Free NCAA Football Prediction: Trojans vs. Hilltoppers Odds
Looking for Troy Trojans vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers free picks? College football betting sees the Trojans taking on the Hilltoppers on Saturday, October 1st at L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, KY. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 5 predictions like this Troy-WKU free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 5
(2-2) Troy Trojans vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3-1)
Date: Saturday, October 1st, 2022
Time: 3:30 pm EST
Venue: L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, KY
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: TROY +5 | WKU -5 (Bet Now!)
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Trojans -165 | Hilltoppers -200
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 54.5
The Troy Trojans will travel to Bowling Green and take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers from L.T. Smith Stadium this Saturday on ESPN+. WKU will open as the five-point favorites here at home, with the total opening at 54.5
Troy Trojans
Troy has jumped out to a rather interesting start. The Trojans traveled to Oxford and played Ole Miss well in a losing effort, but they bounced back in their home opener versus Alabama A&M with a 21-point win. Troy the fell on the wrong side of a miracle after the Hail Mary loss to App. State, but they responded last weekend against another upset have Sun Belt school.
In Week 4, Troy (+3) defeated Marshall, 16-7, improving to 3-1 against the spread this season.
Gunnar Watson beat out veteran Jarrett Doege in spring camp, an he’s been pretty efficient through the first two weeks. Watson, a 2-year starter himself, completed 72.3% of his passes against Ole Miss then followed it up with a 351-yard, 4-touchdown performance in the win over Alabama A&M. He’s up to 1,249 passing yards with five touchdowns to five interceptions on the year.
Troy leans heavy on their aerial attack, but Kimani Vidal returned after leading the Trojans in rushing last season. He gained 67 yards on 18 touches (6 catches) against Ole Miss, so he’s been involved early but he’ll have to do more with his touches.
Watson has done a great job of spread the ball around early. Jabre Barber and Deshon Stoudamire each recorded 300 yards during their freshman seasons, and they’re tied for the team lead in receptions (20) thus far, with Barber leading the team with 308 receiving yards.. UAB transfer Rajae’ Johnson has scored in his first two games as a Trojan.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Western Kentucky nearly came away from non-conference play unblemished. WKU defeated longtime rival Austin Peay at home in Week 0, then took a business trip to Honolulu and defeated Hawaii by 32. A tough overtime loss to Indiana would come after their bye week, but the Hilltoppers avenged that loss abruptly last weekend.
In Week 4, Western Kentucky destroyed FIU in their Sun Belt opener, 73-0, improving to 2-2 ATS this season.
Austin Reed has grasped the WKU aerial attack pretty quickly. The senior quarterback tossed for four touchdowns in his debut, but he may had the best game of his college career last weekend. Reed went an efficient 30/35 for 381 passing yards and five touchdowns.
Reed has thrown for 1,257 passing yards with 14 touchdowns to three interceptions through his first five starts for WKU.
The Hilltoppers pass-first approach leaves small run for the ground game. Kye Robichaux has been the lead back, after a big 135-yard game against Indiana, he leads WKU with 265 rushing yards.
Reed has built a connection quick with outside receivers Daewood Davis and Malachi Corley. Davis has caught five passes or more in each of the first four games, and leads KU in receptions (24) and receiving yards (364). Corley caught three touchdowns in the opener, and he’s second on the team with 20 catches and 275 receiving yards. Arkansas transfer Michael Mathison has been effective out of the slot and he’s going 13 catches over the past two games.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- TROY are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- WKU are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Trojans are 3-5 ATS in their last 8 road games.
- Hilltoppers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Free Week 5 NCAA Football Final Anaylsis:
The Fun Belt has provided some good football early, and we may be in for some more here. Troy has been competitive early, but after watching Western Kentucky hang up 73 points last weekend, it may just be safe to stay put with the home team here. The Hilltoppers possess one of the better Air Raid’s in the country, and they simply could end up just being too much for the visiting team. The Trojans win over Marshall wasn’t pretty and we don’t think that will be enough here. Western Kentucky should lay the points comfortably here. WKU by 5
Ride Western Kentucky’s momentum, and take their spread Saturday.
4* Free Week 5 NCAA Betting Pick: Western Kentucky -5
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