The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the Old Dominion Monarchs meet Monday in Famous Toastery Bowl college football action from Jerry Richardson Stadium. Western Kentucky sits at 7-5 overall this year. The Hilltoppers are coming off a win over Florida International in their last game. As for Old Dominion, they’re 6-6 on the season following a win over Georgia State in their most recent outing. Let’s get into our Western Kentucky vs. Old Dominion prediction. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 

The Hilltoppers managed a .500 run over their first 10 games this year, falling to Ohio State, Troy, Jacksonville State, Liberty and New Mexico State. They’ve since won consecutive games, though. Western Kentucky is averaging 29.8 points per game this year on 48 total touchdowns with 33 of those scores (and 12 picks) coming through the air. 

In their latest matchup versus Florida International, the Hilltoppers jumped out to a dominant 34-7 lead by the break and cruised to the victory 41-28. Austin Reed threw for 280 yards with four touchdowns, while Markese Stepp led the rush on 32 yards off seven carries. Malachi Corley added 52 yards and a TD off six grabs. 

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Team Facts

• Western Kentucky has lost 10 of its last 11 games as an underdog.
• Western Kentucky has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games.
• Western Kentucky has won the first half in three of its last four games against opponents from the Sun Belt Conference.
• Each of Western Kentucky’s last five December games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Old Dominion Monarchs

Over on the Monarchs’ side, they went just 4-6 over their first 10 games with wins over Louisiana, Texas A&M-Commerce, Southern Miss and Appalachian State. Old Dominion has won consecutive games as well. The Monarchs average a tepid 22.9 points per game this year, notching 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions via the pass. 

Old Dominion managed to eke out bowl eligibility with a close win over Georgia State in their last matchup. The Monarchs came back from a 21-0 halftime deficit to power out a 25-24 win in an impressive second. Grant Wilson managed 208 yards passing with one score and one interception, and Raymello Murphy caught four balls for 96 yards and a TD. 

Old Dominion Monarchs Team Facts

• Old Dominion has lost six of its last seven games against non-conference opponents.
• The underdog has covered the spread in 10 of Old Dominion’s last 11 games.
• Four of Old Dominion’s last five games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Old Dominion has recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of three points or less of any FBS team this season (2).

ANDREW’S FREE WESTERN KENTUCKY VS OLD DOMINION PREDICTION 

I’ll probably just stick with Western Kentucky in this one. The Hilltoppers are coming off a pretty nice effort versus an overwhelmed FIU team in their last outing, posting 21 first downs and 407 total  yards (333 passing). WKU has now bagged 28 or more points in three straight games and four of their last five. The scoring should continue here as well. 

As for Old Dominion, they get credit for an epic comeback against Georgia State in their last outing. The Monarchs ended up with just 13 first downs and a rough 2-of-16 rate on third-down conversions, though; it wasn’t the prettiest win in the world to say the least. Old Dominion is going to have to get the offense going early in order to keep up on Saturday and I don’t think they’ll quite get there.