SMU Mustangs vs Louisville Cardinals Prediction, 10/5/2024 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: SMU Mustangs vs Louisville Cardinals

Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024

Location: L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, KY

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Cardinals (-6.5)

Total/Over-Under: 57

The SMU Mustangs (4-1) are headed to L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium on Saturday, October 5, 2024 where they will play the Louisville Cardinals (3-1). SMU opens this matchup as 6.5-point underdogs from Vegas oddsmakers. The over/under comes in at 57.

The SMU Mustangs come into this matchup with a record of 4-1 this season. The last time they took the field, the Mustangs took on the Florida State Seminoles and took home the win by a score of 42-16. The SMU Mustangs ran the football 51 different times and totaled 204 yards, which is an average of 4.0 yards per attempt. On the day, they ran 74 plays for 458 yards. SMU conceded 12 pass completions on 34 attempts for a total of 222 yds, and a completion percentage of 35.3%. On the ground, the Mustangs gave up 63 yards on 26 tries, which averages out to 2.4 yds per rush allowed.

The Mustangs have attained 2,097 total yards for the year. When it comes to getting the ball in the endzone, SMU has compiled 9 touchdowns through the air and 11 touchdowns via the ground. They have surrendered the ball 7 times. SMU has accounted for 115 first downs as a unit, and they have been called for 38 penalties for 377 yards. As a team they hold an average of 205.6 yards on the ground which has them sitting 27th in the nation. In terms of scoring points, the SMU Mustangs have an average of 42.2 PPG.

The Mustangs are ranked 52nd in the nation concerning their opponents scoring, allowing 21.4 points per contest. The opposition is running for an average of 2.7 yards per attempt on the ground and 88.8 rushing yards per contest on the campaign. Over the course of this season, they have conceded 444 running yards through 5 contests. In terms of yards through the air, the Mustangs have given up 1,112 yards which has them ranked 99th in D-1. They have yielded 222.4 yards per game through the air as well as allowing a completion percentage of 51.2%. In total, they are granting 311.2 yards/game which has them sitting 38th in the nation. They have surrendered 10 touchdowns through the air and 4 touchdowns pounding the rock.

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The Cardinals head into this game 3-1 for this season. For their last game, the Cardinals went home defeated by a final of 31-24 against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Louisville rushed the ball for 3.7 yards per tote, finishing with a total of 131 yards on 35 carries. The Cardinals finished the contest with a total of 395 yards and they ran 76 plays (5.2 yds per play). The Cardinals pass defense allowed a completion percentage of 73.9%, relinquishing 163 yds on 17 out of 23 passing. Louisville allowed 31 running attempts for 117 yards (3.8 yds per rush).

The Louisville Cardinals are averaging 475.5 yards per outing, ranking them 17th in the country. The Louisville offense has totaled 191 yds of penalties on 22 infractions, which ranks 103rd in college football in terms of hurting your team. They are averaging 178.5 run yards per game and have run for 714 yards for the year. They have thrown 1 interception while allowing opponents to recover 2 fumbles and they have been able to earn 85 first downs. In relation to their ability to score points, the Cardinals are ranking 17th in college football by scoring 41.5 points per contest. For the season to this point, the Cardinals have earned 1,188 passing yards together with an average of 297.0 passing yards per game, which ranks 23rd in D-1.

The Cardinals are giving up 16.0 points per contest, which has them sitting 27th in Division 1. Louisville has allowed a total of 379 rushing yards (94.8 yards per game) and 5 touchdowns via the rush so far this year. This season, they have given up 64 points. They have allowed the opposition 3 touchdowns through the air in addition to 176.8 yards/game, which has them ranked 34th in D-1. The Cardinals defense has taken part in 241 plays, which has them sitting 14th in D-1. They have totaled 4 fumbles recovered and 2 picks this year.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Mustangs +6.5

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