Line movement - W Ky vs Old D

Okay the line opened at W Ky favored by 4.5 and now Old D is favored by 4.5  That is a move of 9 points.  What gives?  All I see is that both teams suck and both teams have lots of opt outs.  Does anyone know what's going on here?

Thanks.  

Maybe the WKU QB is sitting out? I have not seen anything definitive but there was talk of it being a possibility.

I read that W Kentucky’s stud WR (nfl prospect) said he is playing and the QB is too.   So, I too am confused as I would have put this line at -5 or so for W Kentucky.   Anyone else have any info?

Austin Reed is not expected to play at QB, and I believe the backup is in the portal. That news just came out recently and has pushed the spread a couple points. I think the previous steam came for the opt outs on the WKU side.

With that said, I think some news came out recently that a couple players in the portal for WKU might play. I try to keep up with this crap every day, but it’s all over the place…

The little I read said Reed is playing.   Line movement makes no sense …. Or does it.    

3rd stringer is up for wku and 3 ol not playing.

All I know is that ODU is covering the spread. BOLTA

Bowl games and college sports in general have become a joke with the portal and nil.  Its all about money now. 

By Dean Straka
17 hrs ago

WKU QB Reed opts out late: Western Kentucky is set to be without its biggest weapon on offense in this one after it was reported that sixth-year senior quarterback Austin Reed will opt out of the contest. It marks the end of what has been quite the journey for Reed; the 23-year-old has thrown for more than 14,000 yards in his NCAA career between stops at Southern Illinois, West Florida and Western Kentucky. Reed led the FBS in passing during the 2022 season with 4,744 yards. No other Hilltoppers quarterback has attempted more than eight passes (Turner Helton) in 2023, so it's a steep drop off with Reed sitting out.

With Reed in the equation, Western Kentucky had to like its chances against Old Dominion, especially considering the Monarchs were already pedestrian at best in stopping the pass before losing their top defender in Henderson. That's not the case anymore as the Hilltoppers prepare to turn to Helton, a redshirt freshman, for his first career start at quarterback. How Helton fares may very well decide this contest; a Western Kentucky defense that finished the regular season outside the top 100 is unlikely to win this one for the Hilltoppers. Old Dominion's track record in this series may not be pretty, but the Monarchs suddenly feel like a much safer pick than they did just 48 hours ago thanks to Western Kentucky's quarterback change. Pick: Old Dominion -3.5

ODU 2da bank!!!!!!!

Turner Helton is a redshirt freshman quarterback at Western Kentucky. His father Clay Helton was previously the head coach of USC from 2015 to 2021.

Threw 8 passes this year. He currently backs up preseason CUSA Offensive Player of the Year Austin Reed. His head coach is also Tyson Helton - Clay Helton's brother. 

Got to be quite a culture shock to go from Rancho Palos Verdes Estates in LA and son of the Head Coach at USC to...Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Pardon me, but from the Penthouse to the Waffle House.  

@Espn80000

 Ive been to both places and I will take Bowling Green Kentucky 7 days a week.

huge line moves seem to rarely work out wku max bet

@grobari-pz

@rosswin97

 You know what works out even less than huge line moves? Max bets on QB's with 8 snaps.

As mentioned, THREE starting OL for WKU hit the portal.  That's tough to replace in a short amount of time and keep the plays running with the same efficacy.