Sam Houston vs Western Kentucky Prediction 10/16/24 College Football Picks

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and Sam Houston Bearkats meet on Wednesday night in Week 8 college football action at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium. We will look at this from a betting perspective and identify the best bets for this game. Here is a prediction for Sam Houston vs. Western Kentucky.

Western Kentucky Summary

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers come into this game looking to build on their 44-17 win over UTEP in their last game. After this game, Western Kentucky travels home to face Kennesaw State.

Hilltoppers look to stake claim to C-USA title spot

Caden Veltkamp has thrown for 1,147 yards, 11 touchdowns and 5 INTs on a pass rate of 69.6%. Elijah Young leads WKU on the ground with 278 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, while Kisean Johnson has 34 receptions for 474 yards and 4 touchdowns. Easton Messer has 342 receiving yards, while River Helms, Dalvin Smith and the aforementioned Young also have over 150 receiving yards each on the year. On defense, Devonte’ Mathews has a team-best 27 total tackles and 2 interceptions, while Hosea Wheeler and Anthony Johnson Jr. each have 27 tackles and WKU’s defense as a whole has 12 sacks and 5 INTs this season.

Why the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will win

• Western Kentucky has won seven of its last eight games against teams not ranked in the AP rankings.
• Western Kentucky has evened the spread in each of its last seven games against teams not ranked in the AP.
• Sam Houston State has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four October games against teams not ranked in the AP.

Summary by Sam Houston

The Sam Houston Bearkats look to extend their four-game winning streak into this game and are 5-1 thanks to a 41-21 win over UTEP in their last outing. After this game, Sam Houston will hit the road to face FIU.

Bearkats are showing signs of improvement at the FBS level in year two

Hunter Watson threw for 859 yards, 7 touchdowns and 5 interceptions on a 59.1% passing percentage while also throwing for a team-high 370 yards and 4 touchdowns. Jay Ducker has 348 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns and DJ McKinney also has 348 rushing yards this year. Qua’Vez Humphreys also has a team-high 281 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Ife Adeyi has a team-high 17 grabs for 177 yards and Simeon Evans also has 174 receiving yards on the year. On defense, Caleb Weaver has a team-high 38 total tackles, including 29 solo tackles and 3 interceptions, and a team-high 3.5 sacks. As a unit, Sam Houston’s defense has also posted 10 sacks and 7 interceptions this year.

Why the Sam Houston State Bearkats will win

• Western Kentucky has lost each of its last seven games in October as an underdog.
• Sam Houston State has won each of its last four games.
• Sam Houston State has covered the spread in eight of its last nine games.
• Western Kentucky has failed to make up the difference in three of its last four games in October as underdogs against teams not ranked in the AP.

Sam Houston vs Western Kentucky Prediction

I’m over here. I’m still a little wary of WKU’s defense, and I don’t know if they can slow down Sam Houston here, who has been consistent and balanced offensively throughout. On the other hand, Western Kentucky has been able to score against just about anyone this season, and I think this game ends up being pretty high-scoring. Give me this.