Western Kentucky at LSU - 2025 Matchup Preview
Western Kentucky logo Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at LSU Tigers(#3)LSU logo
Saturday, November 22nd 2025 (12:00 AM EST)
Tiger Stadium - Baton Rouge, LA

 
Hilltoppers (2 - 1) (2 - 1 - 0)
Coach Tyson Helton (48 - 31)
Avg Score : 39 - 25 (21 - 45 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8 - 4 (#41)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 8)
LSU 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: LSU -29.5   (SP+ LSU -20)

Projected Score: WKU: 9 - LSU: 38 (47)
LSU Win prob: 99% | Cover: 51%
WKU Travel: 529 miles
Tigers (3 - 0) (2 - 1 - 0)
Coach Brian Kelly (28 - 11)
Avg Score : 20 - 9 (22 - 9 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 9 - 3 (#21)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 2) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 5) (Good: 2) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
 
Western Kentucky's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/23 Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston-9.560.5W 41 - 24OY
Sat 8/30 Western Kentucky vs North Alabama-27.560.5W 55 - 6OY
Sat 9/6 Western Kentucky at Toledo+8.557.5L 21 - 45ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20 Western Kentucky vs Nevada-10.554.5
Sat 9/27 Western Kentucky at Missouri State-12
Fri 10/3 Western Kentucky at Delaware-2
BYE WEEK
Tue 10/14 Western Kentucky vs Florida International-6.5
Tue 10/21 Western Kentucky at Louisiana Tech-1
Sat 11/1 Western Kentucky vs New Mexico State-13
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Western Kentucky vs Middle Tennessee-20.5
Sat 11/22 Western Kentucky at LSU+29.5
Sat 11/29 Western Kentucky at Jacksonville State-7

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 7
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 3, Poor 5
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Western Kentucky's Schedule
LSU's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 LSU at Clemson+3.557.5W 17 - 10UY
Sat 9/6 LSU vs Louisiana Tech-36.549.5W 23 - 7UN
Sat 9/13 LSU vs Florida-5.547.5W 20 - 10UY
Sat 9/20 LSU vs SE Louisiana-46.5
Sat 9/27 LSU at Ole Miss+2.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11 LSU vs South Carolina-13
Sat 10/18 LSU at Vanderbilt-2.5
Sat 10/25 LSU vs Texas A&M-2.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/8 LSU at Alabama+8.5
Sat 11/15 LSU vs Arkansas-10
Sat 11/22 LSU vs Western Kentucky-29.5
Sat 11/29 LSU at Oklahoma+6

Total: Elite: 5, Good: 4, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 5, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 2, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for LSU's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WKU#80 (.16)42% (83)3937% (112)2.71 (96)11045% (59)3585 (32)#91 (.18)35% (37)2539% (67)32% (30)3.08 (53)641.31
LSU#109 (.09)39% (103)2032% (126)2.07 (129)11144% (65)2352.63 (123)#20 (-.03)38% (60)943% (91)35% (44)2.7 (40)63.31.32
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WKU#66 (.19)42% (83)38% (117)2.78 (108)11045% (33)2653.83 (78)#95 (.21)45% (102)48% (113)40% (60)3.66 (54)41.31.71.5
LSU#30 (.25)45% (38)42% (89)2.92 (90)10847% (24)2913.99 (60)#92 (.21)41% (60)41% (54)41% (73)3.44 (30)45.71.21



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WKU Offense3392142.1%51.3234681103583.534%66%37%45%12%.16
LSU Defense398.538%2.72 - - - - - 36%64%43%35%18%-.03
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WKU Defense3254535.2%3.081 - - - - - 51%49%39%32%17%.18
LSU Offense32021.538.6%2.631.3213451112353.744%55%32%44%17%.09

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Western Kentucky329:5423.349%20%6641.315.71.3029.5
LSU332:0520.741%0%7.363.31.3242.3129
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WKU Offense334% (136)37% (112)31.7109.73.54 (79)-.16 (131)2.71 (96)60% (103)7% (44)0.8 (107)
LSU Defense336% (3)43% (91) - - - - -.02 (42)2.58 (50)100% (127)6% (120)0.58 (5)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WKU Defense351% (77)39% (67) - - - - .19 (108)3.03 (94)71% (72)10% (76)1.27 (121)
LSU Offense344% (104)32% (126)30110.73.72 (109)-.03 (115)2.07 (129)58% (109)10% (97)1.04 (49)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WKU Offense366% (1)45% (59)29433588.312.311 (5)1 (23).32 (63)1.7 (28)34% (105)37% (35).1 (117)5% (63)1.7 (108)
LSU Defense364% (134)35% (44) - - - - - - 6 (2)-.04 (17)1.4 (40)35% (50)17% (19)-.2 (3)12% (3)2.1 (78)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WKU Defense349% (58)32% (30) - - - - - - 2 (56).19 (61)1.6 (77)37% (28)15% (12)-.01 (20)7% (44)1.8 (51)
LSU Offense355% (36)44% (65)23.335.72356.610.13 (90)2 (60).2 (92)1.4 (111)33% (96)34% (53).23 (93)7% (104)1.9 (75)

