On Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (1-1) will take on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (1-1).
The Hilltoppers are solid favorites (-7) in their matchup against the Blue Raiders, with the over/under at 54.5 points. (In terms of the moneyline, the Hilltoppers are -267 and the Blue Raiders are +216.)
Below you can find our betting preview for this season, and find all of our expert picks here, too!
Western Kentucky -7 vs. Middle Tennessee
Western Kentucky vs. Middle Tennessee Betting Odds
- Spread favorite: Hilltoppers (-7)
- Moneyline: Hilltoppers (-267), Blue Raiders (+216)
- Total: 54.5 points
Western Kentucky vs. Middle Tennessee Betting Stats and Info
The Hilltoppers’ record against the spread is just 1-1-0. The Hilltoppers have won all one game against the spread when favored by 7 points or more. Western Kentucky won the one game it played when favored on the moneyline this season. Middle Tennessee, through one game with a set spread so far this season, has gone 0-1-0 against the spread. Against the spread, the Blue Raiders are winless in one game when underdogs by 7 points or more. Middle Tennessee has been listed as an underdog on the moneyline once this season, and failed to pick up the victory.
Western Kentucky vs. Middle Tennessee Key Players
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- Austin Reed recorded 3,340 passing yards (256.9 per game) with a 61.5% completion percentage last season, while throwing for 31 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.
- Elijah Young ran for 474 yards on 104 attempts (36.5 yards per game) and scored three touchdowns a season ago. He also averaged 19 receiving yards per game, grabbing 20 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns.
- Markese Stepp totaled 310 rushing yards on 69 carries, with three touchdowns on the ground, last year.
- Last year Malachi Corley grabbed 79 passes for 989 yards (76.1 per game) and scored 11 touchdowns.
- Dalvin Smith’s stat line last year showed 50 grabs for 513 yards and six touchdowns. He put up 39.5 yards per game.
- Easton Messer caught 42 passes on 57 targets for 484 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 37.2 yards per game.
- Kendrick Simpkins showed out with an impressive stat line of eight sacks, seven TFL and 54 tackles last season.
- Anthony Johnson Jr. picked off four passes and tacked on 44 tackles, one TFL, and four passes defended last season.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- Last season Nicholas Vattiato recorded 3,087 passing yards (257.3 per game) while going 286-for-428 (66.8%) and throwing for 23 touchdowns with 13 interceptions. He also had 402 rushing yards on 139 carries plus two rushing TDs.
- Jaiden Credle churned out 427 rushing yards (35.6 per game) and scored two touchdowns.
- Last season Holden Willis was targeted 65 times and had 46 catches for 697 yards and five touchdowns.
- Elijah Metcalf also chipped in with 634 yards on 54 grabs and six touchdowns. He was targeted 78 times, and averaged 52.8 receiving yards last year.
- Justin Olson caught 43 passes on 59 targets for 450 yards and one touchdown, averaging 37.5 receiving yards per game.
- Last season Sam Brumfield totaled 3.5 sacks, four TFL and 79 tackles.
- Tra Fluellen picked off three passes and tacked on 65 tackles, two TFL, and three passes defended last season.