Old Dominion vs LA Tech 10/30/21 College Football Picks, Odds, Predictions

The Old Dominion Monarchs meet the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Saturday in Week 9 Conference USA college football action from Foreman Field. Louisiana Tech is coming off a game versus UTSA. In that matchup the Bulldogs took a blowout loss. As for ODU, they’re coming off a bye week. The Monarchs last appeared in a 23-point loss to Western Kentucky. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Louisiana Tech went 2-2 over their first four games this year, falling to Mississippi State and SMU while otherwise beating Southeastern Louisiana and North Texas. After that came losses 34-27 to NC State and 19-3 to UTEP. 

In last weekend’s matchup versus UTSA, Louisiana Tech gave up points in every quarter on the way to a 45-16 loss. QB Austin Kendall had 279 yards with two scores and a pick, while Smoke Harris led the receivers with seven catches for 108 yards and a score.

Over on the Old Dominion side, they took a 42-10 loss to Wake Forest in their opener this year, but then bounced back with a big win 47-7 over Hampton. Since then it’s been five straight losses to Liberty, Buffalo, UTEP, Marshall and Western Kentucky, however. 

In the 43-20 loss to the Hilltoppers on October 16, Old Dominion was down 30-3 after the first half and didn’t really have a chance from there. QB Hayden Wolff put up 327 yards with two touchdowns, and Blake Watson led the rush on 104 yards and a score from 22 carries. 

The Bulldogs are 4-1 ATS in their last five after a bye week and 6-2 ATS versus a team with a losing record. LA Tech is also 2-6 ATS in their last eight in October. 

Meanwhile, the Monarchs are 5-16 ATS in their last 21 conference games and 2-7 ATS in their last nine at home. ODU is 1-4 ATS in their last five in October also. 

PICK: I’m probably going to stick with Louisiana Tech here. Sure, they lost in blowout fashion to a good UTSA team last weekend but there are some positives to gather for the Bulldogs. LA Tech put up 401 yards in the loss with 22 first downs and a 5.6-yard average. The three turnovers didn’t help matters though, nor did the eight penalties. 

As for Old Dominion, there’s not a lot to get excited about lately. The Monarchs posted 446 total yards (playing from behind) against Western Kentucky, notching 5.7 yards per play and 23 first downs. ODU was incredibly sloppy however, committing 13 penalties and three turnovers. I like the Monarchs to play a better here but it’s probably still LA Tech’s cover to take.