The Louisville Cardinals and Murray State Racers do battle Thursday night in week 2 college football action at Cardinal Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Murray State Racers Betting Preview

The Murray State Racers are coming off a week 1 win over Presbyterian and looks for their first 2-0 start since 2020. Murray State has lost 10 of its last 12 road games. Eric Phoenix is completing 80 percent of his passes for 121 yards, 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions. Taylor Shields and Cole Rusk have combined for 118 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Golden Eke has 2 receptions. The Murray State Racers ground game is averaging 231 yards per contest, and Q’Daryius Jennings leads the way with 80 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Murray State is allowing 10 points and 196 yards per game. Nick Walker leads the Murray State Racers with 7 tackles, Detoye Adewole has 0.5 sacks and Justus Johnson has 1 pass deflection.

Louisville Cardinals Betting Preview

The Louisville Cardinals also look for a 2-0 start after beating Georgia Tech in week 1. Louisville looks for its first 2-0 start since the 2017 season. Louisville has won 8 of its last 12 regular season home openers. Jack Plummer is completing 58.1 percent of his passes for 247 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Jamari Thrash and Kevin Coleman have combined for 154 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, while Chris Bell has 2 receptions. The Louisville Cardinals ground game is averaging 229 yards per contest, and Jawhar Jordan leads the way with 96 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Louisville is allowing 34 points and 488 yards per game. Josh Minkins leads the Louisville Cardinals with 7 tackles, Dezmond Tell has 1 sack and Ramon Puryear has 1 interception.

Louisville Cardinals Team Facts

• Louisville has won each of its last five games at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium.
• Louisville has covered the spread in each of its last five games at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium.
• Louisville has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
• Louisville has won the first half in 20 of its last 26 games against non-conference opponents at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium.
• Each of Louisville’s last five games against non-conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Louisville ranked 7th among FBS teams for Q4 points allowed per game last season (4.2).
• Louisville ranked 8th among FBS teams for H2 points allowed per game last season (7.8).

Randy’s Pick

The Louisville Cardinals are obviously more than capable of blowing the doors off in this contest, but this is a ton of points, and you have to ask yourself where the motivation to lay the wood. Louisville is fresh off a hard fought game against Georgia Tech and has a big game next week against Indiana. Possible look ahead or letdown spot. This is a lot of free touchdowns. It’s Murray State or pass for me.