The North Texas Mean Green (0-5) hosts the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (5-1) in its first game since the firing of head coach Dan McCarney. Check out the Western Kentucky vs. North Texas prediction and game preview.

Western Kentucky vs. North Texas Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Thursday, October 15
Game Time: 7:30 ET
Venue: Apogee Stadium, Denton, Texas
Network: CBS Sports Network

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Why You Need To Care

Two teams on the complete opposite Conference USA spectrum meet this Thursday in Denton. Western Kentucky has solidified its place as the league favorite by coasting past Miami U., Rice and Middle Tennessee by at least 30 points. Meanwhile, winless North Texas fired fifth-year head coach Dan McCarney following the ugliest loss in program history, 66-7 at home to FCS Portland State. Offensive coordinator Mike Canales has been named interim coach.

Why Western Kentucky Will Win

Provided they’re properly motivated, the Hilltoppers are capable of laying 80 on the hapless Mean Green. Since stumbling versus Indiana in Week 3, the Western Kentucky offense has been a machine behind QB Brandon Doughty, averaging 54 points during the current three-game winning streak. North Texas has yielded at least 62 points in two of the last three games, with Portland State generating 670 yards this past Saturday.

Why North Texas Will Win

Western Kentucky will face LSU next week in a chance to reignite its Big Six bowl bid. How can the Hilltoppers not be looking right past the winless Mean Green? WKU is hardly a defensive fortress, which could create opportunities on the ground for sophomore RB Jeffrey Wilson, one of the few players in Denton capable of rising above the chaotic situation

Player Who Matters

The Hilltoppers are flush in offensive options, like WR Taywan Taylor and TE Tyler Higbee. Still, the return to health of RB Anthony Wales is actually making a difference to an attack that lost Leon Allen for the year in Week 2. Wales brings pop to the ground game, rushing for 111 yards on 19 carries in the latest blowout win.

What’s Going To Happen?

Western Kentucky will be able to name its score—and empty the bench early—Thursday night at Apogee Stadium. The disarray at North Texas will cancel out any possibility that an overmatched opponent will anesthetize the Toppers. WKU will reach 50 before the backups wrap up the scoring.

Western Kentucky vs. North Texas Prediction

Final Score: Western Kentucky 65, North Texas 14, Line: Western Kentucky -33, o/u: 69
Must See Rating: 5: Trojan War, 1: The Muppets … 1.5

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