Louisville vs. West Virginia: Spread Info, BCS Impact, Line and Predictions

We have a Big East battle between the West Virginia Mountaineers and Louisville Cardinals in Morgantown this Saturday afternoon.

Both teams are still very much alive in their quest to win the conference and make a BCS bowl with just one loss in the conference apiece.

It should be a good one out there and a very close game, so keep reading to find out all you need to know about this matchup.

Where: Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV

When: Saturday, Nov. 5 at 12:00 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN 3

Spread: West Virginia -13.5

Big East matchups seem like they are most susceptible to upsets.

WVU already lost in a shocking upset in a Big East battle against Syracuse, 49-23, in a game in which they were a 14-point favorite.

Louisville has taken down Syracuse themselves and also share a mutual win against Rutgers with WVU.

I think this game is going to be closer than the oddsmakers believe and I think it will be decided by a touchdown. That’s why I am taking Louisville +13.5.

Main reason: The last two times these teams have played have both been decided by eight points or less.

Over/Under: 51.5

Both of these teams possess offenses capable of putting up big numbers on the board but they will slow things down and grind this game out to just attempt to get a win.

The last two matchups have both gone under with totals of 27 and 26. This game won’t go near 52 points.

Key Injuries (via CollegeInjuryReport.com)

Louisville

CB Anthony Conner (OUT, neck) is done for the year after a scary neck injury suffered against Rutgers. He recently left the hospital and is not paralyzed, which is a great blessing.

West Virginia

No major injuries to report.

BCS/Top 25 Poll Implications

WVU is barely hanging in the BCS Top 25, currently sitting at No. 24. They need to win here to continue their climb back up.

The most important aspect of this game is the Big East race. Only Cincinnati is undefeated in the conference and WVU, Louisville and Pittsburgh have one loss apiece.

The winner of this game has a great chance of continuing their campaign to automatically qualify for a BCS bowl as the Big East champion.

Keys to Louisville Win: Brick-wall defense.

The Cardinals are going up against one of the top passing offenses in the nation led by Geno Smith and they will really need to bring their A-game on the defensive side of the ball.

Fortunately for Louisville, their defense is stout. They rank No. 12 in total defense and No. 11 in points allowed. They’ll need to be good as ever to pull out this win.

Keys to West Virginia Win: Wide receiver play

The passing game at WVU is ranked No. 7 in the nation largely due to Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin. These kids are absolute beasts and get the job done when it counts.

They have been racking up yards and touchdowns and making it look easy for Geno in Dana Holgorsen’s offense.

Prediction

West Virginia 21 Louisville 14