Idaho Vandals vs UL Monroe Warhawks Point Spread Picks

Louisiana-Monroe fought back from a 16-0 deficit before finally losing 34-31 on a field goal with no time remaining in last year's meeting and looks to avenge that tough loss this week. Idaho was destroyed 68-21 at Missouri for its third straight loss and it snapped a string of three straight UNDERS for the Vandals, who have gone UNDER five of their seven games this season. UL-Monroe had won three in a row before losing its last two games against Georgia State and South Alabama. The Warhawks averaged 7.5 yards per rush while gaining 309 yards on the ground against South Alabama and quarterback Caleb Evans had a decent outing completing 14-of-23 for 179 yards while rushing for 90 yards. Idaho was out of its league against Missouri, but the Vandals are only 2-5 straight-up on the season with one of the wins in overtime against South Alabama and the other against FCS Sacramento State. Idaho has stayed UNDER its last five home games and seven of nine after losing by at least 20 points. The Warhawks have covered the spread five of their last six road games dating to last season. Play UL-Monroe and the UNDER.

Idaho has two wins on the season with a tough schedule, already facing a pair of Pac-12 teams. Coach Paul Petrino is doing a good job, improving the offense in each of the last two seasons. Two games ago they were a +14.5 dog and beat UNLV, 33-30. The Vandals are 7-3 ATS when following a straight-up loss. They face a UL-Monroe program with one victory (over Southern), off a 2-11 SU, 4-7-1 ATS season. Monroe has home field, but the Warhawks are 6-14-1 ATS in their last 21 home games. Idaho leads the series 4-3, which includes last year's 27-13 victory. In that game Idaho had 315 yards passing and 174 rushing, while Monroe mustered just 243 total yards, including 57 yards rushing (2.5 ypc). Play Idaho.

The Idaho Vandals have had just one winning season since 1999, and that won't change this year. They are just 7-46 since 2011, and is a team that has been long starved offensively, as they have scored just 20 points per game in their last 53 games. The offense this season is no better and is far below average on the ground and in the air. The UL Monroe Warhawks are an even worse offense averaging just 4.7 yards per play. While neither defense is above average, neither has the offense to take advantage, and I think this is going to be a lot lower-scoring game than indicated. UL Monroe owns a 10-4 mark to the UNDER in their last 14 on the road vs. a team with a losing home record. Idaho has played four of their last five UNDER vs. a losing team. Make the play on the UNDER in this one.