Western Kentucky vs. Sam Houston Prediction, Odds, Picks - August 23, 2025

Updated Aug. 23, 2025 3:04 p.m. ET

Data Skrive

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (0-0) are 10-point favorites when they host the Sam Houston Bearkats (0-0) in a CUSA matchup on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. The contest has a 60.5-point over/under.

A year ago the Hilltoppers lost the Boca Raton Bowl after going 8-6 in the regular season. On offense, they averaged 24.9 points per game (92nd in college football), and they conceded 24.6 per game (62nd in college football) on defense.

Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports.

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Western Kentucky vs. Sam Houston Game Information & Odds

When: Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 7 p.m. ET
Location: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky
TV: CBS Sports Network
Live Box Score on FOX Sports

Western Kentucky vs Sam Houston Betting Information updated as of August 23, 2025, 2:45 p.m. ET.
Favorite	Spread (Odds)	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline	Total	Over Moneyline	Under Moneyline
Western Kentucky	-10 (-110)	-385	+301	60.5	-111	-109

Western Kentucky vs. Sam Houston Prediction

Pick ATS: Sam Houston (+10)
Pick OU: Under (60.5)
Prediction: Sam Houston 25, Western Kentucky 24

Predictions are made by the Data Skrive betting model.

Learn more about the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. the Sam Houston Bearkats game on FOX Sports!

Western Kentucky vs. Sam Houston Betting Insights

Per the spread and over/under, the implied score for the tilt is Hilltoppers 35, Bearkats 25.
The Hilltoppers have a 79.4% chance to collect the win in this game based on the moneyline's implied probability. The Bearkats have a 24.9% implied probability.
Western Kentucky covered seven times in 14 games with a spread last season.
Sam Houston put together a 7-6-0 ATS record last season.

Western Kentucky vs. Sam Houston: 2024 Stats Comparison

	Western Kentucky	Sam Houston
Off. Points per Game (Rank)	24.9 (72)	23.8 (92)
Def. Points per Game (Rank)	24.6 (85)	20.5 (23)
Turnovers Allowed (Rank)	24 (127)	15 (33)
Turnovers Forced (Rank)	20 (43)	27 (7)

Western Kentucky 2024 Key Players

Name	Position	Stats
Caden Veltkamp	QB	3,108 YDS (66.3%) / 25 TD / 10 INT 150 RUSH YDS / 7 RUSH TD / 10.7 RUSH YPG
Elijah Young	RB	883 YDS / 3 TD / 63.1 YPG / 4.4 YPC 47 REC / 384 REC YDS / 2 REC TD / 27.4 REC YPG
Kisean Johnson	WR	75 REC / 925 YDS / 7 TD / 66.1 YPG
Easton Messer	WR	55 REC / 793 YDS / 4 TD / 56.6 YPG
Devonte' Mathews	DB	82 TKL / 0 TFL / 2 INT / 2 PD
Darius Thomas	LB	49 TKL / 5 TFL / 4 SACK
Hosea Wheeler	DL	64 TKL / 3 TFL / 2 SACK
Sebastian Benjamin	LB	49 TKL / 3 TFL / 3.5 SACK

Sam Houston 2024 Key Players

Name	Position	Stats
Hunter Watson	QB	1,811 YDS (62.3%) / 12 TD / 8 INT 647 RUSH YDS / 9 RUSH TD / 53.9 RUSH YPG
Jevyon Ducker	RB	745 YDS / 7 TD / 57.3 YPG / 4.7 YPC
Simeon Evans	WR	50 REC / 559 YDS / 6 TD / 43 YPG
DJ McKinney	RB	481 YDS / 3 TD / 40.1 YPG / 5 YPC
Caleb Weaver	DB	73 TKL / 2 TFL / 4 INT / 4 PD
Trey Fields	LB	66 TKL / 6 TFL / 1 SACK
Kavian Gaither	LB	64 TKL / 3 TFL / 2 INT / 2 PD
Jaylon Jimmerson	DB	47 TKL / 4 TFL / 1 SACK / 4 INT