by Rod Pearson
Monday, Dec 30, 2024
Game Time: 2:00 pm ET, Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Venue: Sun Bowl, El Paso, TX
Where to Watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Louisville -2.5, Washington +2.5; Over/Under: 49.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Louisville -2.5, Washington +2.5; Over/Under: 49.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Louisville -2.5, Washington +2.5; Over/Under: 49.5 points
Season Record
Louisville Cardinals: 8-4 (5-3) (6th place, ACC)
Washington Huskies: 6-6 (4-5) (11th place, Big Ten)
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Louisville Cardinals: won their last game on the road against the Kentucky Wildcats 41-14.
Washington Huskies: lost their last game on the road against the Oregon Ducks 49-21.
Louisville Cardinals vs Washington Huskies Preview and Analysis
Louisville is entering this game with an 8-4 record overall and they have a 5-3 record in their conference games too. They are 4-2 in their home games, 4-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at a neutral site for this game. They won their last game against Kentucky 41-14. Tyler Shough was the starting QB and he completed 9/18 passes for 128 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Isaac Brown led the team in rushing yards with 178 and 2 TDs. Chris Bell led the receivers with 84 receiving yards on 3 receptions. Stanquan Clark led the defense in that game with 3 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while TJ Quinn, Ramon Puryear, Dezmond Tell, and Rene Konga each led the defense in sacks with 0.5. Tahveon Nicholson, Tamarion McDonald, and Quincy Riley each came away with 1 interception for them in that one.
Washington is entering this game with a 6-6 record overall and they have a 4-5 record in their conference games too. They are 6-0 in their home games, 0-5 in their road games, and they are also 0-1 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at a neutral site for this game. They lost their last game against Oregon 49-21. Demond Williams Jr. was the starting QB and he completed 17/20 passes for 201 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. Adam Mohammed led the team in rushing yards with 23. Giles Jackson led the receivers with 69 receiving yards on 6 receptions and 1 TD. Thaddeus Dixon led the defense in that game with 4 solo tackles and 4 assisted tackles while no one on the defense recorded a sack for them. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.
Louisville vs Washington Prediction
The current betting odds have Louisville listed as a 2.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Louisville has looked good in their games this season with their 8-4 record overall and their 5-3 conference record which has them right near the top of the ACC. They went to the ACC Championship last season and weren't really a threat to go back this year, but they still put together a great season and will be looking to finish it with a bowl win. Meanwhile, Washington hasn't looked great in their games this season with their 6-6 record overall and their 4-5 conference record which has them in the bottom half of the Big Ten. They went to the National Championship last season, but they were decimated after the season and even had a new head coach for this year. They were a solid team at home all season, but they were very different when they weren't there, going 0-5 in road games and 0-1 in neutral site games this season. They ended the regular season with a huge loss to their rival Oregon, and they even had to bench their starting QB Will Rogers. They have been a disaster this season when they haven't played at home and Louisville is going to have some momentum since they ended the regular season with a huge win over their rival Kentucky. Jeff Brohm is also in his 2nd season coaching this team and he has produced 2 great seasons in his first 2 years, he will have his team ready to go for this bowl game. The best way to place a bet here is on Louisville to cover the spread in this game.
Louisville Washington Prediction: Our NCAAF Pick for Tuesday, December 31, 2024 (2:00 pm ET start time) is Louisville 41 Washington 24.
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NCAAF Betting Trends
Louisville Cardinals: 5-2 ATS when the line is +3 to -3. 9-4 ATS in non-conference games. 9-4 ATS after playing their last game on the road. 8-4 ATS vs. good passing teams averaging 250 or more passing yards/game. 7-4 UNDER after a win by 17 or more points. 8-5 UNDER after playing their last game on the road. 8-4 UNDER vs. good passing teams averaging 250 or more passing yards/game.
Washington Huskies: 4-8 ATS when the total is between 49.5 and 56. 0-5 ATS after allowing 37 points or more last game. 5-9 ATS vs. good passing teams averaging 8 or more passing yards/att. 9-3 UNDER as an underdog. 8-4 UNDER when the total is between 49.5 and 56. 10-5 UNDER vs. good passing teams averaging 8 or more passing yards/att.
Key Injuries
Louisville Cardinals: T. Shough (QB) Out - Unknown. J. Johnson (TE) Out - Ankle. J. Calloway (WR) Questionable - Undisclosed. J. Thompson (WR) Out - Undisclosed. T. Holloway (DB) Out - Suspension. C. Lacy (WR) Out - Redshirt.
Washington Huskies: Z. Durfee (DE) Out - Undisclosed. J. Washington (RB) Questionable - Undisclosed. T. Purcell (QB) Questionable - Undisclosed. R. Otton (TE) Questionable - Undisclosed. R. Davis (DL) Questionable - Undisclosed. J. Jennings (DE) Questionable - Undisclosed. Q. Moore (TE) Out - Knee. A. Parker (DL) Out - Knee. J. Parker (DL) Out - Achilles. C. Crowell (TE) Out - Undisclosed.
Notable Quotes
“We talked about tackling. Everybody tackling with your eyes, with your shoulders, with your arms, your body, not going for the ankles and swarming the ball. when you do that, that’s when you get extra arms and hands on the ball and you can knock things out.” - Jeff Brohm after his team’s win against UK in their regular season finale.
“As I said to our team, now you have a chance to play in the postseason, and you earned that right — through 12 games, not through one. When you win six, you get to play in a bowl game and that's what we're looking forward to doing.” - Jedd Fisch after his team’s loss against Oregon in their regular season finale.
Starting Lineups
Louisville Cardinals
WR Bell, Chris
WR Hicks, Cataurus
WR Lacy, Caullin
TE Redman, Mark
QB Bailey, Harrison
RB Brown, Isaac
Washington Huskies
WR Boston, Denzel
WR Hunter, Jeremiah
WR Jackson, Giles
TE Latu, Keleki
QB Williams Jr., Demond
RB Coleman, Jonah
Statistical Leaders
Louisville Cardinals
Passing: T. Shough (3195)
Rushing: I. Brown (1074)
Receiving: J. Brooks (1013)
Touchdowns: I. Brown (12)
Washington Huskies
Passing: W. Rogers (2458)
Rushing: J. Coleman (1011)
Receiving: D. Boston (807)
Touchdowns: J. Coleman (10)
Coaches:
Louisville Cardinals: Jeff Brohm (2nd season)
Washington Huskies: Jedd Fisch (1st season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
