Louisville football escaped Pittsburgh last week in one of the wildest first halves you’ll see all season. While the Cardinals found a way to survive, the “Best Bets” column didn’t fare as well, going 1-2. The first-half under and full-game under both missed, but Pitt QB Eli Holstein’s two touchdown passes salvaged a win, bringing this segment’s overall record to 4-5.
What once looked like a routine home game has become a marquee ACC matchup. Louisville welcomes No. 24 Virginia to FedCred Stadium for a 3:30 kickoff on national television (ESPN2). The Cardinals enter as 6.5-point favorites with the total set at 60.5.
With two high-powered offenses capable of topping 30 points apiece, this game has all the ingredients for fireworks. Defense — or the lack of it — may decide who walks away with the win. For bettors, that usually means opportunity. Here are the three best wagers for Saturday’s clash:
3 Best Bets for Louisville Football Fans Ahead of Virginia Week 6 Matchup
1. Parlay: Miller Moss 2+ Pass TDs, Chandler Morris 1+ Pass TD (-159, FanDuel)
Quarterback play should define this matchup, and both signal-callers are more than capable of delivering. Moss tossed three touchdowns against Pitt, while Morris has thrown at least one in every game this season, racking up seven scores across Virginia’s first three ACC contests.
With two experienced veterans leading high-scoring units, both should find the end zone through the air. Parlaying Moss for 2+ and Morris for 1+ feels like one of the safer angles in a game where passing will dictate the pace.
2. Over 60.5 Total Points (-115, FanDuel)
Sometimes betting is complicated, sometimes it isn’t. This one feels simple. The over has cashed in six straight Virginia games and in five of Louisville’s last six. Both defenses have struggled, and both offenses consistently put up points.
Yes, asking for 61 combined points is no small task, but the trends and styles point one direction: more fireworks. Expect plenty of scoring chances and a shootout atmosphere.
3. Virginia Team Total Over 26.5 (-128, FanDuel)
Louisville’s team total of 33.5 looks tempting too, but Virginia’s number comes with more value. The Cavaliers rank eighth nationally in scoring at 45.6 points per game and haven’t been held under 31 all season.
What makes this even stronger: they’ve done it against real competition, with three ACC games already in the books plus a matchup with Coastal Carolina. Against a Louisville defense that has been more “bend and break” than bend-but-don’t-break, Virginia should clear 27 without much trouble.