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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 underdogs, but by less than a touchdown (+6), versus the Hilltoppers (with an over/under of 60 points).
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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 | -6 | -110 | -110 | 60 | -110 | -110 | -239 | +195 |
Western Kentucky Pick Insights
- Western Kentucky has a 3-1-0 record against the spread this season.
- Western Kentucky is 2-0 against the spread so far when playing as at least 6-point favorites.
- Western Kentucky has combined with its opponent to hit the over in one of four games with a set total (25%).
Western Kentucky Stats & Insights
- Despite sporting a bottom-25 defense that ranks sixth-worst in the FBS (472.8 yards allowed per game), Western Kentucky has had more success offensively, ranking 76th in the FBS offensively putting up 382.8 yards per game.
- Western Kentucky ranks 55th in scoring offense (31.6 points per game) and 96th in scoring defense (29.2 points allowed per game) this season.
- Western Kentucky owns the 27th-ranked passing offense this season (284.6 passing yards per game), and has been worse defensively, ranking 20th-worst with 267.6 passing yards allowed per game.
- With 98.2 offensive rushing yards per game (15th-worst) and 205.2 rushing yards allowed per game on defense (11th-worst), Western Kentucky has been struggling on both sides of the ball this year in the running game.
- Western Kentucky is averaging a 38% third-down percentage offensively this year (87th in the FBS), and is giving up a 44.2% third-down percentage (106th) on the defensive side of the ball.
- 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 1,361 pass yards for Western Kentucky, completing 61.6% of his passes and collecting 11 touchdowns and two interceptions this season. He’s also chipped in on the ground with 70 rushing yards (14 ypg) on 23 carries with three rushing touchdowns.
- The team’s top rusher, LT Sanders, has carried the ball 17 times for 113 yards (22.6 per game).
- Markese Stepp has carried the ball 27 times for 104 yards (20.8 per game) and one touchdown.
- Malachi Corley’s leads his squad with 336 yards as a receiver. He’s racked up that yardage on 29 receptions (out of 47 targets) and scored two touchdowns.
- Easton Messer has put up a 280-yard season so far with three touchdowns, hauling in 22 passes on 26 targets.
- Moussa Barry has hauled in seven catches for 129 yards, an average of 25.8 yards per game. He’s scored one time as a receiver this season.
- Kendrick Simpkins paces the team with four sacks, and also has four TFL and 20 tackles.
- Western Kentucky’s top-tackler, Jaques Evans, has 28 tackles and one sack this year.
- Bryson Washington has picked off a team-high one pass. He also has 13 tackles and one pass defended to his name.
Louisiana Tech Betting Insights
- Louisiana Tech is 3-3-0 against the spread this year.
- Louisiana Tech has a 1-1 record against the spread in games it was an underdog by 6 points or more this year.
- Two of Louisiana Tech’s six games with a set total have hit the over (33.3%).
Louisiana Tech Pick Insights
- With 376.3 total yards per game on the offensive side of the ball, Louisiana Tech ranks 81st in the FBS in 2023. Defensively, it ranks 74th, giving up 377.5 total yards per game.
- Louisiana Tech is posting 27 points per contest on offense this season (80th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is surrendering 25.7 points per game (74th-ranked) on defense.
- Louisiana Tech’s pass defense has been leading the way for the team, as it ranks sixth-best in the FBS with 152 passing yards surrendered per contest. In terms of offense, it is generating 224.3 passing yards per game, which ranks 79th.
- Louisiana Tech ranks 69th in rushing yards per game (152), but it has been worse on the other side of the ball, ranking fourth-worst in the FBS with 225.5 rushing yards allowed per contest.
- Louisiana Tech ranks 104th in the FBS with a 34.6% third-down conversion percentage on offense, and 42nd with a 35.1% third-down percentage allowed on defense.
- After forcing six turnovers (76th in the FBS) and turning the ball over seven times (66th in the FBS) this season, Louisiana Tech sports the 83rd-ranked turnover margin of -1.
Louisiana Tech’s Best Players
- Hank Bachmeier has thrown for 756 yards on 66% passing while recording five touchdown passes with two interceptions this season.
- Tyre Shelton is his team’s leading rusher with 37 carries for 318 yards, or 53 per game. He’s found paydirt three times on the ground, as well.
- Keith Willis Jr. has racked up 240 yards (on 33 attempts) with three touchdowns.
- Smoke Harris leads his squad with 368 receiving yards on 37 catches with three touchdowns.
- Cyrus Allen has caught 18 passes and compiled 331 receiving yards (55.2 per game) with two touchdowns.
- Kyle Maxwell has racked up 113 reciving yards (18.8 ypg) this season.
- Deshon Hall paces the team with two sacks, and also has three TFL and 20 tackles.
- Louisiana Tech’s tackle leader, Myles Heard, has 57 tackles and two TFL this year.
- Willie Roberts leads the team with one interception, while also putting up 22 tackles and one pass defended.
