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Free NCAA Football Prediction: Hilltoppers vs. Black Knights Odds
Looking for Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Army Back Knights free picks? College football betting sees the Hilltoppers taking on the Black Knights on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at Michie Stadium in West Point, NY. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 2 predictions like this Team Hilltoppers Black Knights pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 2
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (1-0) vs. Army Back Knights (1-0)
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 11:30 am EST
Venue: Michie Stadium, West Point, NY
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: Hilltoppers +7 / Army -7
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Hilltoppers +225 / Army -250
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 52
Week 2 college football sees the W. Kentucky Hilltoppers and Army Black Knights meeting at Michie Stadium.
Well, it is only fitting that Army gets to host a big game on September 11. Air Force will be playing Navy as well so that makes today a little more special for our military men. On a personal note, I live about 5 exits away from the base and I am thinking about making the half-hour drive and taking in the game live and in person. It is so hard to think that 20 years ago our city changed in such a big way, and being from NY it never goes away.
Anyway, the Black Knights have a game to focus on as they welcome a Hilltoppers squad to West Point. Both teams picked up an opening day win to start the year 1 – 0 although the Hilltoppers have a couple of extra days’ rest from their 59 – 21 over UT-Martin on September 2.
The Black Knights took care of business against Georgia State out of the Sun Belt Conference with a 43- 10 victory on September 4.
There are likely a few remaining players who took part in the last meeting between these teams in 2019. W Kentucky were 4-point dogs and upset the Back Knights 17 – 8 in Bowling Green, KY. 2019 was certainly a down year for Army as they only took 5 wins snapping a 3-year run to a post-season bowl game.
Hilltoppers head coach Tyson Helton begins year #3 with the head whistle while Army enters their 8th season with Jeff Monken manning the sidelines.
The Black Knights are favored by 7 points in this Conference USA vs. Independent Conference matchup.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
The Hilltoppers pulled off an upset the last time they met and they will be hoping history repeats itself on Saturday. As 7-point dogs, the Hilltoppers had a fun practice, er uh, game, last weekend against UT-Martin.
A 52 – 19 win had the former 4-year starter at Houston Baptist QB Bailey Zappe looking all sorts of in control of the game. Only 7 balls hit the ground out of his hand as he completed 28 of 35 for a smashing 424 yards. Oh, did I mention he threw 7 TD in the win? Yeah, dude was ballin’ it up and making it look easy but the Army defense is not UT-Martin anymore, Toto!
Oh, you forgot? Well, let me remind you that Army held 6 teams to under 10 points last year with a huge 15 – 0 win over the Naval Academy to boot. Defense? The Hilltoppers are certainly aware that it won’t be as easy as their win last time out, although Zappe really did look so comfy in the pocket. Granted, when you have time to sit back and pick your spots it is much easier to complete passes. In fact, I think he just found another receiver open and we haven’t even started the game yet.
Zappe used 11 different pass-catchers to earn those 424 yards and 7 TD. Get open, I’ll find ya! In all honesty, the Hilltoppers were balanced too with Robichaux and Cofield picking up a combined 84 yards on 19 carries.
Zappe had 6 different receivers go for over 50 yards with senior Jerreth Sterns leading the way taking in 7 balls for 107 yards and two scores. Sophomore TE Josh Simon was used effectively finding the end zone twice on 3 receptions. At 6-5, Simon can make himself nice and visible for Zappe and he did just that in the red zone.
Army Black Knights
The Black Knights passing game looked amazing in their opening weekend win over Georgia State, right? I mean hey, 3 of 4 (75%) and 98 yards through the air in a 43 – 10 win is big.
Yeah, calm down now because there was one goal and one goal only and it was to run the ball, run the ball, and run the ball some more. We all know the plan for head coach Jeff Monken and that is to tote the rock and wear you down for 60 minutes. Completing a few passes along the way? Hey now, that’s just a bonus, baby!
Make no mistake that all 3 QBs that Monken used did more with their feet than they did in the passing game. Christian Anderson… 1 completed pass for a 40-yard score with 15 rush attempts for 55 yards and a score. Jemel Jones… 1 pass attempt for a 32-yard score with 5 rushes grabbing 13 yards. Tyhier Tyler… 1 pass attempt for a 26-yard gain with 8 runs for 36 yards.
So yeah, the plan is the same week after week and we expect none of that to change. The Hilltoppers run defense better be mega prepared to see someone coming out of the army backfield early and often.
In all, 12 different players had at least 1 rush in the game to render the 258 yards gained on the ground.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- Hilltoppers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. INDEP.
- Hilltoppers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as a road underdog.
- Hilltoppers are 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14 road games.
- Over is 11-3 in Hilltoppers’ last 14 games on field turf.
- Over is 5-2 in Hilltoppers’ last 7 games as an underdog.
- Over is 5-2 in Black Knight’s last 7 games overall.
Free Week 2 NCAA Football Pick
When this line went from 4.5 to 7 I couldn’t thank whoever banged the hell out of Army out there enough LoL
A touchdown, and Zappe finding everything under the sun to throw a football at? Yes please, thank you! Will the Hilltoppers get broken down on defense with 500 runs against them? Of course, they will take a beating but at least you know it is coming. Army doesn’t exactly try to hide the fact they are going tun the ball all damn day!
4* Free Week 2 NCAA Betting Pick:
Give me the damn points, baby! Army is tough as nails but this Zappe kid, if we can call him that having 4 years under his belt, is a stud. I expect Army to run all day and the Hilltoppers to throw it around just as often.
4* Free Week 2 NCAA Betting Pick: Western Kentucky +7
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