Sam Houston and Western Kentucky will face off in Week 0 of the 2025 college football season. Both of these teams had success in 2024 and will look to build on that this season. But they will have to pass this tough test to start their season off on a high note. Before the action begins from the Bluegrass State, continue reading to get my Sam Houston vs Western Kentucky prediction.
Our Sam Houston vs Western Kentucky Pick
- Pick: Western Kentucky -10
- Confidence: 4/5
- Week 0 Bonus Bets: Use BetMGM promo code ATSBONUS to bet on Week 0 and get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if your first bet doesn’t win!
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Sam Houston at Western Kentucky
- Date & Time: Saturday, August 23, 2025, 7:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Houchens Industries–L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, KY
- Broadcast: CBS Sports Network
Sam Houston vs Western Kentucky Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|
| WKU –10 | Sam Houston +295 / WKU –375 | 60.5 |
Key Storylines
Season Outlook
Sam Houston logged a 10-3 record in 2024. They went 7-6 against the spread a season ago. The Bearkats underwent a coaching change when Phil Longo took over in the offseason. It will be interesting to see how they play compared to last year under new leadership.
Western Kentucky won eight games last season but fell short in the Conference USA title game. They also lost to James Madison in the Boca Raton bowl. This season the Hilltoppers will be led by transfer quarterback Maverick McIvor. There is a lot of excitement surrounding McIvor as he makes the leap from the FCS and will look to make an immediate impact in this game.
Quarterback play
All eyes are on Western Kentucky’s new signal-caller. He transferred to WKU from Abilene Christian. McIvor brings over 8,000 career passing yards and 63 touchdowns. He should fit in well with WKU’s wide-open offensive system. Sam Houston’s offensive identity under Longo remains to be seen. But conventional wisdom would suggest that he would try to run the ball and keep it away from the high-powered offense of the Hilltoppers.
Betting Trends & H2H
- Western Kentucky beat Sam Houston 31-14 in Conference USA action last season.
- Sam Houston went 7-6 against the spread last season.
- Western Kentucky went 7-7 against the spread in 2024.
- Western Kentucky was 6-8 in the over/under market last season.
- Sam Houston was 4-9 on totals. Only five FBS teams stayed under their totals in a higher percentage of games.
Sam Houston vs Western Kentucky Model Projection
Score Projection: Western Kentucky 35 – Sam Houston 21
Win Probability: Western Kentucky 75%, Sam Houston 25%
Final Thoughts
I think this game will tell us a lot about how seriously we should take Western Kentucky this season. McIvor will need to step in right away and make plays to help his team live up to expectations. I think he gets off to a great start here. I recommend laying the points with the Hilltoppers as they should win by double-digits at home in a Week 0 Conference USA contest.
