The Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers (6-4, 4-2 CUSA) host the Rice University Owls (5-4, 3-2 CUSA) at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium on Saturday for a matchup that pits the Conference USA’s top passing offense against one of its best aerial defenses. The Hilltoppers are 13-point favorites, and the total is 61.Rice is coming off a 37-30 win over UTEP at Rice Stadium last Thursday.
TJ McMahon was 21 of 31 for 334 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Juma Otoviano ran six times for 65 yards. Bradley Rozner caught six passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. Western Kentucky beat Charlotte 59-7 at Jerry Richardson Stadium last Saturday. Austin Reed threw for 461 yards and six touchdowns. Davion Ervin-Poindexter carried three times for 49 yards. Malachi Corley scored once. He hauled in six receptions for 162 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Hilltoppers won the only game between the teams last season, a 42-21 victory in November. Bailey Zappe threw five touchdowns for Western Kentucky, as Kye Robichaux added two TDs (1 rush, 1 rec) and Mitchell Tinsley scored twice.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Owls are averaging 30.0 points per game for the season, 59th in FBS, and they are facing a Hilltoppers defense that has surrendered 22.3 PPG (39th). Meanwhile, Western Kentucky has scored 37.2 points a game this season, 17th in the nation, and Rice is allowing 33.2 PPG (117th).
The Owls rank 67th in the nation in passing yards per game (234.4) and 64th in rushing (151.0), while the Hilltoppers are 75th in passing yards allowed per game (236.1) and 67th against the run (142.8).
Western Kentucky has been one of the country’s top passing teams, averaging 332.0 passing yards per game (3rd), while ranking 63rd in rushing yards (151.2). The Owls are allowing 201.2 passing yards (31st) and 162.6 rushing yards per game (91st).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through nine games, TJ McMahon has thrown for 18 touchdowns (12 INT) and 226.3 yards per game to lead Rice in passing. In four away games this season, he has five TDs (7 INT) and an average of 201.0 yards passing. Cameron Montgomery leads the team in rushing with an average of 43.4 yards a game over nine games.
He has yet to find the end zone on the ground but has one touchdown through the air. Bradley Rozner is the Owls’ leading receiver with 80.1 yards a game and eight TDs. Austin Reed has 28 passing touchdowns (6 INT) with 317.1 yards per game through 10 games to lead Western Kentucky. In five home games this season, he has thrown for 13 TDs (3 INT) and an average of 302.2 yards.
Kye Robichaux has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 65.4 yards a game through seven games. He has three touchdowns. Malachi Corley has been the primary target in the Hilltoppers’ aerial attack. He has seven touchdowns and an 86.3 yard per game average through 10 appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
W.Kentucky -13 (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
