The Southern Miss Golden Eagles (1-9, 0-6 CUSA) and Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (3-7, 2-4) meet Friday for an 8 p.m. ET kickoff at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, La. Below, we look at the Southern Miss vs. Louisiana Tech odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Southern Miss lost to Texas-San Antonio Saturday and has dropped eight straight games. The Golden Eagles had just 189 total yards against UTSA, and they have averaged an anemic 202.6 yards per contest since Oct. 9. The Eagles’ season average (245.8 yards per game) ranks last in FBS.
The Bulldogs had a losing skid of their own going until they defeated the Charlotte 49ers 42-32 Saturday. The 42 points marked LTU’s most in a single game since Sept. 11. RB Marcus Williams Jr. logged season highs in carries (29) and rushing yards (131) in a contest that saw him score four touchdowns. Louisiana Tech tallied a season-high 504 total yards.
Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Southern Miss at Louisiana Tech odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:53 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Southern Miss +520 (bet $100 to win $520) | Louisiana Tech -800 (bet $800 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Southern Miss +15.5 (-112) | Louisiana Tech -15.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 47.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)
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Southern Miss at Louisiana Tech odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Louisiana Tech 30, Southern Miss 21
Money line
PASS: look to leverage a slight advantage on a USM side against the spread.
Against the spread
Louisiana Tech likes to pass and while Southern Miss has given up a slew of big plays through the air it’s otherwise near-average in keeping opponents off schedule. The Eagles’ overall defense has underlying numbers that spell a better fate than yielding 29.9 points per game.
With regard to the exchange on fumbles and interceptions, peg the Bulldogs as being a shade “turnover lucky” through 10 games.
The underdog is 5-1 across the last six games of this series. TAKE SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI +15.5 (-112) in Friday’s contest.
Over/Under
The Eagles’ offense has been awful, yes, but USM is up against a shaky LTU defense that ranks 113th nationally in total yards allowed (448.7 per game) and is particularly iffy against the pass (285.8 yards per game). The Eagles figure to have more success in their aerial game than usual Friday.
On a decent-weather night and with an extra possession or two, LEVERAGE SOME VALUE ON THE OVER 47.5 (-120).
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