In this article, we will formulate a SMU vs Louisville Prediction for this College Football Week 3 matchup on Saturday, September 19th. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Football matchup.
Louisville Cardinals Preview
Louisville has a 1-1 record this season and are coming off a 59-13 home win against Villanova. They will face Wake Forest and NC State next. Offensively, Louisville averages 48.5 points per game, ranking 17th in the nation, while defensively, they allow 27 points per game, which is 102nd. Louisville averages 552 total yards per game (341 passing and 211 rushing), while allowing 370.5 total yards per game (113.5 rushing and 257 passing).
Lincoln Kienholz leads Louisville with 639 passing yards with 68% completed passes and 4 touchdowns. Isaac Brown leads the team in rushing yards with 97, while Tre Richardson has a team-high 11 receptions for 181 receiving yards. Defensively, Koen Entringer has a team-high 12 total tackles (7 of them solo), while Tyler Thompson leads the team with one sack.
SMU Mustangs Preview
SMU has a 2-0 record this season and are coming off a 56-10 home win against UC Davis. They will face Missouri State and Boston College next. Offensively, SMU averages 41.5 points per game, ranking 32nd in the nation, while defensively, they allow 17 points per game, which is 54th. SMU averages 566 total yards per game (442 passing and 124 rushing), while allowing 278.5 total yards per game (130.5 rushing and 148 passing).
Kevin Jennings leads SMU with 767 passing yards with 76.9% completed passes and 8 touchdowns. Kendrick Raphael leads the team in rushing yards with 78, while Yannick Smith has a team-high 6 receptions for 151 receiving yards. Defensively, Jimmy Wyrick has a team-high 11 total tackles (5 of them solo), leading the team with 2 sacks.
SMU Mustangs @ Louisville Cardinals Betting Trends: Week 3
Why the Louisville Cardinals will win
- Louisville has won each of its last eight home games in September.
- SMU has lost 16 of its last 19 road games against AP-ranked teams.
- SMU has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six road games in September.
- Louisville has covered the spread in four of its last five September games as an AP-ranked team.
- Louisville has won the first quarter in each of its last four games.
- Louisville has won the first half in 10 of its last 11 home games in September.
Why the SMU Mustangs will win
- Louisville has lost each of its last seven September games against AP-ranked teams.
- SMU has won 25 of its last 28 games against conference opponents.
- The underdog has covered the spread in eight of Louisville’s last nine games at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium.
- Louisville has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four home games against conference opponents.
- SMU has won the first quarter in four of its last six September games as an underdog against AP-ranked teams.
- Louisville has lost the first half in each of its last seven September games against AP-ranked teams.
Total Points Facts
- Each of SMU’s last seven road games in September have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of Louisville’s last five games as a favorite against AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Louisville Cardinals Player Prop Facts
- Tre Richardson has recorded 75+ receiving yards in six consecutive games – longest streak in the FBS, heading into Week 3.
SMU Mustangs Player Prop Facts
- Kevin Jennings has recorded 300+ passing yards in two consecutive games – equal-longest streak in the FBS, heading into Week 3.
Matchup/League Facts
- One of Louisville’s two games this season have been decided by a margin of three points or less – equal-most amongst FBS teams.
- Louisville ranks T1st among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (100.0).
- SMU ranks 1st among FBS teams for passing yards per game this season (442.0).
- One of SMU’s two games this season have been decided by a margin of three points or less – equal-most amongst FBS teams.
SMU vs Louisville Prediction
In this SMU vs Louisville Prediction, Louisville is coming as -1.5 home favorites. Both teams are coming off big wins in the previous week, with Louisville winning by 36 points at home and SMU by 46 on the road. Both teams have been on fire offensively, scoring 90 points per game combined and as a result, their last three games combined have gone over the total. While this offensive production is unsustainable, the Cardinals rank outside the top-100 of the country defensively, so I expect a high-scoring affair. Take the over 59.5 points in this one.