Louisville vs. Washington Prediction & Picks Today: Sun Bowl Odds

Louisville's roster has been annihilated by opt-outs ahead of its Sun Bowl showdown with Washington, and it's resulted in the Cardinals moving from significant favorites to underdogs for Tuesday's game at 2 p.m. ET (CBS).

If Louisville hopes to take down the defending national runner-up, it'll be forced to do so with less-proven players at key positions. Quarterback Tyler Shough and wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks have both opted out, resulting in this spread flipping to favor the Huskies.

Our Louisville vs. Washington prediction, part of our college bowl game predictions this week, questions whether the Cardinals can overcome those losses.

Our college football bowl game opt-out tracker has you covered with the latest opt-out news and the impact on the college bowl game odds. 

Louisville vs. Washington prediction & best pick: Sun Bowl

College football picks based on the odds from our best college football betting sites. Odds subject to change.

• Against the spread pick: Washington +1.5 () vs. Louisville ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• My best pick: Demond Williams Jr. Over 195.5 passing yards () ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Louisville vs. Washington ATS prediction

Washington to cover the spread: +1.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: +115 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 46.51%

The line has moved significantly from its opening mark of Louisville -5, and there's ample reason why as this game approaches.

Opt-outs dilute Cardinals’ biggest strength

The Cardinals have relied upon an elite passing game throughout the season, but Louisville doesn’t match up well on paper against Washington’s defense without their quarterback or top receiver.

Washington’s pass defense ranks seventh in the nation, as the Huskies allow only 173.0 yards per game through the air. The Huskies are mediocre against the run, but running the ball isn’t as much of a point of emphasis for Louisville.

Conversely, Louisville surrenders 238.5 passing yards per game (94th in FBS), an advantage for a Washington offense that attacks through the air far more effectively than it does on the ground.

A winning $10 bet will profit $11.50. 

Louisville vs. Washington best pick

Our NEW college football player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

Demond Williams Jr. Over 195.5 passing yards ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -117 via Caesars | Implied probability: 53.92%

After Will Rogers' benching, Demond Williams Jr. will lead the Huskies as the quarterback for this bowl game. Though he rarely served as the primary quarterback this season, the freshman should have a chance to exploit an attainable passing yardage line against a secondary that has surrendered numerous big games to opposing passers.

Soft passing line against a susceptible secondary

With the stout defenses of Oregon and Iowa serving as the only opponents against which Williams drew much playing time throughout the season, Louisville’s 94th-ranked pass defense should present a much softer matchup.

Williams cleared this passing line once in two games with more than 15 passing attempts, throwing for 201 yards against Oregon. Louisville allowed five opposing passers to clear 275 yards, so a ceiling game is within the range of outcomes.

As it stands, a mere 200 passing yards would cash this prop at Caesars.

Louisville vs. Washington odds

See all of this week's college football odds and NCAAF scores.

Louisville vs. Washington live odds

Louisville vs. Washington opening odds:

• Louisville: -5 (-110)
• Washington: +5 (-110)

Louisville vs. Washington odds movement

In a wild turn of events, the spread for this game flipped completely from Louisville -5 to Washington -1.5 at our sites with the best sportsbook promos.

That's right in line with our prediction, as we backed Washington to cover as a 1.5-point underdog due to Louisville's massive opt-out losses.

Louisville vs. Washington injuries

Sun Bowl game info

• When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
• Kickoff: 2 p.m. ET
• Where: Sun Bowl (El Paso, Texas)
• How to watch: CBS
• Weather: 62 degrees, 0% chance of precipitation, wind 9 mph SW
• Favorite: Louisville -1 (-110 via DraftKings)

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