Louisville vs Central Florida Odds: Teams Will Try to Top Action-Packed 2021 Meeting

Louisville Tries to Bounce Back From Humbling Season Opening Loss

Louisville vs Central Florida Odds Preview: The Louisville Cardinals didn’t exactly distinguish themselves in the season opener, falling by 24 points to Syracuse as a 5.5-point favorite. It is the second year in a row that Louisville stumbled out of the gate as the Cardinals lost 43-24 to nationally ranked Ole Miss in the 2021 opener.

The Cardinals did score at least 30 points in eight of the final 11 games of the 2021 season and will look to rebound just as they did a season ago. Louisville came into the season predicted to finish eighth in the Louisville football standings in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The loss to Syracuse didn’t help those odds.

It is hard to know what to expect from Central Florida after rolling past an overmatched South Carolina State in the 2022 opener. Louisville was just 2-3 on the road a season ago while UCF has won its last eight games at home. UCF comes in at +30000 and Louisville is at +40000 in the current odds to win the national championship. Let’s continue our Louisville vs Central Florida odds preview.

Louisville vs Central Florida Game Information

• Game: Louisville Cardinals 0-1, Central Florida Knights 1-0
• Location: Bounce House, Orlando
• Day/Time: Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Television: ESPN2

Louisville Cardinals

One of the biggest surprises in Week 1 of the college football season was seeing Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham struggle against Syracuse for the second season in a row. Cunningham completed 16 of 22 passes but had just 152 passing yards and 34 rushing yards. He failed to get into the end zone and threw two interceptions. When looking at the Week 1 NCAA football scores, the 31-7 loss by Louisville was one of the head-scratching results.

Cunningham is being projected as a possible first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and he will be looking to showcase the game-breaking ability that has him considered to be one of the most dynamic players in the ACC.

Former Tennessee running back Tiyon Evans led the Cardinals with 89 rushing yards against Syracuse while Tyler Hudson, a transfer from Central Arkansas, led the way with 102 yards on eight catches in his Louisville debut.
Louisville did record seven tackles for loss, but also gave up seven TFLs. Ashton Gillotte led the defense with 1.5 sacks.

Central Florida Knights

Central Florida has fallen behind Cincinnati and Houston in the American Athletic Conference pecking order and this is a game where the Knights can prove that they are ready to be a championship contender.

Former Ole Miss quarterback John Rhys Plumlee wasn’t able to play many quarterbacks in the last couple of seasons, however, he proved that there is still some magic in his arm. He passed for 308 yards with four touchdown passes and no interceptions to go with 86 rushing yards and another score. Isaiah Bowser added 83 yards and a pair of TD runs and he was one of six players with at least two catches in the 2022 opener.

Kervins Choute led the defense with two of UCF’s eight tackles for loss. Giving up six tackles to South Carolina State out of the FCS was a little troubling, and it will be interesting to see how the UCF offensive line holds up against Louisville.

Louisville vs Central Florida Injury Update

Both teams seem to be in pretty good shape when it comes to the injury front.

For Louisville, QB Evan Conley is questionable.

UCF WR Amari Johnson (leg) miss the season opener and is questionable for Friday’s game.

Louisville vs Central Florida Head to Head

Louisville won the most recent meeting 42-35 on Sept. 17, 2021, as a seven-point underdog at home. It was the first meeting between the teams since a 38-35 win by UCF on Oct. 18, 2013. Both of those games went over the total. In last year’s matchup, Cunningham ran for 99 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw for 265 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Louisville outgained UCF 501-416 in that contest.

Louisville has won six of the last eight games against American Athletic Conference teams. The Cardinals are just 3-5 against the spread in those contests.

UCF has split its last six matchups against ACC programs with four of the last five games finishing over the total.

Louisville vs Central Florida Betting Preview

The skinny on Louisville vs Central Florida odds preview: The dual-threat quarterbacks will be the centers of attention as Louisville makes the trip to meet UCF. Louisville has made recruiting in Florida a priority in recent years, so it is not a surprise that 15 players on the Cardinals’ roster hail from the Sunshine State.

UCF is currently listed as a 7-point favorite. The Cardinals have covered in just two of their last seven games.
One thing to consider is that four of Louisville’s last six games went under the total. The total is currently at 61 for this matchup. Stay tuned right here for more on this matchup and all of the NCAAF scores.

UCF has played its share of Friday games and is 2-5 against the spread in the last seven contests on Fridays. Louisville has a 4-8 mark against the college football betting lines in the last 12 games the Cardinals have played on Friday.

Louisville has won 15 of the last 20 games against teams from the American Athletic Conference. A concern for the Cardinals is a 2-9 record in the last 11 road games.