Virginia Cavaliers vs Louisville Cardinals Prediction, 11/9/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Virginia Cavaliers vs Louisville Cardinals

Date: Thursday, November 9, 2023

Location: Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, KY

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Cardinals (-16)

Total/Over-Under: 51.5

The Virginia Cavaliers (2-7) are on their way to Cardinal Stadium on Thursday, November 9, 2023 where they will try to beat the Louisville Cardinals (8-1). Louisville opens as 16-point favorites from oddsmakers. The over/under is 51.5.

The Virginia Cavaliers come into this game with a record of 2-7 for this year. In their last contest, the Cavaliers faced the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 45-17. Anthony Colandrea went 21/37 with 200 yards passing and 2 TDs. He had a QB rate of 114.6 and ended the contest with 1 pick. Anthony Colandrea was the leader on the ground for the Cavaliers with 7 attempts for 33 yds (4.7 yds per attempt). The Virginia Cavaliers rushed the ball a total of 29 different times and accumulated 119 yds, which is an average of 4.1 yards per carry. Once the final whistle blew, they ran 69 plays which gave them 351 yds. Virginia relinquished 24 completions on 33 attempts for 209 yards, and a completion rate of 72.7%. Against the rush, the Cavaliers gave up 305 yds on 44 attempts, which calculates to 6.9 yards per run surrendered.

The Cavaliers have earned 3,257 total yards this season. In terms of getting in the endzone, Virginia has amassed 13 passing touchdowns and 11 touchdowns on the ground. They have surrendered the football 16 different times. Virginia has amassed 191 first downs as an offense, and they have committed 50 penalties for 414 yds. Offensively they're averaging 120.2 yards rushing ranking them 106th in Division 1. Regarding putting the ball in the endzone, the Virginia Cavaliers hold an average of 23.1 PPG.

The Cavaliers rank 115th in D-1 when it comes to team defense, conceding 32.4 points per game. They are allowing an average of 4.8 yards per attempt on the ground and 180.3 rushing yards per game for the season. During the season, they have conceded 1,623 yards on the ground through 9 games. Concerning passing yards, the Cavaliers are conceding 1,936 yds which puts them in 49th in college football. They are conceding 215.1 yards per game through the air as well as conceding a completion percentage of 62.6%. Overall, they have surrendered 395.4 yards per game which ranks them 93rd in the nation. They have granted 12 touchdowns by air in addition to 22 touchdowns running the ball.

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The Cardinals come into this matchup with a record of 8-1 for this season. When they last stepped on the gridiron, the Cardinals got the victory with a final of 34-3 against the Virginia Tech Hokies. Isaac Guerendo ran the ball 11 times for 146 yards, ending the contest with 13.3 yards per carry for Louisville. Jack Plummer (1 touchdown) finished the game with 141 yards on 11/12 passing while his QB rating was 217.9. He didn't toss any interceptions and his average yards per attempt was 11.8. Louisville gave up 28 attempts on the ground for 68 yds (2.4 yards per rush). The Cardinals passing defense gave up a completion percentage of 56.5%, relinquishing 72 yds on 13 out of 23 passing. The Cardinals finished the contest with a total of 382 yards and they ran 51 plays (7.5 yards per play). Louisville ran for 6.1 yds per attempt, totaling 231 yds on 38 carries.

In relation to their ability to score points, the Cardinals currently sit 32nd in Division 1 holding an average of 32.9 points per contest. The Louisville Cardinals hold an average of 439.8 yards/contest, which is good for 29th in Division 1. The Louisville offense has 439 yards of penalties on 55 violations, which ranks 58th in Division 1 in terms of giving up free yards. They have thrown 8 picks while allowing opponents to recover 3 fumbles and they have tallied 192 first downs. For the season so far, the Cardinals have a total of 2,268 yards via the pass as well as an average of 252.0 throwing yards per contest, which has them ranked 49th in the country. They are averaging 187.8 run yards per game and have run for 1,690 yards for the season.

The Cardinals are allowing 16.3 PPG, which has them 13th in D-1. Louisville has given up a total of 799 rushing yards (88.8 yards per game) and 7 touchdowns via the rush on the season. This year, they have given up 147 pts. They have allowed 11 touchdowns from the passing game and 196.4 yards per outing, which puts them in 27th in college football. The Cardinals defense has taken part in 538 plays, which has them sitting 9th in college football. Their defense has compiled 6 fumbles recovered and 10 picks over the course of the season.

Who will win tonight's Cavaliers/Cardinals college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Cavaliers +16

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