Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech - 2023 Matchup Preview

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

Thursday, October 5th 2023 (8:00 PM EDT)
Western Kentucky -6 (59.0) (0) Open: 0.0
Western Kentucky 35 - Louisiana Tech: 28 (Conference USA)

Hilltoppers (8 - 5) (6 - 7 - 0)
Coach Tyson Helton (34 - 22)
Avg Score : 30 - 23 (25 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7.6 - 5.4 (#49)
'23 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

LT is playing their 6th straight game
WKU is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: Western Kentucky -7 (SP+ WKU -11)
Projected Score: WKU: 31 - LT: 24 (56)
WKU Win prob: 66% | Cover: 50%
WKU Travel: 467 miles

Bulldogs (3 - 9) (3 - 9 - 0)
Coach Sonny Cumbie (5 - 11)
Avg Score : 27 - 21 (37 - 17 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 4.9 - 7.1 (#100)
'23 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
WKU Players
LT Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Western Kentucky's 2023 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/2	Western Kentucky vs South Florida	-13.5	71.5	W 41 - 24	U	Y
Sat 9/9	Western Kentucky vs Houston Christian	-41.5	64.5	W 52 - 22	O	N
Sat 9/16	Western Kentucky at Ohio State	+29.5	65.0	L 10 - 63	O	N
Sat 9/23	Western Kentucky at Troy	+3.5	57.0	L 24 - 27	U	Y
Thu 9/28	Western Kentucky vs Middle Tennessee	-6.5	61.0	W 31 - 10	U	Y
Thu 10/5	Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech	-6.0	59.0	W 35 - 28	O	Y
	BYE WEEK
Tue 10/17	Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State	-7.5	60.5	L 17 - 20	U	N
Tue 10/24	Western Kentucky vs Liberty	+4.0	61.5	L 29 - 42	O	N
Sat 11/4	Western Kentucky at UTEP	-9.5	54.5	W 21 - 13	U	N
Sat 11/11	Western Kentucky vs New Mexico State	-4.5	55.5	L 29 - 38	O	N
Sat 11/18	Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston	-12.5	52.0	W 28 - 23	U	N
Sat 11/25	Western Kentucky at Florida International	-11.5	54.0	W 41 - 28	O	Y
Mon 12/18	Western Kentucky vs Old Dominion	+4.0	49.0	W 38 - 35	O	Y

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Western Kentucky's Schedule

Louisiana Tech's 2023 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 8/26	Louisiana Tech vs Florida International	-12.0	57.5	W 22 - 17	U	N
Sat 9/2	Louisiana Tech at SMU	+21.0	66.0	L 14 - 38	U	N
Sat 9/9	Louisiana Tech vs Northwestern State	-23.0	58.5	W 51 - 21	O	Y
Sat 9/16	Louisiana Tech vs North Texas	-4.5	66.5	L 37 - 40	O	N
Sat 9/23	Louisiana Tech at Nebraska	+20.5	44.5	L 14 - 28	U	Y
Fri 9/29	Louisiana Tech at UTEP	-2.0	49.5	W 24 - 10	U	Y
Thu 10/5	Louisiana Tech vs Western Kentucky	+6.0	59.0	L 28 - 35	O	N
Tue 10/10	Louisiana Tech at Middle Tennessee	+3.0	53.5	L 23 - 31	O	N
	BYE WEEK
Tue 10/24	Louisiana Tech vs New Mexico State	-3.0	55.0	L 24 - 27	U	N
Sat 11/4	Louisiana Tech at Liberty	+16.5	58.0	L 30 - 56	O	N
Sat 11/11	Louisiana Tech vs Sam Houston	-8.5	49.5	L 27 - 42	O	N
Sat 11/18	Louisiana Tech at Jacksonville State	+8.5	53.5	L 17 - 56	O	N

Important Stats (2022)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
WKU	.28	44%	29.5	43%	3.17	145	46%	352	3.63	.11	41%	22.8	44%	40%	4.02	57.5	1.6	2.9
LT	.14	39%	27.3	40%	2.78	125	39%	267	3.34	.27	43%	20.8	46%	40%	4.14	63.9	2.1	2.5

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
WKU		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
LT		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2022

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
WKU Offense	14	29.5	24.5	44.5%	3.63	1.6	25	497	145	352	4.9	37%	62%	43%	46%	17%	.28
LT Defense	12	20.8	17.3	42.6%	4.14	2.5	-	-	-	-	-	52%	48%	46%	40%	14%	.27

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
WKU Defense	14	22.8	28	41.4%	4.02	2.9	-	-	-	-	-	48%	50%	44%	40%	17%	.11
LT Offense	12	27.3	36.5	38.9%	3.34	2.1	19	393	125	267	3.8	44%	55%	40%	39%	21%	.14

Additional Stats 2022

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Western Kentucky	14	28:57	24.6	42%	40%	6.2	57.5	1.6	2.9	4.9	2.3	5	30
Louisiana Tech	12	30:05	19.4	37%	45%	6.8	63.9	2.1	2.5	4.6	1.3	2	29.2

