The FIU Panthers (0-4 overall, 0-2 C-USA) and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3-6, 2-3) meet in Bowling Green, Ky. for a 2 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday. Below, we analyze the FIU-Western Kentucky college football betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
FIU at Western Kentucky: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.
- Money line: FIU +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Western Kentucky -304 (bet $304 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: FIU +7.5 (-115) | Western Kentucky -7.5 (-106)
- Over/Under: 43.5 (O: -106 | U: -115)
FIU at Western Kentucky: Three things to know
- Head coach Butch Davis’ Panthers are winless through the first four games, and they have failed to cover the past three. That includes a 38-19 loss at home to rival FAU and a disappointing 19-10 setback to FCS Jacksonville State as 10-point favorites. The offense has managed just 22.8 points per game while yielding 31.0 PPG.
- Western Kentucky is coming off a 10-7 victory over Southern Miss. In the Hilltoppers’ previous game at FAU, they were scoreless at halftime before falling 10-6 as 6.5-point underdogs. They have scored 14 or fewer points in each of the past six, and it’s no surprise the Under is a perfect 4-0 over the last four.
- Western Kentucky’s offense has been toothless, posting just 277.1 total yards per game, 162.8 passing YPG and 114.3 rushing YPG. Defensively the Hilltoppers aren’t too shabby. They rank seventh against the pass, allowing just 167.2 YPG.
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FIU at Western Kentucky: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
FIU 16, Western Kentucky 13
Money line (ML)
FIU (+240) is an attractive upset special target, mainly because of the impotence of the Western Kentucky offense. If you feel the ‘Toppers (-304) are going to win, there is no way you can justify risking more than three times your winnings on a 3-6 club with a dismal attack.
Against the spread (ATS)
FIU +7.5 (-115) is a great play, even if you’re not feeling the Panthers to win outright. That hook is super important. Plus, Western Kentucky has no business being favored by more than a touchdown against anyone. Yes, the Hilltoppers are 3-1 SU as a favorite this season, but they’re also 0-4 ATS in those games, including last week as an 8-point fave.
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 43.5 (-115) is always a risky play in college football, as that number is super low in this day and age. But Western Kentucky has hit the Under in four in a row. FIU is averaging 14.5 PPG across the past two contests, and it will find it tough sledding against a stout WKU defensive unit.
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