Saturday evening, the Army Black Nights travel to take on the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks at Malone Stadium. Both teams will be looking to start the season off strong to become bowl-eligible after failing to make bowls in 2022. Here’s our prediction, along with a betting and DFS preview.
Army vs. Louisiana-Monroe Betting and DFS Preview
- Spread
Army (-9) - Moneyline
Army (-360); Louisiana-Monroe (+285) - Over/Under
47.0 points - Game time
7 p.m. ET - Location
Malone Stadium, Monroe, LA - Predicted Weather at Kick
91 degrees, Partly Sunny with Thunderstorms, 51% chance of rain, 8 mph winds - How to Watch
FuboTV, NFL Network
Looking to bet on the game? Use our widget below to easily place your bet if it is legal in your state.
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
While there aren’t any DFS options for this game, you’d be wise to start ULM WR Tyrone Howell in your college fantasy football lineups. Howell averaged 17 yards per reception and had six receiving touchdowns last season. Looking for each team’s depth chart? Click the appropriate link to view: Army Depth Chart | Louisiana Monroe Depth Chart
Prediction for Army vs. Louisiana-Monroe
There are plenty of unknowns in this game. Starting with the weather, there’s between a 40%-50% chance of rain throughout the night. That could slow down the offenses and the scoring.
Next, Army brings in their new offensive coordinator, Drew Thatcher, as Army moves away from the flexbone offense. We should expect to see more throws but still a run-heavy scheme. Keep an eye on wide receiver Isaiah Alston, who will get more attention in this new scheme.
Army’s defense struggled early last season but drastically improved as the season went on; linebackers Led Lowlin and Camden O’Gara will set the tone for the defense.
Louisiana-Monroe lost two runningbacks and their starting quarterback to the transfer portal. They do return star receiver Tyrone Howell, so expect him to get more than his fair share of targets.
Louisiana-Monroe will look to Kenard Snyder to slow Army’s rushing attack, but they’ll rely on some transfers to fix last season’s defensive issues.
Pending an unforeseen disaster with Army’s new offense, they should move the ball against the Warhawks’ defense. This game will come down to what Louisiana-Monroe can do offensively and what role weather plays.
Prediction
Army 28, Louisiana-Monroe 20