WKU at Louisville - 9/12/20 College Football Picks and Prediction

Western Kentucky improved mightily from 2018 to 2019, as the team went from 3-9 in 2018 to 9-4 with a bowl win in 2019. Western Kentucky took down Western Michigan in the First Responder Bowl last year, and the team was also able to upset Arkansas on the road during the regular season. Western Kentucky will look to build on its success from a year ago, and that all starts in this game against a tough Louisville school. Western Kentucky will have a new starting quarterback this season, as it looks like Davis Shanley is the #1 quarterback on the depth chart. Shanley is a redshirt junior that did not play in 2019. Western Kentucky does return lead-running back Gaej Walker in 2020. Walker rushed for over 1,200 yards in 2019, and he also had eight rushing touchdowns. Western Kentucky is led by head coach Tyson Helton. 

Louisville also improved considerably after a really poor 2018 campaign. Louisville was a measly 2-10 in 2018, but the school improved to 8-5 a season ago. Louisville took down Mississippi State in the Music City Bowl by the score of 38-28 to cap off a successful season. Louisville will look to build on a promising year, and they will need a win against Western Kentucky to do so. Louisville returns starting quarterback Micale Cunningham in 2020. Cunningham threw for over 2,000 yards with 22 passing touchdowns and only five interceptions a year ago, and he will be entering his junior year with Louisville. Louisville will also have their leading rusher from a year ago in Javian Hawkins. 

Louisville is only favorited by 11 points in this game, and I have to admit I am a bit surprised. I think Louisville can win this game by at least two touchdowns, and I think Louisville will score at least 30 points in this one. Western Kentucky is well-coached, but I do not think they have the firepower to stay in this game for too long.