Home / Sports / Struggling Teams Clash in Conference USA Opener
Struggling Teams Clash in Conference USA Opener
1 Oct
Summary
- Both teams have identical 1-3 records entering Conference USA play.
- Western Kentucky lost three in a row before routing Mercyhurst.
- New Mexico State is a 2.5-point favorite at home.
Week 5 of college football features a Conference USA opener between the struggling Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the New Mexico State Aggies. Both teams enter the contest with identical 1-3 records, each having secured a significant win against Mercyhurst. Western Kentucky, after three consecutive losses, dominated Mercyhurst 52-7.
New Mexico State also trounced Mercyhurst 51-14 but has faced tougher competition, losing to Florida State, Hawaii, and rival New Mexico. The Aggies are favored by 2.5 points at home for Thursday's 8 p.m. ET kickoff.
Historically, Western Kentucky has had the edge, winning two of the last three meetings, including a 35-16 road victory last November. This season, Western Kentucky's defense struggles against the run, allowing an average of 220.5 rushing yards per game.
The SportsLine Projection Model favors the Aggies, simulating a 66% win probability and a 63% chance of covering the 2.5-point spread. The model highlights the Aggies' offense as superior and points to Western Kentucky's significant margins of defeat in their losses.
