- Read our Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston prediction and picks for Wednesday night
- The Week 8 college football odds favor the Bearkats by under a field goal at home
- See below for our WKU vs SHSU best bets, including a lean on the over 55.5 points
It’s time for some midweek MACtion! Wait, scratch that – we’re talking Conference USA football here. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (4-2, 2-0 CUSA) are set to square off against the Sam Houston Bearkats (5-1, 2-0 CUSA) on Wednesday night (October 16).
This clash of CUSA contenders kicks off at 7 p.m. ET at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, Texas, and you can catch all the action on ESPN2. Both teams are unbeaten in league play, making this a huge showdown in the race to challenge Liberty for the conference crown.
The Bearkats are laying 2.5 points at home, with the total set at a juicy 55.5. Can the Hilltoppers pull off the upset, or will Sam Houston defend their turf? Let’s dive into our prediction.
Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston Prediction
The Hilltoppers have hit their stride since a 63-0 season-opening loss to Alabama, winning four of five, including a 44-17 rout of UTEP last week. Sophomore QB Caden Veltkamp has been solid, throwing for 1,147 yards and 11 TDs, guiding a WKU offense averaging 28.3 points per game.
In just their second FBS season, Sam Houston has already surpassed last year’s win total. The Bearkats’ only loss came against UCF, and they’ve reeled off four consecutive victories since. Dual-threat QB Hunter Watson leads the charge with 859 passing yards, 370 rushing yards, and 11 total TDs, powering an offense putting up 31.8 points per contest.
10 ➡️ 7 = 6️⃣
📺 | Watch live on @CBSSportsNet#EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/hHM3QCZzfS
— Sam Houston Football (@BearkatsFB) October 4, 2024
Both defenses are allowing 23.8 points per game, with WKU ranked 4th in CUSA against the run and Sam Houston 3rd in pass efficiency defense. The Hilltoppers are 5-0 ATS in their last five, while the Bearkats are 5-1 ATS on the year.
The key matchup could be WKU’s passing attack (28th nationally, 278.8 ypg) against Sam Houston’s secondary (59th, 208.8 ypg allowed). If Veltkamp and his receivers can connect on big plays, it could swing the game in the Hilltoppers’ favor.
My Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston prediction is that WKU’s aerial assault makes the difference in a tight one. Take Western Kentucky +3, and consider the over in what should be a high-scoring affair.
Wednesday CFB Picks:
- Western Kentucky +2.5 (-110)
- Over 55.5 Points (-110)
Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Kentucky | +2.5 (-110) | +120 | Over 55.5 (-110) |
| Sam Houston State | -2.5 (-110) | -140 | Under 55.5 (-110) |
The oddsmakers have installed Sam Houston as a 2.5-point home favorite, implying a 58.3% win probability for the Bearkats. The Hilltoppers are +120 on the moneyline (41.7% implied odds), compared to Sam Houston at -140 (62.3% implied odds).
The line reflects the Bearkats’ strong start and home-field advantage, but the Hilltoppers’ recent play shows they can compete. WKU’s 5-0 ATS run indicates they’ve exceeded expectations, while Sam Houston’s 5-1 ATS mark shows they’ve handled business as favorites
The over/under opened at 54.5 and has since ticked up to 55.5, suggesting some early action on the over. Given these teams’ offensive outputs – Sam Houston at 31.8 ppg, WKU at 28.3 ppg, it’s no surprise to see the total on the rise.
Trends also point towards a high-scoring affair, as the over is 5-0 in Bearkats’ last five home games 5-0 in Hilltoppers’ last five road games.
Odds as of October 16, 2024, at ESPN Sportsbook. Unlock the ESPN Bet promo code to bet on Tuesday night CFB action.
Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston H2H History
The all-time series between these programs is tied 1-1, with WKU earning a 28-23 victory last season. Here’s a look at their recent meetings:
| Result |
|---|
| Western Kentucky 28, Sam Houston 23 |
| Sam Houston 17, Western Kentucky 14 |
The Hilltoppers’ win last year came despite turning the ball over five times, demonstrating their ability to overcome mistakes. Familiarity could play a role as these teams meet for the third straight season.
-
ESPN BET SPORTSBOOKUSE CODE “DIME” & GET A $1,000 BET RESET!
-
FANATICS SPORTSBOOKBET & GET UP TO $1,000 NO SWEAT BETS!
-
BET365 SPORTSBOOKBET $5 & GET $200 IN BONUS BETS!
-
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOKBET $5 & GET $200 IN BONUS BETS INSTANTLY!
-
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOKBET $5 & GET $300 IF YOUR BET WINS + 3 MONTHS OF NBA LEAGUE PASS
-
BETMGM SPORTSBOOKGET UP TO $1,500 BACK IN BONUS BETS + 2ND CHANCE TD CASH BACK!
-
CAESARS SPORTSBOOKGET UP TO $1,000 BACK – ON CAESARS!
-
Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, IL, KS, KY, MD, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY); (800) 327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA); (877) 8-HOPENY (NY); 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ); (888) 789-7777 (CT); 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA); 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN); mdgamblinghelp.org (MD); morethanagame.nc.gov (NC); 1800gambler.net (WV)
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will face off against the Sam Houston Bearkats in an exciting college football matchup on Wednesday, October 16th. Both teams are coming off strong performances in their previous games and will be looking to continue their winning streaks.
Western Kentucky is currently 4-2 on the season and is coming off a dominant 45-19 victory over UTEP. The Hilltoppers have been led by their strong defense, which ranks 15th in the nation in points allowed per game. Quarterback Ty Storey has been impressive, throwing for over 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns so far this season.
On the other side, Sam Houston is 3-3 on the season and is coming off a thrilling 38-35 victory over Incarnate Word. The Bearkats have a high-powered offense that ranks 12th in the nation in points scored per game. Quarterback Ty Brock has been a standout player, throwing for over 1,800 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.
In terms of predictions and picks for this game, it looks to be a close matchup between two evenly matched teams. The odds currently favor Western Kentucky by a slim margin, but Sam Houston has the firepower to pull off an upset. It will likely come down to which team can make key plays in crucial moments.
Overall, this game is shaping up to be an exciting showdown between two talented teams. Fans can expect a high-scoring affair with plenty of action on both sides of the ball. Be sure to tune in on Wednesday, October 16th to see who comes out on top in this thrilling college football matchup.