Western Kentucky vs Arkansas NCAA Football Picks 11/9/2019

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

Ty Storey and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers head to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday where they'll meet the Arkansas Razorbacks. Western Kentucky opens this game as 2.5-point underdogs. The Hilltoppers are 6-3-0 ATS and 4-5-0 when betting on the total. The Razorbacks are 3-6-0 when wagering on the over/under and 2-7-0 against the spread.

The last time they took the field, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers took on the Florida Atlantic Owls and took the loss by a score of 35-24. Running the show from under center for the Hilltoppers was Ty Storey who went 32/47 with 380 yards through the air and added 2 touchdowns. He tossed 3 interceptions during the game. Gaej Walker paced the team on the ground for that contest. He broke a long run for 12 yards but he never crossed the endzone by way of the rush. He rushed for 53 yards on 14 carries which gave him an average of 3.8 yards per run. Lucky Jackson led the team in receiving yardage by earning 194 yards on 9 receptions. He had an average of 21.6 yards per reception for that contest. The Hilltoppers rushed the ball a total of 26 times and totaled 64 yards which had them averaging 2.5 yards per rushing attempt. In the game, they ran 73 plays which gave them a total of 444 yards. For the game, the Hilltoppers racked up 21 first downs and they totaled 4 penalties for 38 yards which tells us that they had an average outing in terms of discipline. In terms of defense, Western Kentucky allowed 20 catches on 31 tries totaling 259 yards, and a completion percentage of 64.5%. On the ground, the Hilltoppers allowed 189 yards on 37 attempts which is an average of 5.1 yards per attempt allowed. In the game, they allowed a total of 448 yards but finished the game without a turnover.

The Hilltoppers step onto the field holding a record of 5-4 for this season. In terms of scoring, they are one of the marginal teams in the country averaging 22.6 points per contest, putting them 106th in the nation. As a team, they are averaging 107.6 yards on the ground per game which is 13th in C-USA. For total yards, they rank 9th in C-USA and 86th in the nation with 3,243 yards. The Hilltoppers have one of the best defenses in Division 1, allowing 20.7 points per game ranking them 2nd in Conference USA. When it comes to yards through the air, the Hilltoppers have conceded 2,275 yards. Teams are completing 55.3% of the throws they are attempting against them and averaging 7.6 yards per attempt. In terms of yards on the ground, Western Kentucky is giving up 126.2 yards per game putting them 3rd in Conference USA and 31st in D-1. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.4 yards per carry which has them at 2nd in Conference USA and 24th in the nation overall. Overall, they have allowed 1,136 rushing yards through 9 contests.

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In their last contest, the Arkansas Razorbacks faced the Mississippi State Bulldogs and lost 54-24. Rakeem Boyd led the team on the ground for the game. He tore off a long run of 52 yards and he notched 1 TD in the game. He rushed for a total of 114 yards via 11 carries which had him averaging 10.4 yards per run. Treylon Burks led the team in receiving yardage by earning 32 yards on 2 catches. He earned an average of 16.0 yards per catch for the game. Taking the lead at quarterback for the Razorbacks was Ben Hicks who went 4/13 with 44 yards passing but didn't get a passing TD in the game. He gave away 1 pick on the day. The Razorbacks ended up rushing 25 times and racked up a total of 184 yards earning them an average of 7.4 yards per attempt. On the day, they totaled 49 plays for 285 yards. Overall, the Razorbacks earned a total of 10 first downs and they totaled 2 penalties for 10 yards which means they were extremely disciplined in this game. On the defensive side of the ball, Arkansas allowed 13 completions on 19 attempts totaling 180 yards, and a completion percentage of 68.4%. On the ground, the Razorbacks allowed 463 yards on 56 tries which is an average of 8.3 yards per rushing attempt allowed. On the day, they gave up a total of 643 yards and forced 1 takeaway.

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The Razorbacks come into this matchup with a record of 2-7. In discussing the offensive production, the Razorbacks have one of the average offenses in college football. Arkansas is having a year to forget in the ground game by averaging 137.2 rushing yards per contest, which has them at 99th in the nation. As a team, they have a total of 1,235 yards rushing through 9 games, so they are going to want to make some changes to the ground game if they want to make teams respect them. The Razorbacks average 355.1 yards per game overall ranking them 100th in the nation and 12th in the conference. The Razorbacks are conceding 35.2 points per game ranking them 14th in the conference and 118th in Division 1. Their pass defense is one of the mediocre units in Division 1. They are giving up 222.2 passing yards per contest. For yards through the air allowed per game, the Razorbacks sit in 10th in the conference. When it comes to points allowed, they have allowed 317 total points. In terms of yards on the ground, they are giving up 222 yards per contest which puts them at 124th in Division 1 and 14th in the conference. In 2019, they have given up 1,998 yards rushing and 18 rushing TDs.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Hilltoppers +2.5

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