Is Sam Houston really that great? The team that couldn’t find a way to win last season now can’t find a way to lose, cranking out four straight wins. But now comes the test after dealing with New Mexico State and UTEP in conference play.
Western Kentucky also rolled past UTEP as part of a strong 4-1 run after starting the season with a blowout loss to Alabama. Get by this, and it’s smooth sailing - and almost certainly a 6-0 start before a showdown at Liberty.
Sep 7, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Sam Houston State Bearkats quarterback Hunter Watson (10) passes the ball during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium.
© Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston Preview
Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston How to Watch
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
Venue: Elliott T. Bowers Stadium, Huntsville, TX
How to Watch: ESPN2
Sam Houston (5-1), Western Kentucky (4-2)
- Week 8 Schedule, Predictions
- WKU at Sam Houston Expert Picks
Why Western Kentucky Will Win
The Hilltopper passing game continues to produce.
The team is at its best when it can run well, but the passing game keeps everything moving with an efficient attack that spreads the ball around. When it works, the teams wins.
The defense has its issues but it can take the ball away. It’s really more about whether or not the O can do its job, with the Hilltoppers going 4-0 when throwing for over 240 yards, and 0-2 when it doesn’t.
Sam Houston hasn’t played a ton of teams that throw well, but it got hit by Texas State for 326 yards and Hawaii for 252, but …
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Why Sam Houston Will Win
So how is this happening? What has gone so right for the Bearkats? The running game has been a killer.
There’s a great offensive balance, but QB Hunter Watson and the deep group of backs have blown up with the team hitting the 250-yard mark on the ground in each of the last four games.
The rushing attack is 11th in the nation, the team dominates the time of possession battle, and WKU’s defense might not hold up. It’s not great against the run, there’s little controlling of the clock, and …
Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston: Who Will Win
This should be fun.
Sam Houston has a nice win over Texas State, but that was in a late thriller - there isn’t much else on the resumé so far. WKU pushed Boston College and stunned Toledo, but this would take the season up a few notches.
Both teams will bomb away, but the Hilltopper offense will be a bit too sharp in a fun, tense fight that goes a full 60 minutes. Expect the WKU ground game to do its part to take the pressure off the passing attack.
Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston Prediction, Betting Lines
Western Kentucky 28, Sam Houston 27
Line: Sam Houston -1.5, o/u: 54.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston Must See Rating: 3.5
CFN Week 8 Expert Picks
WKU at Sam Houston | FIU at UTEP
Georgia St at Marshall | BC at Va Tech
Florida St at Duke | Oregon at Purdue
Oklahoma St at BYU | Fresno St at Nevada
South Carolina at OU | Miami at Louisville
Nebraska at Indiana | Alabama at Tennessee
Notre Dame vs Ga Tech | Michigan at Illinois
Colorado at Arizona | LSU at Arkansas
Georgia at Texas | Iowa at Michigan State
UNLV at Oregon State | TCU at Utah
