Upcoming Match-ups
Tmrw
27
Apr
1:00 PM
CLE
ORL
+2.5
-2.5
201.5
3:30 PM
OKC
NO
-1.5
+1.5
209.5
6:00 PM
BOS
MIA
-9
+9
204
8:30 PM
DEN
LAL
-3
+3
216.5
Sunday
28
Apr
1:00 PM
NY
PHI
+5
-5
207.5

Louisville vs UCF Odds, Spread, and Prediction

Chris Hatfield

by Chris Hatfield in College Football

Updated Sep 15, 2021 · 6:45 PM PDT

Malik Cunningham
Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham (3) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Eastern Kentucky in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
  • Central Florida will visit Louisville on Friday night at 7:30 pm ET on ESPN
  • The series is tied at 1-1 between the two schools. After faltering in a major way on the national stage in Game One, this has now turned into an unranked but critical game for Louisville
  • Scroll below for the odds and a breakdown on the Friday night game

Louisville (1-1) welcomes the UCF Golden Knights (2-0) on Friday night at 7:30pm on ESPN. This game has been dubbed by many Louisville fans as the biggest in the career of Scott Satterfield. After being demolished on the national stage by Ole Miss, the unrest within the fanbase has settled in. Louisville is 2-5 against the spread (ATS) in its last seven games.

For Central Florida, Friday is another step in the journey to collecting a New Year’s Six bowl game. The Golden Knights know how small room they have for slippage if they hope to be playing then. Their first major test came at home against Boise State, they passed and now we’ll see how they fare on the road. The good news? UCF is 6-1 straight up in its last seven away games.

In what promises to be a critical game for both sides, how will the teams fare? Let’s find out.

Louisville vs UCF Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Louisville +7 (-110) +220 U 67.5 (-110)
UCF -7 (-110) -275 O 67.5 (-110)

Odds via DraftKings on September 16th

DraftKings

Excludes MA.

SIGNUP OFFER

Sign Up & Receive Up to $1,050 in Bonuses

Bet Now
Advertising Disclosure

Louisville Searching for Offensive Identity

Louisville is a team without an offensive identity. They want to run the ball but can’t. They want to rely on their offensive line to bully people off the ball but also have been unable to do that.

In two games against two of the worst rushing defenses the Cardinals will see, they’ve struggled to run the ball. Last week, against FCS opponent Eastern Kentucky, Louisville accumulated 107 rushing yards for an average of 3.2 per carry. That’s not ideal for a run-heavy offense against an FCS opponent. It gets worse the deeper you get into the numbers. Louisville posted 27 open-field yards. Their longest carry was only 16 yards in the third quarter.

The best barometer to judge Louisville thus far comes in their first game against Ole Miss. And things there? They were less than ideal. The graphic above is a good primer of how bad the first half was for the Cardinals. The second half of Ole Miss being on auto-pilot clouds this numbers some, but they still aren’t great.

Louisville was hardly explosive, beyond the fourth quarter, a stat that’s hard to put much stock into given how out of hand it was. The aspect of the offense is relevant when you’re facing an explosive offense. Once again they had an anemic 20 rushing yards in the open field. This issue isn’t as large when you can pass the ball with great success. Louisville hasn’t demonstrated the capacity to do that.

Central Florida looking to Continue it’s Defensive Dominance

The best trivia question you can ask someone right now? Who the best rushing defense in College Football is. Most would say Georgia. Some would say Oregon after it’s dominant performance against Ohio State. But, by the numbers, it’s Central Florida. The Golden Knights have given up a stunning 44 yards in the two games to the tune of 1.1 yards per carry.

One of the best ways to measure defensive success in College Football is it’s havoc rate. Central Florida created an impressive amount of havoc against Boise State, particularly in it’s front seven. That’s something that’s a pretty big deal against Louisville. Especially when you consider how much they want to run the ball as previously mentioned.

Prediction

The prudent play for this game may be taking UCF and the points. While I do expect Central Florida to cover, I do give it a slight pause for two reasons:

1. I expect Louisville Head Coach Scott Satterfield to pull out all the stops in such a critical game.

2. Sharps and public alike have pounded Louisville as the Cardinals are now receiving 68% of the money. The spread has also moved a full two points in most places since opening.

Instead, I will look at the total.

Louisville’s defense is the most improved aspect of its team from a season ago and I expect that to continue. The lack of explosiveness and a talented run defense for UCF will mean lengthy drives with limited points for Louisville. I will look to play the under 68 (-120) and would play it all the way down to 65.5.

  • Prediction: Under 68 (-120)
Author Image