WKU Football: Staff Predictions Week Ten — MTSU

The 100 Miles of Hate is upon us once again and we now look to see how the next matchup of this long-standing rivalry will end up.

The Tops are heavy favorites at home but usually rivalry games end up much closer than predicted. So how do we see things fairing for the Tops?

Matt McCay (6–2)

I see some concerns for this game, and I absolutely see a road to victory, or at least a way for MTSU to keep it close. MTSU forces tons of turnovers, they score 30 points per game, and their defense is somehow exactly 69th in the country in both points and yards (nice). Let’s just hope they blow it. The MUTS need to junk it up in order to win, but it’s possible. They were good enough to beat Marshall, and their past two games have both been blowouts against lower level FBS teams. And setting all of that aside, this is a rivalry game. Scrap everything you know and just go find a way to win, boys.

However, WKU is rolling. WKU’s offense sleepwalks to 40 points per game. MTSU has trouble getting to 40 or so points. So in order for MTSU to win, they need to have the offensive performance of the year, and they need to hold WKU under 50. That seems ridiculous, but WKU’s offense is ridiculous. I feel like Middle shows up. I have continued to predict that WKU’s defense will come back to Earth and give up 30. I would like to think the Tops continue blowing out opponents, but it is unrealistic to expect that every game. If Cunningham were healthy, I would pick a game within two scores. However, with him out, this is the third of four games WKU gets to face a backup QB. WKU should blast the Blue Raiders all the way back to Smurfreesboro.

I’ve got WKU: 48, MTSU: 17.

Alex Sherfield (4-4)

The 2021 installment of 100 Miles of Hate will definitely be an interesting one. The Blue Raiders are looking for their biggest win of the season so far with coming into Bowling Green at 4-4. This is still a team (all things considered) that has a lot to play for in November. With wins over Marshall & Southern Miss, they’re far from the pushover status that was allowed in the two previous seasons. Saturday’s game will mean a lot for C-USA East implications.

The Blue Raiders defense has some impact players worth noting. 6th-year Senior Reed Blankenship leads the team with 72 tackles while Quincey Riley has 4 interceptions. A quick start from the offense is expected in order to prepare our defense for a busy day in the trenches. I’d also look for them to take advantage of inexperienced quarter-back play as freshman Mike DiLellio will get his first complete start. He finished last Saturday’s game after leading passer Cade Cunningham was injured for the season.

With conference realignment news looming over both schools, this will still make for a fun rivalry game. I’m also banking on another multi-sack game from our defense.

Give me WKU: 38, MTSU: 17.

Jacob Gary (4–4)

Western has dominated against back up QBs so far this season when playing them. This Hilltopper team is hot, and will come out guns a blazing with Zappe as they look to keep it rolling in this rivalry team. Look for the defense to make some plays in this one as well.

I’ll take Western Kentucky: 41, Middle Tennessee: 13.

Devin Stewart (5–3)

Short and sweet once again. Give me the Tops, 45–21.

Sam Gormley (7–1)

Rivalry season is officially here as future MAC co-star MTSU makes the short trip to Bowling Green.

It has been a wild season for the Blue Raiders with wins over Marshall, Charlotte, USM, and of course the college football powers Monmouth and UConn. The one consistent point throughout all of the games has been defensive struggles. I can’t see a scenario where they are able to stop the Toppers high-flying offense.

On WKU’s side, their defense has looked much better since their abysmal start to the season. Will that trend continue Saturday? That itself will probably be the difference in the game. MTSU has not won in Bowling Green in nearly a decade and today will not be any different.

Give me the Tops 48-27.

Jared Rosdeutscher (7-1)

Tops are rolling and are on a three game winning streak since Eastern side of conference play started. Obviously with rivalry games you never know what you’ll get and I know the Blue Raiders would love to play spoiler but with all the issues they’ve had I’m not sure if they have the fire power to score as many points and they’d need to in order to win.

For the first time since week one I see the Tops finally being over .500 with a winning record and beating MTSU, 38–28.