Run Game Stats (2023)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
WKU Offense	14	37%	43%	29.6	145.1	4.9	15	.18	3.17	71%	7%	1.05
LT Defense	12	52%	46%	-	-	-	-	.33	3.36	81%	9%	1.25

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
WKU Defense	14	48%	44%	-	-	-	-	.16	3.27	79%	10%	0.96
LT Offense	12	44%	40%	33.3	125.4	3.8	14	.11	2.78	58%	11%	1.03

Pass Game Stats (2023)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
WKU Offense	14	62%	46%	28.7	44.4	352.3	7.9	12.3	43	12	.39	1.7	31%	37%	.52	10%	2.4
LT Defense	12	48%	40%	-	-	-	-	-	-	11	.24	1.7	34%	34%	.4	6%	2.1

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
WKU Defense	14	50%	40%	-	-	-	-	-	-	19	.12	1.4	33%	25%	.14	7%	2
LT Offense	12	55%	39%	21.2	36.2	267.3	7.4	12.6	25	19	.25	1.8	32%	28%	.18	10%	2.1

Western Kentucky's Power Ratings
Western Kentucky's Power Rating: -1.01 #70
Western Kentucky's Offense Rating: 18.92 #46
Western Kentucky's Defense Rating: 9.89 #70
2023 Talent Rating: 491.26 #89
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #75
Western Kentucky's 2023 Expected Record: 7.60 - 5.40
Western Kentucky's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: -1.5 #72
Western Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.4 #55
Western Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.0 #86

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 303.49
Average Power Five Talent: 738.21
Average FBS Talent: 573.89

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: -1.01 Louisiana Tech: -8.065

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: -1.5 Louisiana Tech: -12.5

Louisiana Tech's Power Ratings
Louisiana Tech's Power Rating: -8.065 #113
Louisiana Tech's Offense Rating: 15.14 #80
Louisiana Tech's Defense Rating: 14.18 #112
2023 Talent Rating: 433.72 #105
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #75
Louisiana Tech's 2023 Expected Record: 4.90 - 7.10
Louisiana Tech's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: -12.5 #110
Louisiana Tech's Offense SP+ Rating: 22.4 #87
Louisiana Tech's Defense SP+ Rating: 35.9 #122

Average Talent
Average Sun Belt Talent Rating is 437.55
Average Power Five Talent: 738.21
Average FBS Talent: 573.89

Western Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 29.5 PPG
Offense on Road: 24.5
Defense: 22.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 28

Western Kentucky's 2023 Record
Record: 8 - 5
Record vs Spread: 6 - 7 - 0
Over/Under Record: 7 - 6
Record on Road: 4 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 4 - 5 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 2 - 2 - 0

Projected Score
Western Kentucky 31
Louisiana Tech 24

Projected Total Points: 56

Louisiana Tech Scoring
Offense: 27.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 36.5
Defense: 20.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 17.3

Louisiana Tech's 2023 Record
Record: 3 - 9
Record vs Spread: 3 - 9 - 0
Over/Under Record: 7 - 5
Record at home: 2 - 4
Record vs Spread at home: 1 - 5 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 1 - 5 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 0 - 1 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2025	10/21	Louisiana Tech	27	Western Kentucky	28	Louisiana Tech -5.5	Western Kentucky	49.5	Over
2024	11/16	Western Kentucky	7	Louisiana Tech	12	Western Kentucky -11.5	Louisiana Tech	52.5	Under
2023	10/05	Louisiana Tech	28	Western Kentucky	35	Western Kentucky -6	Western Kentucky	59.0	Over
2018	11/24	Louisiana Tech	15	Western Kentucky	30	Louisiana Tech -10.5	Western Kentucky	49.0	Under
2017	09/16	Western Kentucky	22	Louisiana Tech	23	Western Kentucky -4.5	Louisiana Tech	62.0	Under
2016	10/06	Louisiana Tech	55	Western Kentucky	52	Louisiana Tech -1	Louisiana Tech	69.0	Over
2016	12/03	Western Kentucky	58	Louisiana Tech	44	Western Kentucky -7.5	Western Kentucky	78.5	Over
2015	09/10	Western Kentucky	41	Louisiana Tech	38	Western Kentucky -3	Push	62.5	Over
2014	11/01	Louisiana Tech	59	Western Kentucky	10	Louisiana Tech -3	Louisiana Tech	0

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Louisiana Tech	4	4	5 Overs
Western Kentucky	5	4	3 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	4 - 5	3 - 5	3 - 4	0 - 1
Road Teams	5 - 4	5 - 3	1 - 0	4 - 3

(#70) WKU at (#113) LT

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	WKU	LT
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#70	#113
SP+SP+	#72	#110
Perf GradeGrade	#108	#104
OffenseOff	#111	#89
DefenseDef	#90	#116
Spec TeamsST	#33	#76
TalentTal	#89	#105
Blue ChipsBC%	#75	#75

