Louisville Cardinals vs Mississippi Rebels Point Spread Picks

This is a high total, but defenses are often ahead of the offenses in Week 1. Louisville's defense was very good last season and returns a terrific linebacking corp, anchored by Monty Montgomery, Yasir Abdullah, and C.J. Avery. Avery has led the team in tackles the last two years and returns for a fifth season. Louisville was the only ACC defense that limited opponents to under 200 yards passing per contest. On offense, though, there are big question marks on the line as well as returning QB Malik Cunningham. He threw 12 picks last year as the offense committed 24 total turnovers. It won't help the offense to open facing an SEC defense. Mississippi threw the ball a lot last year, but they lost leading receiver Elijah Moore and TE Kenny Yeboah. The running game will be a strength behind a huge offensive line blocking for All-SEC RB Jerrion Ealy (745 yards rushing). College football totals of 63-plus that feature a team like Louisville with an experienced QB returning as a starter end up 43-15 UNDER the total in non-conference tilts in the first two weeks of a new season. Play this game to stay UNDER the total.