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  1. Home
  2. NCAAF Picks
  3. Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Thu 7:30 PM ET
Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders logo
Middle Tenn. St.
Blue Raiders10
0-3
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Western Kentucky Hilltoppers logo
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Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders037010
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers10130831

Blue Raiders vs. Hilltoppers: Western Kentucky Set to Take Advantage of Home Field in Conference Opener

Game time: September 28, 2023 at 7:30 PM ET

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

Article updated Sep 24, 6:35 PM EDT

Published by SportsJaw Editorial Team

On Thursday night, a pair of teams from the Bluegrass State will face off in a Conference opener. Western Kentucky holds the all-time series advantage with 36-35-1, and have

Game outlook

On Thursday night, a pair of teams from the Bluegrass State will face off in a Conference opener. Western Kentucky holds the all-time series advantage with 36-35-1, and have won the last four matchups including a 35-17 road victory in the most recent meeting in October 2022. Middle Tennessee comes off a loss to Colorado State as 4-point favorites, while Western Kentucky covered as 3.5-point underdogs in their previous game against Troy. Western Kentucky opens as the betting favorite at -8 with the current line at -5.5.

Game Info

When: Thursday, 9/28/2023 @ 7:30pm EST

Where: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium Stadium Blue Raiders vs Hilltoppers Betting Odds Moneyline: Blue Raiders +185 | Hilltoppers -225

Spread: Blue Raiders +5.5 (-110) | Hilltoppers -5.5 (-110)

Total: Over/Under 60 (-110)

Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Western Kentucky will win straight-up is 69%.

Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders

Middle Tennessee's previous game was a home loss to Colorado State, where they led by 7 at the half, but gave up 21 unanswered points to trail 31-17. The Blue Raiders power ranking is 79 and they are ranked #110 in offense (averaging 20.33 points per game) and #109 in defense (allowing an average of 31.00 per game). Their record stands at 1-3 (1-3 ATS). Nicholas Vattiato has been the team's top passer with 101/143 passing for 916 yards, 7 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Jaiden Credle leads the team on the ground with 30 carries for 188 yards and a score. Elijah Metcalf has been the top receiver with 22 receptions for 192 yards and a score.

NCAAF · Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

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Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Analysis

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Power Ranking: #35 Offense: #46 (34.33 points per game) Defense: #120 (36.33 points per game) Overall Record: 2-2 (2-2 ATS) Recent Facing of Middle Tenn. St.: 3-0 (2-1 ATS)

Western Kentucky Looks to Capitalize on Home Field Advantage as Middle Tennessee Struggles on the Road

Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee have faced tough opponents in the opening of conference play. Western Kentucky lost to a top-five Ohio State team and a strong Troy team. Meanwhile, Middle Tennessee had a lopsided loss to Alabama, as well as a four point defeat to Missouri and surprise home loss to Colorado State. The Blue Raiders have had difficulty defending against passing games, as demonstrated by their 93rd ranking in pass yards allowed per game (242.3), 108th in yards per attempt (8.1), 128th in completion percentage allowed (71.4%), and 123rd in passer rating allowed (163.1) this season. As Middle Tennessee’s struggles on the road may continue, Western Kentucky looks poised for a home victory.

Written by Gsimms Published on 09/25/2023 Category: NCAAF Picks

About the Author: I use a private handicapping system that I've created and adjusted over the last 20 years. My betting philosophy is discipline and bankroll management.

SportsJawGame Predictions
Predicted score

Unavailable for this preview

Projected winnerUnavailableConfidencelow
Pick on the Spread

Published pick: Unavailable

Pick on the Total

Published pick: Unavailable

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

Current matchup data

Lines, trends and availability

Line movement since open

  • Moneyline · Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders+240 → +220Moved
  • Moneyline · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers-305 → -260Moved
  • Spread · Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders+8 (-110) → +6.5 (-110)Moved
  • Spread · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers-8 (-110) → -6.5 (-110)Moved
  • Total · Over60 (-110) → 61 (-110)Moved
  • Total · Under60 (-110) → 61 (-110)Moved

ATS and O/U trends

Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders
0-3 matchup record · 4-5-1 ATS · 6-4-0 O/U
Last 10 completed games on file
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
1-2 matchup record · 6-4-0 ATS · 4-6-0 O/U
Last 10 completed games on file

Injuries and availability

From the published research (2023-09-24T22:35:56.307Z). 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

  • 2022-10-15Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 35 · Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders 17
  • 2021-11-06Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders 21 · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 48
Final result

Matchup pick recap

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defeated Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders 31-10

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defeated Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders 31-10 on September 28, 2023, a 21-point decision in the series. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers' strongest period was the 1st quarter, when it outscored its opponent 10-0. Against SportsJaw's recorded Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders +6.5 (-110) spread, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers covered, while the 41 combined points finished under the recorded total of 61.

SportsJaw editorial picks

  • Projected winnerNo published selectionUnavailable

Tipster picks

  • OddssharkTotal · Over 60 (-110)Loss
  • MiamimikeSpread · Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders +8 (-110)Loss
  • Novacek84Spread · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -8 (-110)Win
  • DawhizSpread · Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders +8 (-110)Loss
  • Hustle$Spread · Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders +7.5 (-110)Loss
  • 1502640579Spread · Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders +6.5 (-110)Loss
  • JohnTharpTotal · Under 60 (-110)Win
  • CoolioSpread · Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders +7 (-110)Loss
  • CoolioTotal · Under 60.5 (-110)Win
  • OddssharkSpread · Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders +7 (-110)Loss
  • CoversSpread · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -7 (-110)Win