Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Prediction and Odds: Can the High-Powered Hilltoppers’ Passing Attack Stay Strong on the Road Against the 3-3 Bulldogs?

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3-2) will visit the Lousiana Tech Bulldogs (3-3) on Thursday night. Western Kentucky beat down the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 31-10 last Thursday. The Hilltoppers’ defense allowed just ten points despite allowing 373 yards of offense. Meanwhile, Louisiana Tech took down the UTEP Miners 24-10. Special teams came up big for the Bulldogs, with wideout Smoke Harris taking a punt 67 yards to the endzone.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Odds and Match Details

Key Stats

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Western Kentucky houses one of the best passing offenses in the C-USA. Quarterback Austin Reed has been excellent, passing for 1,368 yards and 11 touchdowns against two interceptions across his team’s first five games. He has also added three scores on the ground. However, the Hilltoppers are in the bottom third of the conference in rushing yards per game, rushing attempts per game, and rushing yards per attempt. They are also middle-of-the-pack in turnovers committed per game.

The Western Kentucky defense has been brutal in 2023. They trail just Middle Tennessee State for most points allowed per game (29) while opposing quarterbacks throw for 268 passing yards per game on a 61% completion percentage. The rushing defense is just as poor, allowing 5.0 yards per attempt on 41 attempts per game. They easily allow the most yards within the conference but force nearly three turnovers per game.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

Despite averaging just 224 passing yards per game, the Lousiana Tech Bulldogs complete nearly 66% of their passes. However, starting quarterback Hank Backmeier is questionable for Thursday’s tilt after missing last week with a shoulder injury. Jack Turner, who is 48-for-80 with three touchdowns against two picks, would start if Backmeier is out. The Bulldogs are in the middle of the conference in most team rushing stats.

ouisiana Tech allows 26 points per game but possesses an elite secondary. Opposing passers complete a C-USA-low 49% of their passes for just 152 yards per game. However, the front seven has gotten gashed by opposing backfields. The Bulldogs allow a conference-worst 226 rushing yards per game on a ghastly 5.2 yards per attempt. They also force just one turnover per game.

Game Prediction

I’m banking on Louisiana Tech’s Hank Bachmeier to take the field in this midweek contest. He has missed the last two weeks with a shoulder injury, but per multiple sources, he will practice this week in preparation for play. Although head coach Sonny Cumbie won’t declare him the starter, practicing ahead of their game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers is a good sign for Bachmeier’s availability. If Bachmeier is a go and the Louisiana Tech passing defense stays stout, I like the Bulldogs to cover the spread on Thursday.