Western Kentucky's Power Ratings
Western Kentucky's Power Rating: -5.06 #91
Western Kentucky's Offense Rating: 7.41 #91
Western Kentucky's Defense Rating: 12.47 #93
2025 Talent Rating: 620.00 #89
Blue Chip Ratio: 1% #88
Western Kentucky's 2025 Expected Record: 8.0 - 4.0
Western Kentucky's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -2.5 #77
Western Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.1 #84
Western Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.2 #81

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 457.83
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85

Power Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: -5.06   LSU: 25.73

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: -2.5   LSU: 17.4




LSU's Power Ratings
LSU's Power Rating: 25.73 #12
LSU's Offense Rating: 20.50 #30
LSU's Defense Rating: -8.56 #5
2025 Talent Rating: 1042.00 #8
Blue Chip Ratio: 71 #4
LSU's 2025 Expected Record: 9.0 - 3.0
LSU's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 17.4 #17
LSU's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.1 #25
LSU's Defense SP+ Rating: 16.7 #15

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 951.5
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85


Western Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 39 PPG
Offense on Road: 21
Defense: 25 PPG
Defense on Road: 45

Western Kentucky's 2025 Record
Record: 2 - 1
Record vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 1
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
LSU 38
Western Kentucky 9


Total Points: 47

LSU Scoring
Offense: 20 PPG
Offense at Home: 21.5
Defense: 9 PPG
Defense at Home: 8.5

LSU's 2025 Record
Record: 3 - 0
Record vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Record at home: 2 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 1 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
201510/24LSU48Western Kentucky20LSULSU -17LSU65.0Over
201111/12LSU42Western Kentucky9LSU
TeamWinsCoversO/U
LSU211 Overs
Western Kentucky000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams2 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 20 - 10 - 00 - 1

(#91) Western Kentucky Info
Power Rating: -5.06 #91
Offense Rating: 7.41 #91
Defense Rating: 12.47 #93
Overall SP+ Rating: -2.5 #77
Offense SP+ Rating: 25.1 #84
Defense SP+ Rating: 28.2 #81
Talent Rating: 620.00 #89
Blue Chip Ratio: 1% #88
Expected Record: 8.0 - 4.0

Team Profile
Very Pass heavy Offense 66%, Run: 34%
Bad Offense Success Rate of 42%
Bad Offensive Explosiveness
Good in Scoring Position 5 PPO
Awful Run Success 37%
Avg Pass Success 45%
Bad OL Grades, Poor OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Bad Sacks/Turnovers
Good Defense Success Rate of 35%
Avg in Scoring Position 3.08 PPO
Bad Run Def Success 39%
Good Pass Def Success 32%
Avg Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position

Western Kentucky has lost 8 straight
Western Kentucky has lost 4 straight on the Road
Record on Road: 0 - 1 (0 - 1 - 0 vs Spread )

Western Kentucky Notes
(8/2) Over Bet Watch, McIvor off great, Def rough
(7/25) Def portal adds include 11 DL, 3 LB, 8 DBs.
(7/25) WR complete rebuild. Took 7 portals + 2 TEs
(7/25) OL rebuild. 10 portal adds. Will take some time
(7/11) Portal hits big, 2 starters back. 46 portals signed
(7/11) QB McIvor (3k yds/30 TD) combo w/ OC McIvor
(5/2) WR Henry (FCS W Ill) 1,179 yds, 6 TD LY
(3/22) Def avg CUSA, but must rebuild most
(3/22) Almost 60% new roster, new OC/DC.
(3/22) New OC Bowie (Alb. Chr.) brought QB McIvor

Western Kentucky Highlights
Western Kentucky offense is explosive (#19)
Western Kentucky offense is good on 3rd downs
Western Kentucky has a good pass defense (#30)

Western Kentucky Deficiencies
Western Kentucky Fumbles a Lot (#113)
Western Kentucky Can Not Run the Ball (#117)
Western Kentucky Runs Get Stuffed a Lot (#114)
Western Kentucky run game is really bad (#112)
Western Kentucky gives up a Lot of Explosive Plays (#105)

