The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will be returning home after a two-game road trip. WKU and the UAB Blazers will face off in a Conference USA battle at 8 p.m. ET on Friday at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Both teams seek to continue their momentum from their previous wins.
The Hilltoppers strolled past the Middle Tenn. Blue Raiders with points to spare this past Saturday, taking the matchup 35-17. WKU's QB Austin Reed did his thing and passed for two TDs and 278 yards on 49 attempts in addition to rushing for one TD and 41 yards.
Meanwhile, UAB had a touchdown and change to spare in a 34-20 win over the Charlotte 49ers this past Saturday. UAB QB Dylan Hopkins was slinging it as he passed for one TD and 231 yards on 23 attempts in addition to rushing for one TD and 103 yards. That nimble footwork stands out as the first time Hopkins has hit the 100-yard rushing mark this season.
This next contest is expected to be close, with WKU going off at just a 2.5-point favorite. They have been consistent moneymakers against the spread when favored (3-1), so they might be worth a quick bet.
WKU is now 4-3 while the Blazers sit at 4-2. A couple numbers to keep in mind before kickoff: The Hilltoppers enter the game with 22 passing touchdowns, good for fourth best in the nation. But UAB comes into the game boasting the third fewest passing touchdowns allowed in the nation at four. We'll see which of these strengths -- offense or defense -- will win out.