The State of Louisville

Fourth Down: Louisville Football Irrational Bets and a Rational Prediction

We went 2 for 3 last week. Let’s take a look at some Louisville football bets that could make for a solid payout.

Riley Leonard 175+ passing yards (+130)

Notre Dame’s passing game has been “sus” as the kids say. But there are reasons for that.

The Irish have lost a lot depth-wise on the offensive line. As they are working to get the passing game going, Leonard and tailback Jeremiyah Love have been lethal on the ground.

I’m looking for Louisville football to load the box and sell out to stop the run.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals secondary- a perceived strength entering the season- has been banged up.

Even if Quincy Riley and Corey Thornton are a full go, one would expect Notre Dame to test this secondary, especially if Louisville is going to put its corners in 1-on-1 situations.

Tyler Shough 2+ passing TD (+120)

Woah, woah, woah. You’re telling me that Notre Dame- a team that has given up 3 pass TDs all season is going to surrender 2 or more to Louisville?

While it seems unlikely on the outset, I feel if there’s a quarterback and receiver room that could do it, it’s Tyler Shough and this crop of pass-catchers.

Last week, Louisville football passed the pill 19 times. But that was throughout only 7 Cardinals drives- One of which was a one-play safety forced by Georgia Tech.

When Louisville did pass, it was lethal and accounted for a handful of explosive plays through the air.

This Notre Dame secondary is stingy. It boasts preseason All-Americans at corner and safety. And those guys will be locked in on trying to stop the dynamic duo of Brooks and Bell.

Meanwhile, the Brohms still have entire sections of playbook untouched. Between two games against over-matched opponents and the anomaly game against the Yellow Jackets, Shough has only attempted 76 passes and 7 rushes.

Notre Dame presents an opportunity to spread things out and stretch out the Irish defense.

Look for heavy involvement from Louisville’s tight ends, receivers Ahmari Huggins-Bruce, and Jimmy Calloway, and a potential return from star receiver Caullin Lacy.

Shough leads the ACC in Yards Per Catch and Adjusted Yards Per Pass Attempt, and has a chance to have a statement game in South Bend.

Louisville football ML (+200)

If Louisville football has aspirations of competing for an ACC Championship and making the college football playoffs, this is a game that you have to win.

Not because Louisville would be knocked out of the race. This is a non-conference road game. The Cards would still control their own destiny and could clinch a top 4 seed with an ACC title.

I think Louisville football needs to win this game because it is simply the better team, and Jeff Brohm is the better coach.

Things were close early last season before the Cards raced out to a 33-13 lead on the back of its defense and running game.

This season, while the teams are far different, Louisville football fans should expect the results to be the same.

Notre Dame is not lacking in talent, and that is what will keep them in this game. But they are also not a well-assembled squad and the play-calling and execution has been pretty suspect thus far.

When it comes down to it, I simply trust Jeff Brohm and Tyler Shough far more than Marcus Freeman and Riley Leonard.

I think Louisville football can scheme players open well enough to move things on offense. Defensively, I believe the front 7 is strong enough to contain Leonard and Love in the run game.

The only way Notre Dame covers in this one is if the Cards turn the ball over multiple times.

Prediction:

Louisville 34, Notre Dame 28

If you really want to make some money, check out Overtime with Corey Miller.

Next: Overtime: Bets College Football Bets of the weekend with Corey Miller

Previous: Third Down: Keys to the Game
Next: Overtime: Week 5 Betting Preview

Also See:

Second Down: Depth Chart Analysis

First Down: What to know about Louisville-Notre Dame + Final Thoughts on Georgia Tech

About the Author

Presley Meyer

Founder, Editor, and Creative Director | Born and raised in Louisville, Presley is a former student-athlete and graduate of Louisville Male and The University of Louisville.

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