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatLSUWKU
OverallOver#63#47
OffenseOff#89#60
DefenseDef#32#67
Special TeamsST#98#4
PassingPass#31#44
RushingRush#96#64
Run BlockRBLK#110#109
Pass BlockPBLK#22#73
Route RunningWR Rt#86#23
TacklingTkl#64#94
Run DefenseR Def#26#91
Pass Rush DefPRush#79#22
Coverage DefCov#12#57

Weather Forecast
Playing in Tiger Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: WKU | LSU
Depth Chart: WKU | LSU
Rosters: WKU | LSU
(#12) LSU Info
Power Rating: 25.73 #12
Offense Rating: 20.50 #30
Defense Rating: -8.56 #5
Overall SP+ Rating: 17.4 #17
Offense SP+ Rating: 34.1 #25
Defense SP+ Rating: 16.7 #15
Talent Rating: 1042.00 #8
Blue Chip Ratio: 71 #4
Expected Record: 9.0 - 3.0

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 44%
Poor Offense Success Rate of 39%
Poor Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 2.63 PPO
Awful Run Success 32%
Avg Pass Success 44%
Bad OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Awful Sacks/Turnovers
Avg Defense Success Rate of 38%
Good in Scoring Position 2.7 PPO
Poor Run Def Success 43%
Good Pass Def Success 35%
Good Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position

LSU has lost 7 straight
LSU has lost 4 straight at Home
Record at home: 2 - 0 (1 - 1 - 0 vs Spread)

LSU Notes
(9/15) Nussmeier dealing w/ torso injury after UF
(8/30) Def incredible vs Clemson, Off enough in W
(6/26) WRs Brown (UK) & Anderson(OU) are weapons
(6/7) Big yr for staff. Clemson/UF early set the tone
(6/7) LB Whit Weeks a top LB via PFF, LB Unit good
(5/23) Safeties Cooley & Haulcy a top duo in CFB
(5/16) DE portals Pyburn (UF) & Payton (FSU) huge
(3/22) Top portal class, 10 P4 starters from LY
(3/20) TE's are massive. Sharp (OU) v athletic.
(3/18) QB Nussmeier could be special, good depth

LSU Highlights
LSU in Undefeated
LSU is Undefeated at Home

LSU defense does not give up big plays (#19)
LSU Secondary is very good (#3)
LSU defense Intercepts a lot of Passes (#2)

LSU Deficiencies
LSU has a really bad Offense
LSU Can Not Run the Ball (#116)
LSU Commits a Lot of Penalties (#103)
LSU offense is really bad (#103)
LSU Runs Get Stuffed a Lot (#122)
LSU offense is bad in Scoring Opportunities (#123)
LSU run game is really bad (#126)


  
Western Kentucky's OC Rick Bowie
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Maverick McIvor (Tr)8012067%9411017.8
Rodney Tisdale Jr.6875%941011.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Marvis Parrish239304.022
Jaden McGill (Tr)166313.915
George Hart III175913.512
La'Vell Wright (Tr)113913.512
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Moussa Barry11210019.148
Matthew Henry (Tr)11198318.055
K.D. Hutchinson12184315.378
Marvis Parrish1410017.122

View Western Kentucky's Full Roster
Western Kentucky's DC DaVon Brown
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dave Herard140000
Jaylen Lewis (Tr)130001
Jaylen Wester (Tr)131010
Dylan Flowers101001
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Harper Holloman73103
Dominic Oliver (Tr)102100
Jayden Gray (Tr)72120
Jaden Hardy (Tr)102100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Harper Holloman73103
Al-Ma'Hi Ali (Tr)80002
Lataj Wright00001

LSU's OC Joe Sloan
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Garrett Nussmeier6910665%689326.5
Zavion Thomas11100%160016.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Caden Durham4519624.451
Zavion Thomas98008.948
Harlem Berry85907.443
Barion Brown (Tr)115015.015
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Aaron Anderson18247013.739
Barion Brown (Tr)1514509.719
Bauer Sharp (Tr)997010.865
Zavion Thomas98919.923

View LSU's Full Roster
LSU's DC Blake Baker
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
West Weeks272100
Davhon Keys231110
Tamarcus Cooley (Tr)180000
Harold Perkins132132
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jacobian Guillory21100
Dominick McKinley31100
Harold Perkins132132
P.J. Woodland121112
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mansoor Delane (Tr)90014
Ashton Stamps10002
Harold Perkins132132