Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Old Dominion Monarchs Prediction, 12/18/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Old Dominion Monarchs

Date: Monday, December 18, 2023

Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, NC

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Monarchs (+5)

Total/Over-Under: 53.5

The Old Dominion Monarchs (6-6) will take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7-5) at Jerry Richardson Stadium on Monday, December 18, 2023 in the Famous Toastery Bowl. Old Dominion is 5-point underdogs from oddsmakers. The total comes in at 53.5.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers step onto the field holding a record of 7-5 for this season. In their last game, the Hilltoppers faced the FIU Panthers and notched a win by a score of 41-28. Austin Reed went 26/35 with 280 yds passing and 4 touchdowns. He had a QB rating of 179.2 and finished the contest without throwing a pick. Markese Stepp led the offense in rushing for the Hilltoppers with 7 totes for 32 yards (4.6 yds per attempt). On the day, they ran 73 plays which converted into 407 yds. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers ended up rushing 32 different times and compiled 74 yards, earning them an average of 2.3 yds per carry. Against the run, the Hilltoppers gave up 52 yds on 21 attempts, which averages out to 2.5 yds per rush allowed. Western Kentucky allowed 27 completions on 49 tries for a total of 249 yds, and a completion percentage of 55.1%.

When it comes to putting points on the board, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have an average of 29.8 points per outing. As a unit they're maintaining an average of 108.1 yards on the ground which has them sitting 117th in the nation. The Hilltoppers have attained 4,752 total yards over the course of this season. When it comes to getting in the endzone, Western Kentucky has totaled 34 passing touchdowns and 12 touchdowns via the ground. Western Kentucky has recorded 234 1st downs as a unit, and they have been hurt by 54 infractions for 454 yds. They have given the ball to the opposition 18 times.

Concerning yards via the pass, the Hilltoppers are allowing 2,863 yards which has them ranked 89th in college football. They have allowed 238.6 yards per game through the air in addition to conceding a completion percentage of 58.2%. During the season, they are allowing 428.1 yards/contest which puts them 117th in college football. They have allowed 19 touchdowns via the pass and 22 touchdowns pounding the rock. Opposing teams are running for an average of 4.8 yards per run and 189.5 rushing yards per contest so far this season. During the season, they have conceded 2,274 running yards through 12 games. The Hilltoppers are sitting in 88th in the nation when it comes to team defense, conceding 28.2 points per game.

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The Monarchs step onto the field holding a record of 6-6 this year. The last time they took the field, the Monarchs walked away with a victory by a final of 25-24 against the Georgia State Panthers. Grant Wilson (1 touchdown) ended the contest with 208 yds on 15/33 through the air while his quarterback rate was 102.3. He had 1 interception and his average yards per attempt was 6.3. Obie Sanni carried the ball 10 times for 85 yards, finishing the contest with 8.5 yards per carry for Old Dominion. Old Dominion ran the football for 2.9 yds per attempt, finishing with a total of 105 yards on 36 carries. The Monarchs finished the contest with a total of 313 yards while running 69 plays (4.5 yds per play). The Monarchs pass defense allowed a completion percentage of 72.2%, surrendering 203 yards on 26 for 36 through the air. Old Dominion surrendered 40 run attempts for 97 yards (2.4 yards per rush).

Concerning how much they score, the Monarchs rank 101st in college football with an average of 22.9 points per game. The Old Dominion Monarchs hold an average of 350.6 yards per game, which ranks them 95th in college football. The Old Dominion offense has 710 yards of penalties on 74 infractions, which is good for 59th in the country in terms of helping out the opposition. They have tossed 10 interceptions while surrendering 7 fumbles and they have been able to earn 203 1st downs. Over the course of the season so far, the Monarchs have compiled 2,410 passing yards as well as an average of 200.8 throwing yards per outing, ranking them 97th in the country. They maintain an average of 149.8 yards per game via the rush and have toted the ball for 1,798 yards overall.

The Monarchs are conceding 26.3 points per game, which has them sitting 66th in D-1. Old Dominion has conceded a total of 1,769 rushing yards (147.4 yards per contest) as well as 13 touchdowns via the rush on the year. This year, they have given up 316 total points. They have given up 23 touchdowns through the air and 238.3 yards per game, which has them in 86th in the country. The Monarchs defense has been on the field for 886 plays, which is 124th in the nation. Their defense has tallied 7 fumbles and 10 interceptions for the year.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Monarchs +5

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