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The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3-2, 1-0 CUSA) and the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (3-3, 2-0) meet Thursday at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, La., for a Conference USA tilt. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPNU). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Hilltoppers picked up a 31-10 victory against Middle Tennessee last Thursday in their CUSA opener as they bounced back from consecutive road losses at Ohio State and Troy. Western Kentucky cashed as a 6.5-point favorite as the Under (60.5) connected. and has covered the past 2 games to improve to 3-2 against the spread (ATS) overall.
The Bulldogs halted a 2-game skid with a 24-10 win at UTEP last Friday, its 2nd win in as many tries in conference play. Louisiana Tech has covered 2 in a row, and 3 of the past 4 games overall, while cashing the Under in the past 2 outings. The Under is 4-2 in the past 6 games overall, too.
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Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Western Kentucky -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Louisiana Tech +202 (bet $100 to win $202)
- Against the spread (ATS): Western Kentucky -6.5 (-105) | Louisiana Tech +6.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 59.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech picks and predictions
Prediction
Western Kentucky 36, Louisiana Tech 25
Moneyline
Western Kentucky (-250) will cost you 2 1/2 times your potential return, which is too much risk and not enough reward for a road team in a conference battle.
The Hilltoppers have dropped both of their games on the road this season while Louisiana Tech is 2-1 SU in 3 games at home this season, although it lost against North Texas in Ruston in the most recent home contest.
AVOID.
Against the spread
WESTERN KENTUCKY -6.5 (-105) is worth a look in this road game, especially if it remains under 7. The road team has cashed the past 2 meetings in this series.
The Hilltoppers have cashed in 2 straight games (at Troy, vs. Middle Tennessee) while going 3-1 ATS in 4 games against FBS opponents. The only non-cover for WKU is a road game against Ohio State. Back the ‘Toppers.
Over/Under
OVER 59.5 (-110) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.
The Under has cashed in each of the past 2 games for Western Kentucky, although this offense averages 284.6 passing yards per contest while racking up 31.6 PPG. On the flip side, the Hilltoppers defense struggles with 472.8 total yards per game, and 205.2 rushing yards per contest, both ranked 125th or lower in FBS.
WKU has coughed up 29.2 PPG too, so there is the opportunity for Louisiana Tech to flourish.
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