Western Kentucky vs. Houston Baptist Prediction, Game Preview


Western Kentucky vs. Houston Baptist prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins between the Hilltoppers and Huskies.


Western Kentucky vs. Houston Baptist Game Preview

When: Saturday, Oct. 1 – 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, KY
TV Broadcast: N/A

The Hilltoppers are coming off of a very disappointing home loss to Vanderbilt, which rallied and escaped with a 31-30 win after the ‘Toppers failed to convert a two-point conversion at the end of the first overtime. The game marked the first time that an SEC team played at Western Kentucky, and the crowd of 23,674 set a new school record for the football team.

Meanwhile, the Huskies from the Southland conference dropped their opener to Central Arkansas and their last game to Sam Houston State, though they do have wins over Texas Southern and Abilene Christian in between the two setbacks. Sam Houston State beat the Huskies 52-16 last week, which was not unforeseen because that is one of the best teams in the entire FCS. The good news is that the Huskies are improving, because this was the closest loss of the head-to-head series. SHSU won the previous three meetings 74-0, 76-0 and 63-14.

What To Know About Western Kentucky

If you looked at the stats from the one-point loss to Vandy, it would appear that WKU dominated. The Hilltoppers recorded 501 yards of total offense, led by running back Anthony Wales’ 157 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns. But 11 penalties, three turnovers and just three third-down conversions hurt the ‘Toppers. This is a team, though, that can be the C-USA champion once again. It will be tough to hold onto rising head coach Jeff Brohm because he is well-respected in coaching and AD circles, and it’s a team that is as talented as any in the league.

What to Know About Houston Baptist

The Huskies earned their first-ever consecutive victories in program history this season. Fourth-year head coach Vic Shealy is just 9-23 at the school, but it’s a program that fielded its first football team in 2013 and played its first game as an FCS team in 2014. Quarterback Tony Dawson is a dual threat, while Terrance Peters is the lead running back and is coming off of a 104-yard performance against SHSU. The Huskies will be overmatched in this one, as they are playing their first-ever FBS opponent. UTEP is also on the schedule later in the year.

Advantages

Offense: Western Kentucky. Hilltoppers quarterback Mike White should be able to light up this secondary.

Defense: Western Kentucky. The ‘Toppers are allowing just 25.9 points per game.

Special Teams: Even. Two Western Kentucky kickers have combined to miss three field goals already this year.

Coaching: Western Kentucky. Brohm is a rising star who is not long for Bowling Green. Sorry, ‘Topper fans.

Intangibles: Western Kentucky. Brohm’s squad is still smarting from last week’s tough loss.

Matchup To Watch

White vs. Houston Baptist secondary

The former USF signal-caller struggled in losses to Alabama and Vanderbilt, which is understandable given the fact that those are SEC squads. But the Hilltoppers need White to be at his best the rest of the way if they have any designs on making it to the C-USA championship game.

Western Kentucky vs. Houston Baptist Betting Odds

Spread: Western Kentucky -49.5
Over/Under: 66.5

Western Kentucky vs. Houston Baptist Prediction

The Hilltoppers will be able to move up and down the field against an overmatched Houston Baptist defense. It will be ugly if you’re a fan of the Huskies.

Western Kentucky vs. Houston Baptist Score Prediction: Western Kentucky 52, Houston Baptist 17

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