Western Kentucky vs. Middle Tennessee: TV Channel, Live Stream, Time, How to Watch – September 28

Updated Sep. 28, 2023 5:34 p.m. ET

FOX Sports

On Thursday at 7:30 PM ET, the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (1-3) will visit Austin Reed and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (2-2).

The game featuring the Hilltoppers and Blue Raiders will be available on CBS Sports Network.

How to Watch Western Kentucky vs. Middle Tennessee

Date	Opponent	Score	Spread
9/2/2023	vs. South Florida	W 41-24	-13
9/9/2023	vs. Houston Christian	W 52-22	-13
9/16/2023	at Ohio State	L 63-10	+30
9/23/2023	at Troy	L 27-24	+4
9/28/2023	vs. Middle Tennessee	-
10/5/2023	at Louisiana Tech	-	-
10/17/2023	at Jacksonville State	-	-
10/24/2023	vs. Liberty	-	-
11/4/2023	at UTEP	-	-
11/11/2023	vs. New Mexico State	-	-
11/18/2023	vs. Sam Houston	-	-
11/25/2023	at Florida International	-	-

Despite sporting a bottom-25 defense that ranks sixth-worst in the FBS (497.8 yards allowed per game), Western Kentucky has had more success on offense, ranking 85th in the FBS offensively putting up 367.5 yards per game.
Western Kentucky has the 30th-ranked passing offense this year (281.5 passing yards per game), and has been less effective on defense, ranking 22nd-worst with 271.5 passing yards allowed per game.
The Hilltoppers sport the 54th-ranked scoring offense this season (31.8 points per game), and they've been less effective on defense, ranking 18th-worst with 34 points allowed per game.
It's been a difficult stretch for the Hilltoppers in terms of running the ball, as they rank 11th-worst in rushing offense (86 rushing yards per game) and eighth-worst in rushing defense (226.3 rushing yards per game allowed) in 2023.
With a 32.7% third-down conversion rate (17th-worst) and a 47.5% third-down rate allowed on defense (16th-worst), Western Kentucky has been getting outplayed on both sides of the ball this season in terms of third-down efficiency.
With 11 forced turnovers (second in the FBS) against six turnovers committed (69th in the FBS), the Hilltoppers' +5 turnover margin is the seventh-best in college football.

Name	Position	Stats
Austin Reed	QB	1,064 YDS (62.9%) / 9 TD / 1 INT 47 RUSH YDS / 2 RUSH TD / 11.8 RUSH YPG
Easton Messer	WR	18 REC / 237 YDS / 2 TD / 59.3 YPG
Malachi Corley	WR	21 REC / 255 YDS / 2 TD / 63.8 YPG
Markese Stepp	RB	88 YDS / 1 TD / 22 YPG / 4.2 YPC
Kendrick Simpkins	DB	15 TKL / 4 TFL / 4 SACK
Jaques Evans	LB	19 TKL / 0 TFL / 1 SACK
Upton Stout	DB	18 TKL / 0 TFL / 1 INT / 1 PD
Niko Cooper	LB	17 TKL / 3 TFL / 1 SACK

Date	Opponent	Score	Spread
9/2/2023	at Alabama	L 56-7	+39.5
9/9/2023	at Missouri	L 23-19	+21
9/16/2023	vs. Murray State	W 35-14	-33
9/23/2023	vs. Colorado State	L 31-23	-4
9/28/2023	at Western Kentucky	-
10/4/2023	vs. Jacksonville State	-	-
10/10/2023	vs. Louisiana Tech	-	-
10/17/2023	at Liberty	-	-
11/4/2023	at New Mexico State	-	-
11/11/2023	vs. Florida International	-	-
11/18/2023	vs. UTEP	-	-
11/25/2023	at Sam Houston	-	-

With 358.5 total yards per game on the offensive side of the ball, Middle Tennessee ranks 91st in the FBS in 2023. On defense, it ranks 85th, allowing 381.5 total yards per contest.
From an offensive angle, Middle Tennessee is putting up 229.3 passing yards per contest (81st-ranked). It ranks 91st in the FBS defensively (242.3 passing yards given up per game).
The Blue Raiders have not been getting things done on offense, ranking 25th-worst in the FBS with 21 points per game. They have been more productive defensively, surrendering 31 points per contest (106th-ranked).
With 129.3 rushing yards per game on offense, the Blue Raiders rank 94th in the FBS. Defensively they rank 79th, allowing 139.3 rushing yards per game.
Middle Tennessee ranks 59th in third-down conversion percentage (42.9%) on offense, but it has been less productive defensively, ranking fifth-worst in the FBS with a 54.5% third-down percentage allowed.
After forcing four turnovers (97th in the FBS) and turning the ball over five times (50th in the FBS) this season, the Blue Raiders sport the 82nd-ranked turnover margin of -1.

Name	Position	Stats
Nicholas Vattiato	QB	911 YDS (70.6%) / 7 TD / 2 INT 138 RUSH YDS / 1 RUSH TD / 34.5 RUSH YPG
Jaiden Credle	RB	188 YDS / 1 TD / 47 YPG / 6.5 YPC 6 REC / 56 REC YDS / 1 REC TD / 14 REC YPG
Elijah Metcalf	WR	22 REC / 192 YDS / 1 TD / 48 YPG
Jekail Middlebrook	RB	85 YDS / 2 TD / 21.3 YPG / 4.7 YPC
Sam Brumfield	LB	7 TKL / 1 TFL / 2 SACK
Drew Francis	LB	3 TKL / 2 TFL / 2 SACK
Jakobe Thomas	S	7 TKL / 0 TFL
Quindarius Dunnigan	DE	5 TKL / 2 TFL / 1 SACK