In a rematch of last season's Russell Athletic Bowl, the Louisville Cardinals will open their 2014 college football season at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium as slim 3.5-point favorites over the Miami Hurricanes. The Labor Day game marks Louisville's debut in the tough Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cardinals enter the regular season sitting tied for second in odds to win the ACC.
Miami vs. Louisville betting preview, from spread to season props
Louisville and Miami clash in Week 1, with the Cards as small home favorites.
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At 10/1, Louisville is deadlocked with the Clemson Tigers, but sit well back of the defending national champion Florida State Seminoles, who are heavy 1/3 favorites to repeat as ACC champs.
Last year in The American, the Cardinals compiled a 12-1 record straight up, finishing the year ranked No. 15 in the AP Top 25. However, Louisville was a less than stellar bet, posting a sub-par 6-7 record against the spread. Nine times last season the Cardinals were favored by 17+ points, but managed to cover only twice, in wins over Ohio and South Florida. Bettors playing the UNDER in Cardinals games last season were well rewarded, as the team posted a 3-10 UNDER/OVER record.
The Hurricanes will be seeking revenge against Louisville for their embarrassing 36-9 loss in the Russell Athletic Bowl. The defeat capped a mediocre season in which Miami finished 9-4 overall, 5-3 against ACC opponents. The Hurricanes were also a weak 5-8 ATS in 2013, twice losing outright as favorites, to Virginia Tech and Duke.
However, oddsmakers expect the Hurricanes to rebound in 2014, setting the betting line on Miami’s regular season win total at 7.5, with the OVER sporting moneyline odds of 5/8. The Canes also own solid 12/1 odds to win the ACC, tied with Virginia Tech and North Carolina.
With expected starting quarterback Ryan Williams still sidelined following reconstructive knee surgery in the spring, true freshman Brad Kaaya takes over.
But Miami is expected to lean heavily on running back Duke Johnson to lead the team's ground game. The 2012 ACC Rookie of the Year rushed for 920 yards and six TDs in 2013, before his season was abruptly ended in Miami's 41-14 loss in early November. Johnson is the sole Hurricane receiving Heisman Trophy consideration in college football player props wagering, with odds of 33/1.
