Sam Houston St. Bearkats vs
Western Kentucky HilltoppersPredictions & Preview

Sam Houston and Western Kentucky Set for Intense Showdown in Conference USA

In this preview, we discuss the upcoming Week Zero college football matchup between Sam Houston and Western Kentucky, two strong Conference USA teams. The game is set to kick off at 7:00 EST on Saturday at Western Kentucky's campus in Bowling Green. Stay tuned for our prediction on the outcome of the game and for more updates on the college football season.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Bearkats +310 | Hilltoppers -395
• Spread: Bearkats +10 (-110) | Hilltoppers -10 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 61.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Western Kentucky will win straight-up is 80%.

Sam Houston St. Bearkats

The Sam Houston Bearkats had a successful season finishing 6-2 in Conference USA and securing a bowl game. As they look to this season, their main goal is to win the league championship and potentially make it to the College Football Playoff as the best Group of Five team. The team has a new head coach in Phil Longo, who was previously the offensive coordinator. Hunter Watson is expected to be the starting quarterback, coming off a strong finish to last season. While they have to fill some skill positions, wideout Qua'Vez Humphreys returns with impressive stats from last season. The defense has some new faces, but seniors Keelan Cox and Zeiquie Lawton are expected to lead the defensive line.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

The Conference USA is aiming to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff, with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers among the top contenders for a bid. Head coach Tyson Helton, in his 7th season, is leading the team in pursuit of a successful season following their appearance in the Boca Raton Bowl last year. Transfer Maverick McIvor, who had an impressive performance at Abilene Christian, will be taking over as quarterback and is expected to lead the Hilltoppers' offense. Running back George Hart III will play a crucial role in the backfield, while wide receiver Matthew Henry, a transfer from the FCS level, is anticipated to step up as the team's primary wideout. Despite the departure of key players, Western Kentucky is determined to make a statement this season.

Sam Houston and Western Kentucky Set for Intense Showdown in Conference USA

The upcoming match between these two teams is expected to be highly competitive, as they are both anticipated to perform well in the Conference USA this season. Sam Houston, led by experienced senior quarterback Hunter Watson, is likely to put up a strong challenge against Western Kentucky. However, Western Kentucky's lack of returning top skill players and reliance on a relatively inexperienced wideout may introduce some uncertainty into the matchup. Given these factors, it may be advisable to consider the potential value in taking Sam Houston with the points in this game to secure a favorable outcome.

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