Miami vs. Louisville Odds
LOUISVILLE, KY (The Spread) – A new ACC rivalry is born tonight at 8PM ET when the Louisville Cardinals host the Miami Hurricanes on ESPN.
View Current College Football Odds
Miami is coming off a 9-4 record in 2013 and is entering the fourth year under coach Al Golden. Louisville was 12-1 last year and 7-1 in the American Athletic Conference, which included a 36-9 win over Miami in the Russell Athletic Bowl. Louisville has a new coach in Bobby Petrino, who coached the team in a previous stint.
Trends show that Miami is 1-6 against the spread in its last 7 conference games while Louisville is 13-3 ATS in its last 16 conference contests. Miami has hit the over in 7 of its last 8 games in September.
According to oddsmakers from Bovada.lv, Louisville is favored at home in this game, as the Cardinals have odds of -3.5 points against Miami. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 54 points (View Matchup). The opening odds for this game had Louisville as a 3-point favorite. The spread dropped to a low of 2.5 points before reaching a peak of 4. The odds then settled in at Louisville -3.5. The over/under total opened at a high of 56 points and hit a low of 53.5 before closing at 54.
Louisville averaged 35.2 points per game last year, and even though Teddy Bridgewater is gone, the offense should be just fine under Petrino. The Cardinals have six starters back this year, with four coming on the offensive line. Will Gardner will get the start at quarterback, and he is without stud receiver DeVante Parker, who is out indefinitely with a foot injury. Defensively, Louisville allowed only 12.2 points and 251.5 yards per game last year, but those numbers should be worse this season. The team has a strong defensive end in Lorenzo Mauldin, who had 9.5 sacks a year ago. Also back is cornerback Charles Gaines, who intercepted five passes in 2013.
Miami has some serious questions to answer, especially at quarterback. Brad Kaaya, a freshman will get the start, but he may not be the top option. The Hurricanes lost one QB to an injury in the spring and have one suspended today. Still the Hurricanes have three starters back on the line and running back Duke Johnson is back after rushing for just under 1,000 yards in 2013. Defensively, Miami has seven starters back from a group that allowed 26.8 points and 426.4 yards per game. The Canes will be led by Denzel Perryman, a senior linebacker that tallied 108 tackles last season. Also back is cornerback Tracy Howard, who had four interceptions a year ago.
Bet on College Football Week 1 Odds
In terms of Injuries, Louisville running back Michael Dyer is doubtful with a quad injury while safety Jermaine Reve is out with a knee issue. Miami receiver Rashawn Scott is out with a shoulder injury while defensive back Rayshawn Jenkins is out with a back injury.
The Public Bets are backing Louisville, as the Cardinals are getting 52% of the wagers with odds of -3.5 points against Miami tonight.
Want More From TheSpread.com? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook or Subscribe to Our News Feeds!