Western Kentucky at Missouri State - 2025 Matchup Preview
Western Kentucky logo Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Missouri State BearsMissouri State logo
Saturday, September 27th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Plaster Sports Complex - Springfield, MO

 
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)
MOST 3rd straight Home Game
MOST is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Western Kentucky -12   (SP+ WKU -18.5)

Projected Score: WKU: 34 - MOST: 22 (56)
WKU Win prob: 79% | Cover: 45%
WKU Travel: 376 miles
Bears (1 - 2) (2 - 1 - 0)
Coach Ryan Beard (12 - 11)
Avg Score : 15 - 40 (10 - 28 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 4.3 - 7.7 (#110)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 9)
 
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
Missouri State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Missouri State at USC+34.559.5L 13 - 73ON
Sat 9/6 Missouri State at Marshall+7.053.5W 21 - 20UY
Sat 9/13 Missouri State vs SMU+29.560.5L 10 - 28UY
Sat 9/20 Missouri State vs UT Martin-5.5
Sat 9/27 Missouri State vs Western Kentucky+12
BYE WEEK
Wed 10/8 Missouri State at Middle Tennessee-1.5
BYE WEEK
Wed 10/22 Missouri State at New Mexico State+6.5
Wed 10/29 Missouri State vs Florida International+8
Sat 11/8 Missouri State at Liberty+18.5
Sat 11/15 Missouri State vs UTEP+8.5
Sat 11/22 Missouri State at Kennesaw State+1.5
Sat 11/29 Missouri State vs Louisiana Tech+8.5

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

Predictions for Missouri State'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
MOST#76 (.19)36% (121)14.731% (129)2.01 (130)6840% (92)2741.63 (131)#133 (.43)47% (113)40.344% (97)49% (117)5 (121)752.31.3
 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
MOST0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



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
MOST Defense340.32846.5%51.3 - - - - - 52%45%44%49%13%.43
 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
MOST Offense314.71035.7%1.632.316342682742.246%54%31%40%26%.19

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
Missouri State332:511624%67%7752.31.34.31.3029.8
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)
MOST Defense352% (93)44% (97) - - - - .21 (110)3.24 (115)50% (19)7% (110)0.92 (67)
 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)
MOST Offense346% (96)31% (129)31.3682.20 (135)-.09 (129)2.01 (130)60% (103)20% (136)1.21 (28)

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)
MOST Defense345% (37)49% (117) - - - - - - 2 (56).67 (133)1.9 (123)29% (108)32% (86).66 (128)6% (62)2.8 (132)
 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)
MOST Offense354% (42)40% (92)21.732.72748.412.75 (54)6 (132).44 (36)2.2 (3)41% (132)35% (50).4 (55)6% (86)2.3 (28)

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   Missouri State: -15.615

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Western Kentucky: -2.5   Missouri State: -21.2




Missouri State's Power Ratings
Missouri State's Power Rating: -15.615 #116
Missouri State's Offense Rating: 4.83 #106
Missouri State's Defense Rating: 19.86 #119
2025 Talent Rating: 310.00 #131
Blue Chip Ratio: 11 #38
Missouri State's 2025 Expected Record: 4.3 - 7.7
Missouri State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -21.2 #129
Missouri State's Offense SP+ Rating: 22.1 #106
Missouri State's Defense SP+ Rating: 43.1 #135

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 457.83
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
Western Kentucky 34
Missouri State 22


Total Points: 56

Missouri State Scoring
Offense: 14.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 10
Defense: 40.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 28

Missouri State's 2025 Record
Record: 1 - 2
Record vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 1 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Missouri State000 Overs
Western Kentucky000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#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 2 straight
Western Kentucky has lost 1 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
CategoryCatMOSTWKU
OverallOver#103#47
OffenseOff#102#60
DefenseDef#89#67
Special TeamsST#102#4
PassingPass#70#44
RushingRush#104#64
Run BlockRBLK#116#109
Pass BlockPBLK#80#73
Route RunningWR Rt#63#23
TacklingTkl#113#94
Run DefenseR Def#73#91
Pass Rush DefPRush#106#22
Coverage DefCov#75#57

Weather Forecast
Playing in Plaster Sports Complex
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: WKU | MOST
Depth Chart: WKU | MOST
Rosters: WKU | MOST
(#116) Missouri State Info
Power Rating: -15.615 #116
Offense Rating: 4.83 #106
Defense Rating: 19.86 #119
Overall SP+ Rating: -21.2 #129
Offense SP+ Rating: 22.1 #106
Defense SP+ Rating: 43.1 #135
Talent Rating: 310.00 #131
Blue Chip Ratio: 11 #38
Expected Record: 4.3 - 7.7

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 46%
Awful Offense Success Rate of 36%
Bad Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 1.63 PPO
Awful Run Success 31%
Poor Pass Success 40%
Poor OL Grades, Awful OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Poor Sacks/Turnovers
Awful Defense Success Rate of 47%
Awful in Scoring Position 5 PPO
Poor Run Def Success 44%
Awful Pass Def Success 49%
Poor Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position

Missouri State has lost 2 straight
Missouri State has lost 2 straight at Home
Record at home: 0 - 1 (1 - 0 - 0 vs Spread)

Missouri State Notes
(4/7) Bears use WR1 a ton, BlackStrain (GT) that guy
(4/7) RB Lawrence (FIU) starts, watch Fr King Davis
(3/26) QB Clark back, 3K yds, 26 TD. Looks good
(3/26) WR/TE some exp, TE Mason good. 1 portal
(3/26) OL no clue, looks really weak, no portals
(3/26) Def limited, lots of shootouts LY. Some exp
(3/26) HC Beard in his 3rd, improved to 8-4 LY.
(3/26) Passing offense was 2nd in FCS 39 PPG LY
(3/26) Bears were a middling FCS program, why FBS?

Missouri State Highlights
Missouri State is Undefeated vs Spread at Home
Missouri State is Undefeated vs Spread as Home Underdogs

Missouri State offense is explosive (#2)

Missouri State Deficiencies
Missouri State has a really bad Offense
Missouri State has a really bad Offense at Home
Missouri State has a bad TO Margin (#125)
Missouri State Can Not Run the Ball (#132)
Missouri State throws a Lot of Interceptions (#132)
Missouri State offense is really bad (#121)
Missouri State Runs Get Stuffed a Lot (#135)
Missouri State offense is bad in Scoring Opportunities (#131)
Missouri State run game is really bad (#129)
Missouri State offense is bad on 3rd Downs
Missouri State Defense Gives up a Lot of Points
Missouri State has a bad defense (#113)
Missouri State gives up a Lot of Explosive Plays (#112)
Missouri State Does Not Stuff Runs (#123)
Missouri State has a bad defensive line (#115)
Missouri State has a bad red zone defense (#121)


  
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

Missouri State's OC Nick Petrino
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jacob Clark609265%781568.5
Cole Feuerbacher44100%12003.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Shomari Lawrence (Tr)4214303.423
Ramone Green Jr.103403.412
Jmariyae Robinson121021.021
Reggie Branch42005.09
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Ramone Green Jr.9164118.257
Jmariyae Robinson9164118.252
Alred Luke10129112.927
Tristian Gardner7104114.933

View Missouri State's Full Roster
Missouri State's DC L.D. Scott
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Maguire Neal170001
Thomas Anderson150001
Christian Ford (Tr)150000
Jared Lloyd142100
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mitchell Toney93211
Caleb Dietlin41100
Jared Lloyd142100
Maguire Neal170001
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jordan Dunbar (Tr)80003
Davon Townley Jr.40002
Mitchell Toney93211