11/1 12:00 PM CF (351) WESTERN KENTUCKY at (352) LOUISIANA TECH
FREE PICK: (352) LOUISIANA TECH -6.5
Here’s a good example of how final scores frequently don’t tell the real story, and how betters can derive value moving forward. Western Kentucky got the win and cover last Saturday as they ended up with an insane 66-51 victory over visiting Old Dominion.
The game was close than that final tally indicates, and one could easily argue that the Hilltoppers were a little fortunate to just win the game, let alone cover. One fourth quarter play really swing this free for all. The Monarchs were driving for a go ahead score when disaster struck. Juwan Gardner played the hero role for the home team when he picked off a pass and rumbled 96 yards for a TD that pretty much ended the proceedings. If Gardner doesn’t make that play, there’s a really good chance ODU gets the upset.
I make sure and keep notes on games that go like this one for a couple reasons. One is the potential of an immediate profit by garnering some value the next week. The other is for future reference. I’ll have next year’s meeting between these teams circled as a possibly strong revenge spot for Old Dominion.
As for this Saturday, I actually ended up downgrading Western Kentucky on my various power rankings off what I deemed an artificial win. The Hilltoppers have been going backwards for some time now, with their matador defense the primary culprit. There’s no question this team can put points on the scoreboard, but right now they aren’t stopping anyone.
Louisiana Tech has now won three straight, in spite of playing very lackluster first half offense the last two games, against UTSA and Southern Mississippi. But the Bulldogs are doing a solid job on defense, and if they can put forth a similar effort on Saturday, it bodes well for their chances against Western Kentucky.
I’m not real enamored with the home team’s offense. They should be running the ball better than they have recently, and that portion of their game needs to come back to life on Saturday. But that really doesn’t figure to be a problem against the shoddy Hilltoppers stop unit, which is about as bad as it gets presently.
I made this number considerably more than where it opened, and even with the spread going up some over the last couple of days, it’s still in what I would consider to be a beatable range. I expect Louisiana Tech to get home by double digits this weekend, so I’ll recommend laying the points with the Bulldogs.
---
More free content, including daily free picks, now on my homepage
My last CFB release this week is my best - taking advantage of strong value offered by late-breaking injury info. My Game of Week is now available.