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The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are 5-1 against the Middle Tenn. Blue Raiders since October of 2015, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Saturday. WKU and Middle Tenn. will face off in a Conference USA battle at 3:30 p.m. ET at Houchens-Smith Stadium. After these two teams made easy work of their previous opponents, one of them is set up to suffer a discouraging change of fortune.
The Charlotte 49ers typically have all the answers at home, but last week the Hilltoppers proved too difficult a challenge. WKU took their matchup against Charlotte by a conclusive 45-13 score. The contest was all but wrapped up at the end of the third, by which point WKU had established a 35-13 advantage. Their QB Bailey Zappe did his thing and passed for four TDs and 393 yards on 46 attempts in addition to punching in one rushing touchdown.
Meanwhile, the Blue Raiders made easy work of the Southern Miss Golden Eagles last week and carried off a 35-10 victory. The game was all but wrapped up at the end of the third, by which point Middle Tenn. had established a 35-10 advantage. Middle Tenn. QB Mike DiLiello did work as he accumulated 78 passing yards in addition to rushing for two TDs and 77 yards.
Middle Tenn.'s defense was a force to be reckoned with, as it collected three interceptions and two fumbles. Those interceptions were spread across their defensive unit.
WKU is the favorite in this one, with an expected 16.5-point margin of victory. Those who got lucky with them against the spread last week might want to hold off on placing bets this time since the squad has yet to string together back-to-back wins against the spread.
The wins brought WKU up to 4-4 and Middle Tenn. to a reciprocal 4-4. A pair of defensive numbers to keep in mind before kickoff: The Hilltoppers are stumbling into the contest with the 231st most rushing touchdowns allowed in the nation, having given up 15 on the season. The Blue Raiders have had an even harder time: they are 218th worst in the nation in rushing touchdowns allowed, with 13 on the season. It's possible one of these Achilles' heels will wind up tripping the losing team up.
