UL Monroe Warhawks versus Northwestern Wildcats Picks and Predictions - Saturday, October 4th
Use Code SSWC UL Monroe versus Northwestern Picks and Predictions - Saturday, October 4th
UL Monroe is traveling to Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois for their week six matchup against Northwestern; keep reading for our UL Monroe versus Northwestern prediction. UL Monroe is eighth in the SBC with a conference record of 1-0 and a season record of 3-1. Northwestern is tenth in the Big 10 with a conference record of 1-1 and a season record of 2-2. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EDT. Don’t get penalized! Increase your bankroll with our free College Football Betting Picks!
UL Monroe Relying On Run Game
UL Monroe is coming off a win last week against Arkansas State with a final score of 28-16. This is the third win of the season for UL Monroe as they look to build upon a season that has started on a good note, following their first conference win of the season.
The Warhawks have been one of the better teams this season when it comes to the run game, ranking 41st overall in total rushing yards and 19th in yards per carry at 5.8. However, this has led to the team being seen as a one-note offense, as their pass game has been nonexistent. UL Monroe is 132nd in passing yards and is 122nd in yards per reception at 6.0. This is concerning when the Warhawks face off against teams that thrive at stopping the run game, like in their game against Alabama, which saw UL Monroe put up zero points and only 93 rushing yards.
Leading the offense this season is junior running back Braylon McReynolds, a South Alabama transfer, who leads the team in rushing yards with 317 in his four games played, averaging 79.3 yards per game on the ground. McReynolds has two touchdowns this season and is averaging 6.5 yards per carry.
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Injuries:
No injuries to report.
Northwestern’s Defense Keeping Them Alive
Northwestern picked up a much-needed win last week against UCLA with a final score of 17-14. This would be the first conference win of the season for the Wildcats. Northwestern is hoping to bounce back after their rough start to the season, already losing two of its four games.
On defense, we are seeing one of the more reliable teams this season when it comes to points and yards allowed. Northwestern is 35th in points allowed and 33rd in total yards allowed. What has been key to their defense is their ability to keep their opponents from grabbing first downs. Northwestern is 32nd in first downs allowed this season and as a result, has them 10th in the country in total plays. Graduate LB Mac Uihlein has been important to the success of this defense, leading the team in interceptions with two in his four games played as well as being tied for the top of the team in tackles for losses, also at two.
While the defense has thrived, the offense for Northwestern has severely struggled, ranking 123rd in points this season, totaling 76 points in their four games played thus far. While their ground game is not terrible, sitting 66th overall in rushing yards and 39th in yards per carry at 5.0, their pass game has struggled the most. The Wildcats are 121st in passing yards and sit 108th in yards per reception at 6.2. This lack of a pass game is the reason why Northwestern sits 104th in first downs, unable to continue drives with the run game alone. The offense is led by sophomore running back Caleb Komolafe, who leads the team in rushing yards at 269 this season, averaging 67.3 yards per game. Komolafe has two touchdowns and is averaging 4.3 yards per carry. Sixth-year running back Cam Porter is out for the season due to injury. DB Damon Waters is expected to play his first game of the season, while DB Josh Fussell could return after missing the UCLA game.
Injuries:
- Strong DL Questionable - Undisclosed
- Smith LB Questionable - Undisclosed
- Blueitt WR Questionable - Undisclosed
- Crane WR Questionable - Undisclosed
- Roberts DL Questionable - Undisclosed
- Fussell CB Questionable - Undisclosed
- Lewis CB Questionable - Undisclosed
- Keeler OG Questionable - Undisclosed
- Williams Jr. CB Questionable - Undisclosed
- Jackson DL Questionable - Undisclosed
- Borcherding OG Questionable - Undisclosed
- Walters CB Questionable - Undisclosed
- Porter RB Out - Lower Body
UL Monroe vs. Northwestern Picks and Predictions
Spread Pick for UL Monroe vs. Northwestern
- UL Monroe +10.5 (-104) ( 3 units)
Northwestern has a record against the spread of 4-8-0 since 2022 in non-conference games. The Wildcats’ offense has been nonexistent this season and they are going up against a pretty reliable offense in UL Monroe. While I do not believe that the Warhawks can grab the win, they should be able to keep this game close, relying on their run game and avoiding turnovers in the air, which Northwestern thrives at. Northwestern may be one of the better defenses in the country, but because of their lack of offense, they should not grab too much of a sizable lead to keep UL Monroe out of reach of a win.
Over/Under Pick for UL Monroe versus Northwestern
- Under 40.5 (-110) ( 3 units)
Northwestern has an over/under record of 3-5-0 since 2023 in games in which they are a home favorite. UL Monroe has an over/under record of 3-5-1 since 2023 in games that follow a win. We will likely not see much scoring from Northwestern as they have continued to find much offense this season, and will be facing off against UL Monroe, who has done a decent job at stopping many of their opposing drives. UL Monroe may be able to put a healthy amount of points on the board, but going up against a stalwart defense that the Wildcats have, it will likely lead to a low-scoring close matchup.
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