Western Kentucky Injury Report

Louisiana Tech Injury Report

Western Kentucky on Offense


CategoryCat	WKU Off	LT Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#111	#116
SuccessSuc	NR	NR
ExplosiveExp	NR	NR
PPAPPA	NR	NR
PowerPwr	#46	#112
SP+SP+	#55	#122
Pts POPPO	NR	NR
HavocHav	NR	NR

Western Kentucky Run Game


CategoryCat	WKU Off	LT Def
Run GameRun	#133	#128
Run SuccessRSuc	NR	NR
Run ExplRExp	NR	NR
PPAExp	NR	NR
Run BlockR Blk	#127	-
OL YdsOLY	NR	NR
Stuff RateStuff	NR	NR
TackleTak	-	#67

Western Kentucky Pass Game


CategoryCat	WKU Off	LT Def
Pass GamePass	#75	#46
Pass SuccessPSuc	NR	NR
Pass ExplPExl	NR	NR
PPAExp	NR	NR
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	#83	#103
F7 HavocF7	NR	NR
DB HavocDB	NR	NR

Louisiana Tech on Offense


CategoryCat	LT Off	WKU Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#89	#90
SuccessSuc	NR	NR
ExplosiveExp	NR	NR
PPAPPA	NR	NR
PowerPwr	#80	#70
SP+SP+	#87	#86
Pts POPPO	NR	NR
HavocHav	NR	NR

Louisiana Tech Run Game


CategoryCat	LT Off	WKU Def
Run GameRun	#98	#122
Run SuccessRSuc	NR	NR
Run ExplRExp	NR	NR
PPAExp	NR	NR
Run BlockR Blk	#103	-
OL YdsOLY	NR	NR
Stuff RateStuff	NR	NR
TackleTak	-	#128

Louisiana Tech Pass Game


CategoryCat	LT Off	WKU Def
Pass GamePass	#49	#35
Pass SuccessPSuc	NR	NR
Pass ExplPExl	NR	NR
PPAExp	NR	NR
Pass Block/RushP Blk	#81	#63
F7 HavocF7	NR	NR
DB HavocDB	NR	NR

Program Comparison
LT 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'23 Profile: Remains Below Avg G5

WKU 5 Year Profile: Declining Top G5
'23 Profile: Remains Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Joe Aillet Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Rematch from Week 6
Western Kentucky 6.0 (59.0)
Western Kentucky won at Louisiana Tech this year (35-28)

Previous Matchups
Western Kentucky beat Louisiana Tech last year (28-27)
Louisiana Tech beat Western Kentucky in 2024 (12-7)
Western Kentucky beat Louisiana Tech in 2023 (35-28)

WKU's OC Drew Hollingshead (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Austin Reed (Tr)	289	470	62%	3324	31	11	7.1
Caden Veltkamp	41	54	76%	387	5	1	7.2

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Elijah Young	104	490	3	4.7	64
Markese Stepp	69	310	3	4.5	56
Davion Ervin-Poindexter	63	241	1	3.8	18
LT Sanders	31	138	0	4.5	56

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Malachi Corley	79	984	11	12.5	75
Dalvin Smith	50	513	6	10.3	45
Easton Messer	42	484	4	11.5	35
Jimmy Holiday (Tr)	20	326	2	16.3	39

View Western Kentucky's Full Roster

WKU's DC Tyson Summers (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Kendrick Simpkins	50	12	8	8	1
Talique Allen (Tr)	48	1	0	1	3
Kylan Guidry	48	6	3	1	0
Desmyn Baker	41	3	1	2	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Kendrick Simpkins	50	12	8	8	1
Kylan Guidry	48	6	3	1	0
Sebastian Benjamin	25	3	3	2	0
Hosea Wheeler	40	4	2	1	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Upton Stout	24	1	1	5	8
Rome Weber	19	1	0	0	7
Anthony Johnson Jr.	36	1	0	0	5

LT's OC Jake Brown (in his second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Hank Bachmeier (Tr)	182	269	68%	2058	10	5	7.7
Jack Turner	84	147	57%	1017	5	5	6.9

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Tyre Shelton (Tr)	97	551	5	5.7	56
Keith Willis	51	288	7	5.6	68
Charvis Thornton	55	270	1	4.9	47
Keldric Moody	34	149	0	4.4	24

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Smoke Harris	83	796	4	9.6	64
Cyrus Allen	46	778	4	16.9	85
Kyle Maxwell	20	363	2	18.2	47
Tru Edwards	23	284	2	12.3	36

View Louisiana Tech's Full Roster

LT's DC Scott Power (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jeslord Boateng (Tr)	93	9	1	0	1
Myles Heard (Tr)	88	6	0	3	4
Brevin Randle (Tr)	74	9	2	1	2
Cecil Singleton	74	1	0	0	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Deshon Hall	30	5	4	1	0
Rason Williams II	23	5	3	2	0
Jessie Evans	32	7	3	0	1
Brevin Randle (Tr)	74	9	2	1	2

Pass D	Tack	TFL	PRESS	PD
Willie Roberts	38	1	0	12
Michael Richard Jr.	32	2	2	7
Jhamal Shelby Jr.	9	1	0	4