Murray State Vs. Louisville: Prediction, Odds, & Best Bet (9/7/23)

Murray State vs. Louisville play in a Thursday night college football matchup at 7:30pm EST in Louisville as a home game for the Cardinals. Louisville is currently a -42.5 favorite with the moneyline unavailable for betting. The total for the game is set at 55. Read on for more Murray State vs. Louisville best bets and predictions as Louisville looks to carry over their impressive second half showing.

Murray State Vs. Louisville Prediction & Best Bet

It was a tale of two halves for the Louisville Cardinals as they were on upset alert after going into halftime down 13-28 to the Georgia Yellow Jackets. Their new look offense mightily struggled out of the gate, failing to get the passing game going and routinely stalling out in the middle of their drives.

Louisville then turned it on in the second half on both sides of the ball, pulling out the win to the tune of 39-34. Their second half performance was intriguing to watch as their ceiling for their season outlook was raised should they continue their high level of play.

Should they want to hit their ceiling as one of the more popular season win total overs, then they will have to find that same level of offensive success as they did in the second half. It was assumed that it would take a game or two for Jack Plummer to integrate into the offense, now getting the opportunity to iron out the wrinkles against a weak Murray State defense.

While Georgia Tech is no world beater on defense, Murray State will serve as an even bigger downgrade as Louisville has massive advantages in all areas on the field. After stalling out for a majority of the first half against Georgia Tech, expect a heavy dose of the pass as Louisville looks to mirror the Purdue downfield pass attack under Jeff Brohm’s tutelage.

As points should be put on the board at lightning quick pace for the Louisville Cardinals, it will be their defense that decides the cover. After letting up 28 points in the first half, Louisville nearly blanketed the Yellow Jackets by holding them to just six in the second half. They excelled at limiting the opposing Success Rate, as well as shutting down Georgia Tech’s Rush Explosiveness.

The Cardinals Def Rush Explosiveness is especially vital as Murray State will bring in a heavy dose of the run. While undersized on the line, their pass attack will struggle to develop as the pocket will be constantly pressured against the Cardinals defensive line.

Murray State Vs. Louisville Odds

With advantages at every position and motivation to get their offense on track, oddsmakers set Louisville as a massive -41.5 favorite. That number is only available at a number of shops as books tend to hold off on setting lines in lopsided affairs. 

As for the total, points are expected to be scored at a lightning quick pace as oddsmakers opened the total at 55. While Louisville will certainly do their part, it will be up to Murray State to carry over the rest. Should the first half Louisville defense show up then Murray State will be able to capitalize on downfield success against a Cardinal defense that ranked 87th in Def Pass Explosiveness.

Murray State Vs. Louisville Key Matchups

Can the Cardinals ground game round back into form after a lackluster start? Who takes the go-to receiver role?

Jahwar Jordan vs Racers Rush Defense

It wasn’t exactly the ideal start from Jahwar Jordan that Louisville backers had hoped for as he was limited to just seven carries. Since getting integrated back into the offense, Jordan exploded out of the backfield to an incredible 96 yards at 13.7 yards per carry.

Jawhar Jordan, the next great Louisville running back 🔥 https://t.co/YVx7DiPCvG

— Dalton Pence (@dpence_) September 5, 2023

Louisville’s offensive success is heavily correlated to Jahwar Jordan as his elite running ability opens up the rest of the offense. With Brohm’s system relying on downfield passing success, Plummer will find himself with more wide-open passing lanes with opposing linebackers having to creep up in an effort to slow down Jordan.

Step on up

Back when Purdue had a respectable pass attack, they always had a go-to receiver. Louisville has yet to find their man, yet they may have something in Jamari Thrash.

Building a connection with a new quarterback takes time and Thrash has stepped ahead of the pack by finishing week one with seven receptions, 88 yards, and two touchdowns. It will be intriguing to see if Plummer continues to favor Thrash while he wreaks havoc on Murray State’s secondary.

Louisville vs Murray St Betting Promo Codes