Army vs Western Kentucky Picks, Line and Odds

Saturday, October 12, 2019

Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium

Kelvin Hopkins Jr and the Army Black Knights go to L.T. Smith Stadium on Saturday where they'll meet the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Western Kentucky opens this game as 4-point dogs. The Black Knights are 2-3-0 ATS and 2-2-1 when betting on the total. The Hilltoppers are 2-3-0 when wagering on the over/under and 3-2-0 against the spread.

Key Army Black Knights Injuries

10/06/19 DB Cameron Jones Undisclosed is questionable Saturday vs Western Kentucky

Key Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Injuries

09/17/19 QB Steven Duncan Foot is out for season
09/06/19 RB Jakairi Moses Knee is out for season

The last time they played, the Army Black Knights played the Tulane Green Wave and were defeated 42-33. Taking the lead at quarterback for the Black Knights was Kelvin Hopkins Jr. who went 9/24 with 170 yards through the air and completed 1 TD. He walked away with 1 interception in the game. Kelvin Hopkins Jr. led the team in rushing for the game. He had a long run of 43 yards and he tallied 2 TD's for the game. He rushed for a total of 132 yards via 24 carries which had him averaging 5.5 yards per run. Camden Harrison was the receiving yardage leader by earning 103 yards on 5 receptions. He averaged 20.6 yards per catch for the game. The Black Knights ended up running the ball 44 times and added 193 yards which gave them an average of 4.4 yards per run. For the contest, the Black Knights earned a total of 21 1st downs and they had 4 infractions for 34 yards which tells us that they had an average outing in terms of discipline. On the day, they totaled 68 plays for a total of 363 yards. When discussing the defense, Army conceded 15 completions on 21 attempts totaling 201 yards, and a completion percentage of 71.4%. For this contest, they allowed a total of 525 yards and earned 2 takeaways. Against the run, the Black Knights conceded 324 yards on 53 attempts which gave them an average of 6.1 yards per carry allowed.

The Black Knights step onto the field holding a record of 3-2 this year. They are one of the most potent offenses in the country averaging 30.2 points per game, putting them 66th in D-1. As a team, they are averaging 273.4 rushing yards per game which is 1st among Independent teams. For total yards, they currently sit at 6th among D-1 Independent teams and 112th in D-1 with 1,731 yards. The Black Knights have one of the best defenses in Division 1, allowing 21.4 points per game which has them at 3rd among FBS Independent teams. When it comes to passing yards, the Black Knights have conceded 934 yards. Teams are completing 63.3% of the throws they are attempting against them and averaging 7.3 yards per try. When it comes to yards on the ground, Army is giving up 148.4 yards per contest which has them at 1st among FBS Independent teams and 61st in the country. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 4 yards per rush putting them 2nd among Independent teams and 60th in Division 1 overall. Overall, they have conceded 742 rushing yards through 5 games.

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The last time they played, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers played the Old Dominion Monarchs and notched a win by a score of 20-3. Leading the way at QB for the Hilltoppers was Ty Storey who went 21/28 with 193 yards passing and tossed 1 touchdown. He gave away 1 interception on the day. Gaej Walker paced the team on the ground for the game. He broke a long run for 25 yards and he added 1 touchdown for the contest. He scurried for 114 yards on 25 carries which had him averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Jahcour Pearson was the leader in receiving yardage with a tally of 67 yards on 7 receptions. He earned an average of 9.6 yards per catch for the game. The Hilltoppers ran the football 37 times and racked up a total of 127 yards earning them an average of 3.4 yards per rush. In the game, they totaled 66 plays which gave them a total of 320 yards. For the contest, the Hilltoppers racked up 21 first downs and they had a total of 4 penalties for 46 yards which tells us their heads weren't always in the game. When discussing the defense, Western Kentucky allowed 11 completions on 27 attempts for a total of 105 yards, and a completion percentage of 40.7%. For this contest, they allowed 160 yards and earned 1 turnover. On the ground, the Hilltoppers allowed 55 yards on 31 carries which gave them an average of 1.8 yards per rushing attempt allowed.

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The Hilltoppers head into this matchup 3-2. Western Kentucky is having a year to forget in the ground game by averaging 97 rushing yards per game, which has them at 127th in the nation. As a team, they have compiled a total of 485 yards rushing through 5 games, so they'll need to look to improve on these numbers if they want to compete with the better teams in the nation. The Hilltoppers average 331.4 yards per contest overall ranking them 114th in D-1 and 11th in the conference. The Hilltoppers are conceding 20.6 points per game ranking them 2nd in the conference and 32nd in D-1. Their pass defense is one of the top units in the nation. They are conceding 192.2 passing yards per game. For yards through the air allowed per game, the Hilltoppers are currently ranked 5th in the conference. When talking about points given up, they have allowed 103 total points. In terms of yards rushing, they are conceding 110.6 yards per contest ranking them 31st in Division 1 and 3rd in the conference. This season, they have allowed a total of 553 yards rushing and 4 rushing TDs.

Who will win tonight's Black Knights/Hilltoppers college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Black Knights -4

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