Western Kentucky vs Louisiana Tech Odds, Picks, and Predictions: Defenses Gives Us Betting Edge

Two rivals undefeated in conference play will face off tonight as Conference-USA hopefuls clash with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers visiting the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.

Western Kentucky snapped a two-game losing streak with a 31-10 win over the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders last weekend. College football odds have the Hilltoppers a 6.5-point favorite over Louisiana Tech, which beat the Texas El Paso 24-10 last week. 

The Hilltoppers boast a potent passing attack, but it will run into one of the better passing defenses outside of the Power Five conferences. We’ll break down what this means in our free college football picks below.

Western Kentucky vs Louisiana Tech best odds

Western Kentucky vs Louisiana Tech picks and predictions

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs secondary has been brilliant this year, allowing an average of just 152 yards per game through the air on the season. Sure, the Bulldogs haven’t played the greatest competition in the world, but that does include games against legitimate teams like UTEP, Nebraska, North Texas, and SMU.

With 11 sacks and four interceptions on the year, this is a defense that can get at the passing game in multiple ways.

That defense will be tested on Thursday when Louisiana Tech faces off against Western Kentucky Hilltoppers quarterback Austin Reed. He's thrown for 11 touchdowns against just two interceptions while compiling 1,368 yards so far this year. The Hilltoppers aren’t playing the best teams in the world every week either, but Reed was even solid enough against Ohio State of all teams, going 21-for-37 with a touchdown and 207 yards — along with one interception — in Columbus. 

Still, that game did show this isn’t a team that can score at will regardless of how the other team lines up. The best mid-major offenses tend to be effective — though not explosive — even against elite competition, but we’ve already seen Western Kentucky slowed down by Ohio State, while both Troy and MTSU also stopped the Hilltoppers from going wild on offense. Louisiana Tech’s secondary should pose problems for Reed.

The Bulldogs could have some trouble scoring themselves on Thursday night. The status of Louisiana Tech starting quarterback Hank Bachmeier is still unclear this week after he missed the last two contests with a shoulder injury.

Sophomore Jack Turner hasn’t been overly impressive while taking over in those two games, throwing just three touchdowns against two interceptions. Against UTEP, Turner went 9-for-20 for 152 yards through the air, 85 of which came on one play in Louisiana Tech’s first drive.

Even if Bachmeier makes it back, he’s hardly a top-tier quarterback himself, and there will be questions about just how ready he is to play coming off the injury. With Bachmeier in the lineup, Louisiana Tech averaged 31 points per game, and that was buoyed heavily by a 51-point outburst against Northwestern State of the FCS. 

Both teams have played to the Under in each of their last two games, with the highest of the four scorelines producing just 51 points.

Oddsmakers have set a generous total of 59.5 points, well above the level these offenses have been playing at recently. I’m comfortable taking the Under, as I feel this matchup isn’t as favorable for the offenses as it may look at first glance.

My best bet: Under 59.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
Picks made at time of writing may not reflect live odds.

Western Kentucky vs Louisiana Tech same-game parlay

Under 59.5 (-110)

Louisiana Tech +6.5 (-115)

+235 at FanDuel

I’m keeping things simple for this week’s same-game parlay, combining the total and the spread to come up with a combination that I think matches how this game should play out. That starts with taking the Under at 59.5 points, which I feel is far too high of a total in this matchup.

I’m going to combine that with a bet on Louisiana Tech and the points. While Western Kentucky is legitimately the better team here, they're playing on the road against a ferocious defense that should be able to keep this one close. This game has upset potential for the Bulldogs and I certainly expect it to end as a one-score game.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Western Kentucky vs Louisiana Tech spread and Over/Under analysis

Initially, there wasn’t much agreement on the spread for this game, with most books having Western Kentucky -7.5. That number has come down to a consensus line of Western Kentucky -6.5, with most books offering -110 on both sides of that number.

The Hilltoppers have gone 3-2 against the spread this season. The Bulldogs are 3-3 ATS but have gone 3-1 against the number in their last four games.

I like Louisiana Tech here, though I feel a need to advise caution in betting the spread on this game. While I think the Bulldogs can stay in this game regardless of who plays quarterback for them, I like their chances better with Bachmeier behind center. If Bachmeier is good to go, then my lean is towards Louisiana Tech; otherwise, I’d stay off this market.

The opening totals for this game started anywhere from 59.5 to 60.5 points. Since then, the number has come down to a consensus Over/Under of 59.5 at all major sites, with -110 on both sides of the line.

The Under has put up a 4-2 record in Louisiana Tech games this year. It has also gone 3-2 when Western Kentucky has played in 2023. 

I made the Under my best bet for a reason. The Louisiana Tech defense is nothing to scoff at, which should slow down a Western Kentucky offense that has struggled against other talented units.

Meanwhile, I’m not convinced that the Bulldogs can find ways to punish the Hilltoppers, who have been fine on defense against everyone but Ohio State. This number is far too high; take the Under.

Western Kentucky vs Louisiana Tech betting trend to know

The Under has gone 2-0 in the last two games overall for both Western Kentucky and Louisiana Tech. Find more college football betting trends for Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech.

Western Kentucky vs Louisiana Tech game info

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