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  1. Home
  2. NCAAF Picks
  3. South Florida Bulls vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Sat 3:30 PM ET
South Florida Bulls logo
South Florida
Bulls24
0-0
versus
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers logo
Western Kentucky
Hilltoppers41
0-0
Final
Team1234T
South Florida Bulls1437024
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers710141041

Head-to-Head Showdown: South Florida Bulls Set to Take on Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in Week 1

Game time: September 2, 2023 at 3:30 PM ET

Venue: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium — Bowling Green, KY

Article updated Aug 19, 2:36 AM EDT

Published by SportsJaw Editorial Team

As Week 1 of the 2023 college football season kicks off, we're taking a look at the interconference showdown between South Florida and Western Kentucky at the Houchens

Game outlook

As Week 1 of the 2023 college football season kicks off, we're taking a look at the interconference showdown between South Florida and Western Kentucky at the Houchens Industries - L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Western Kentucky is opening the game as 11.5-point home favorites, with the total set at 69.5. These two teams haven't met since 2010, when USF won 24-12 as a 28-point home favorite. Currently, the line is Western Kentucky -11.5.

Game Info

When: Saturday, 9/2/2023 @ 3:30pm EST

Where: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium Stadium Bulls vs Hilltoppers Betting Odds Moneyline: Bulls +360 | Hilltoppers -500

Spread: Bulls +11.5 (-110) | Hilltoppers -11.5 (-110)

Total: Over/Under 69.5 (-110)

Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Western Kentucky will win straight-up is 83%.

South Florida Bulls

The South Florida Bulls endured a difficult 2022 campaign with a 0-0 record. Their defense was particularly lacking, allowing 41.2 points per game (#130 in the nation) and 282.0 passing yards (#124). On the other side of the ball, the offense notched 28.0 points per game (#68) and had 197.8 rushing yards (#27). Power ranking: #125 Offense ranking: #68 Defense ranking: #130 0-0 (0-0 ATS) record The Bulls’ leading rusher, Brian Battie, left the team in the transfer portal and Alex Golesh was brought in as the new head coach. He revealed that the starting quarterback was chosen and would be announced Saturday. The competition is down to Senior signal-caller Gerry Bohanon and redshirt sophomore Byrum Brown.

NCAAF · South Florida Bulls at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

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Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Analysis

Head coach Tyson Helton is hopeful for a successful campaign in 2023. Senior QB Austin Reed will be at the helm throwing to his favorite target, Junior WR Malachi Corley, and will be aided by Junior RB Davion Ervin-Poindexter. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers had a successful season in 2022 where they went 9-5 and won the New Orleans Bowl against South Alabama. Head coach Tyson Helton looks to have another successful season this 2023. The Hilltoppers have an average offense of #15 (36.4 points per game) An average defense of #44 (23.4 points per game) 0-0 (0-0 ATS) overall Senior QB Austin Reed, Junior WR Malachi Corley and Junior RB Davion Ervin-Poindexter are key players for the season

Will Western Kentucky Outshine USF in Week 1?

Under the direction of Tyson Helton, the Hilltoppers boast a dynamic offense relying heavily on Austin Reed's arm. Western Kentucky features reliable passing capabilities, so it is uncertain if USF has the offensive weapons to contend. USF's defense showed weakness in the prior year; accordingly, until signs of improvement are seen, it is not recommended to take them in this game. Furthermore, USF has gone 4-5 against the spread in their last nine games, while WKU have gone 5-3 in their last eight and 6-3 against the spread when playing at home in the past nine games. They are also 6-0 against the spread in September matches. These records indicate the Hilltoppers are a safer bet than the Bulls for Week 1.

Prediction on the total: UNDER 69.5

Written by Mtgoldstein Published on 08/28/2023 Category: NCAAF Picks

About the Author: Retired sports writer with the Houston Chronicle, now have turned my passion into sports betting and handicapping NBA, NFL, and most major sports. Join me this season for insider picks you can't get anywhere else.

SportsJawGame Predictions
Predicted score

Unavailable for this preview

Projected winnerUnavailableConfidencelow
Pick on the Spread

Published pick: Unavailable

Pick on the Total

Published pick: Unavailable

#SouthFloridaBulls#WesternKentuckyHilltoppers

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Written by

SportsJaw Editorial Team

SportsJaw published this archived preview from its original game-day article. Its prediction and quoted lines are preserved as written.

About our editorial process

SportsJaw Bulls vs Hilltoppers archived game preview contains historical odds and availability that may no longer be current. View history of past Bulls vs Hilltoppers matchups or learn how our predictions work.

Current matchup data

Lines, trends and availability

Line movement since open

  • Moneyline · South Florida Bulls+410 → +380Moved
  • Moneyline · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers-585 → -500Moved
  • Spread · South Florida Bulls+13.5 (-110) → +13.5 (-110)Unchanged
  • Spread · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers-13.5 (-110) → -13.5 (-110)Unchanged
  • Total · Over70.5 (-110) → 71 (-110)Moved
  • Total · Under70.5 (-110) → 71 (-110)Moved

ATS and O/U trends

South Florida Bulls
0-0 matchup record · 5-5-0 ATS · 7-3-0 O/U
Last 10 completed games on file
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
0-0 matchup record · 6-4-0 ATS · 4-6-0 O/U
Last 10 completed games on file

Injuries and availability

From the published research (2023-08-19T06:36:07.294Z). Availability may have changed; review the cited sources.

No verified injury or availability note was included in the published matchup research.

Recent head-to-head

No completed head-to-head result is available in the current history window.

Final result

Matchup pick recap

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defeated South Florida Bulls 41-24

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defeated South Florida Bulls 41-24 on September 2, 2023, a 17-point decision in the series. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers' strongest period was the 4th quarter, when it outscored its opponent 10-0. Against SportsJaw's recorded South Florida Bulls +13.5 (-110) spread, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers covered, while the 65 combined points finished under the recorded total of 71.

SportsJaw editorial picks

  • Projected winnerNo published selectionUnavailable

Tipster picks

  • VfernandezSpread · South Florida Bulls +13.5 (-110)Loss
  • MoneymouthTotal · Under 70.5 (-110)Win
  • Teddy718Spread · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -13.5 (-110)Win
  • RcSpread · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -13.5 (-110)Win
  • IrishblueTotal · Over 70.5 (-110)Loss
  • 1735203231Spread · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -13.5 (-110)Win
  • PremierPicksSpread · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -13.5 (-110)Win
  • SimonsaysSpread · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -13.5 (-110)Win
  • DpxsportsTotal · Over 69.5 (-110)Loss
  • MtgoldsteinTotal · Under 69.5 (-110)Win
  • DtownsendSpread · South Florida Bulls +11.5 (-110)Loss
  • CoversSpread · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -12 (-110)Win
  • CoolioSpread · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -12 (-110)Win
  • CoolioTotal · Under 70 (-110)Win
  • OddssharkSpread · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -12 (-110)Win