receiver pace the team. He’s been targeted 47 times and has collected 29 catches and two touchdowns.
- Easton Messer has put together a 280-yard season so far with three touchdowns, reeling in 22 passes on 26 targets.
- Moussa Barry has racked up seven receptions for 129 yards, an average of 25.8 yards per game. He’s scored one time as a receiver this season.
- Kendrick Simpkins has four sacks to pace the team, and also has four TFL and 20 tackles.
- Jaques Evans, Western Kentucky’s leading tackler, has 28 tackles and one sack this year.
- Bryson Washington leads the team with one interception, while also recording 13 tackles and one pass defended.
Louisiana Tech Betting Insights
- Louisiana Tech has a 3-3-0 record against the spread this season.
- Louisiana Tech has a 1-1 record against the spread in games it was an underdog by 7 points or more this year.
- Louisiana Tech hase hit the over in two of six games with a set total (33.3%).
Louisiana Tech Pick Insights
- In terms of total yards, Louisiana Tech ranks 81st in the FBS (376.3 total yards per game) and 74th on defense (377.5 total yards allowed per game).
- Louisiana Tech ranks 80th in the FBS with 27 points per contest on offense, and it ranks 74th with 25.7 points allowed per game on defense.
- Louisiana Tech ranks 79th in the FBS with 224.3 passing yards per contest, but it has been carried by its defense, which ranks sixth-best by giving up just 152 passing yards per game.
- Louisiana Tech’s defense has been bottom-25 in run defense this season, ceding 225.5 rushing yards per game, which ranks fourth-worst in the FBS. On offense, it ranks 69th with 152 rushing yards per contest.
- Louisiana Tech is posting a 34.6% third-down conversion rate on offense this season (104th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is allowing a 35.1% third-down rate (42nd-ranked) on defense.
- At -1, Louisiana Tech sports the 83rd-ranked turnover margin in the FBS, with six forced turnovers (76th in the FBS) and seven turnovers committed (66th in the FBS).
Louisiana Tech’s Best Players
- Hank Bachmeier has compiled 756 yards (126 per game) while completing 66% of his passes and collecting five touchdown passes with two interceptions this season.
- The team’s top rusher, Tyre Shelton, has carried the ball 37 times for 318 yards (53 per game) with three touchdowns.
- Keith Willis Jr. has rushed for 240 yards on 33 carries with three touchdowns.
- Smoke Harris’ 368 receiving yards (61.3 yards per game) are a team high. He has 37 catches on 45 targets with three touchdowns.
- Cyrus Allen has collected 331 receiving yards (55.2 yards per game) and two touchdowns on 18 receptions.
- Kyle Maxwell has racked up 113 reciving yards (18.8 ypg) this season.
- Deshon Hall has two sacks to pace the team, and also has three TFL and 20 tackles.
- Myles Heard, Louisiana Tech’s top tackler, has 57 tackles and two TFL this year.
- Willie Roberts has picked off a team-high one pass. He also has 22 tackles and one pass defended to his name.
