Western Kentucky travels to Huntsville on Wednesday night to face Sam Houston in a Week 7 Conference USA matchup. The Hilltoppers enter at 2-4 overall and 1-1 in conference play, while the Bearkats are 1-4 and 0-1 in CUSA. Kickoff from Elliott T. Bowers Stadium is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Western Kentucky opened the season with three consecutive road losses to Nevada, Georgia and Indiana before returning home to defeat Mercyhurst 52-7. The Hilltoppers then dropped their conference opener at New Mexico State, 34-13, but bounced back with a 34-13 victory over Missouri State last Thursday.
Quarterback Brock Glenn threw for 211 yards and rushed for another 95 in the win over Missouri State, while running back Ajay Allen added 105 yards on the ground. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak and gave Western Kentucky its first CUSA win.
Sam Houston began its season with close losses to Troy (24-21) and Tulsa (23-17) before earning its first victory against Nicholls in Week 3. The Bearkats have since dropped two straight, falling 49-14 at Texas Tech before suffering a 35-3 defeat at Liberty in their conference opener last Thursday.
Quarterback Landyn Locke has thrown for 1,306 yards and 11 touchdowns through five games, although the Bearkats have managed just 17 combined points over their last two contests.
Wednesday marks the fifth all-time meeting between the programs. Western Kentucky has won each of the last three, including a 41-24 victory in Bowling Green last season.
Western Kentucky vs. Sam Houston Odds
Western Kentucky enters Wednesday’s matchup as a 1.5-point road favorite at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook:
- Point Spread: Western Kentucky -1.5 (-115) | Sam Houston +1.5 (-105)
- Moneyline: Western Kentucky -125 | Sam Houston +100
- Total: Over 52.5 (-110) | Under 52.5 (-105)
Referenced odds subject to change.
Western Kentucky vs. Sam Houston Prediction
Sam Houston +1.5 (-105): Sam Houston’s 1-4 record doesn’t tell the full story of its season, considering the level of competition the Bearkats have faced through their first five games.
Road trips to Troy, Texas Tech and Liberty have given Sam Houston few opportunities to get going, but the Bearkats have been much more competitive in Huntsville. Their lone victory came in a dominant 59-0 shutout of Nicholls, while they also took a 14-10 halftime lead against Tulsa before ultimately falling 23-17.
Western Kentucky has faced a difficult schedule of its own, but the Hilltoppers’ two victories have come against Mercyhurst and a Missouri State team whose only win this season was against Lindenwood.
The Hilltoppers have also lost all four of their road games by at least 21 points. That includes difficult matchups against a pair of powerhouses in Georgia and Indiana, but Western Kentucky hasn’t shown much away from Bowling Green against opponents closer to its own level of competition, either.
There’s also an opportunity for Sam Houston to find success offensively against a Western Kentucky defense allowing 204 rushing yards per game and more than 35 points per contest.
The Bearkats haven’t been especially productive on the ground themselves, but a favorable matchup against the Hilltoppers’ struggling run defense could help them establish some balance and take pressure off Locke.
Western Kentucky may have the better record, but neither team has done enough against comparable competition. With Sam Houston returning home after consecutive road losses, we’re backing the Bearkats to cover the short spread.
- Best Bet: Sam Houston +1.5 (-105)
Betting Splits at Hard Rock Bet
- Moneyline: Western Kentucky has received 67% of all moneyline tickets and 65% of the handle, compared to 33% of tickets and 35% of the handle on Sam Houston.
- Spread: Western Kentucky -1.5 has attracted 60% of all spread tickets, but Sam Houston +1.5 accounts for 63% of the handle despite receiving just 40% of wagers.
- Total: Over 52.5 has drawn 75% of all tickets and 88% of the handle, leaving the Under with 25% of tickets and 12% of the money wagered.
Western Kentucky vs. Sam Houston Game Info
- šļø Location: Elliott T. Bowers Stadium – Huntsville, Texas
- š Date: Wednesday, October 14
- ā° Start Time: 8 p.m. ET
- šŗ Where to Watch: ESPN
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