Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 10/05/2023

Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Thursday, October 5, 2023

Venue:  Joe Aillet Stadium, Ruston, LA 

Where to Watch:  ESPNU

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  WKU -7, LA Tech +7; Over/Under:  59.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  WKU -7, LA Tech +7; Over/Under:  59.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  WKU -7, LA Tech +7; Over/Under:  59.5 points

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers:  3-2 (1-0) (3rd place, C-USA)

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs:  3-3 (2-0) (4th place, C-USA)

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Western Kentucky Hilltoppers:  won their last game at home against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 31-10.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs:  won their last game on the road against the UTEP Miners 24-10.

Western Kentucky is entering this game with a 3-2 record overall and they have a 1-0 record in their conference games too. They are 3-0 in their home games, 0-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against Middle Tennessee State 31-10. Austin Reed was the starting QB and he completed 30/52 passes for 297 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. LT Sanders led the team in rushing yards with 83. Malachi Corley led the receivers with 81 receiving yards on 8 receptions. Takulve Williams led the defense in that game with 7 solo tackles and 5 assisted tackles while Kylan Guidry led the defense in sacks with 1. Takulve Williams and Bryson Washington each came away with 1 interception for them in that game.

 

 

 

Louisiana Tech is entering this game with a 3-3 record overall and they have a 2-0 record in their conference games too. They are 2-1 in their home games, 1-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against UTEP 24-10. Jack Turner was the starting QB and he completed 9/20 passes for 152 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. Tyre Shelton led the team in rushing yards with 104 and 1 TD. Cyrus Allen led the receivers with 85 receiving yards on 1 reception. Willie Roberts and Zach Zimos each led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 4 assisted tackles while Brevin Randle led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that game.

The current betting odds have Western Kentucky listed as a 7 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Western Kentucky is 3-2 this season but they have played some tougher teams too with a loss to Ohio State. They are 1-0 in conference play and they will be looking to get another win on the road here. Western Kentucky doesn't have a great defense but they managed to keep MTSU to just 10 points in their last game and they also have an offense that can put up a ton of points. LA Tech is 3-3 this season but they are already 2-0 in their conference games with some nice wins under their belt. They have also had a weaker schedule though with their 2 conference wins coming against the 2 worst teams in the conference right now. LA Tech is also dealing with QB issues as their starter has missed some games due to an injury and they have gotten by fine without him but now they play one of the better teams in the Conference USA and they won't have the offense to keep up here. Eventually the Hilltoppers will pull away in this game with that strong offense and there will be no way back in this game for LA Tech since their offense has been struggling to put up points lately. The best way to place a bet here is on Western Kentucky to cover the spread in this game.

Western Kentucky Louisiana Tech Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Thursday, October 5, 2023 (8:00 pm ET start time) is WKU 38 LA Tech 20.

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Western Kentucky Hilltoppers: 22-11 ATS in all games. 15-8 ATS as a favorite. 9-1 ATS when the total is between 56.5 and 63. 7-1 OVER off a home win by 17 points or more. 8-3 OVER after 2 or more consecutive wins against the spread. 

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs: 6-12 ATS against conference opponents. 2-9 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins against the spread. 19-10 OVER in all games. 10-4 OVER as an underdog. 11-2 OVER in home games. 31-19 OVER off a road win.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers:  T. Borland (TE) day-to-day - Arm. B. Smith (WR) day-to-day - Undisclosed. R. Robich (LS) day-to-day - Undisclosed. M. Mathison (WR) Out indefinitely - Hip.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs:  B. Randle (LB) Out indefinitely - Suspension. K. Duru (WR) day-to-day - Undisclosed. H. Bachmeier (QB) day-to-day - Shoulder. C. Thornton (RB) day-to-day - Undisclosed. M. Crosby (RB) Out indefinitely - Leg. K. Willis Jr. (RB) Out indefinitely - Ankle.

"Our guys were ready to play. They were excited to play. They had a great look in their eye. Their jaw was set tonight. They were ready to get after it." - Tyson Helton after his team’s win against MTSU in their last game. 

"Coach (Sonny) Cumbie and I met with Brevin Randle today and informed him that he has been suspended indefinitely as a result of the incident during last night's game versus UTEP. In speaking with Brevin, he acknowledges that his action was wrong and understands the consequence of that action. Our University, athletic department, and football program believe in culture, class, and competitive excellence and in no way was that displayed in that moment." - Eric Wood on the suspension to Brevin Randle for stomping on a players in their win against UTEP.

WR Burt Jr., Craig  

WR Smith, Blue

WR Corley, Malachi 

WR Smith, Dalvin 

TE Helms, River 

QB Reed, Austin 

RB Young, Elijah 

WR Edwards, Tru 

WR Allen, Cyrus 

WR Harris, Smoke 

TE Jones, Nate 

QB Bachmeier, Hank 

RB Thornton, Charvis 

Passing: A. Reed (1361)

Rushing: L. Sanders (113)

Receiving: M. Corley (336)

Touchdowns: A. Reed (3)

Passing: H. Bachmeier (756)

Rushing: T. Shelton (318)

Receiving: S. Harris (368)

Touchdowns: S. Harris (3)

Coaches:

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers: Tyson Helton (5th season)

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs: Sonny Cumbie (2nd season)