FIU vs Western Kentucky Prediction, Odds & Expert Pick for Tuesday CFB

• Western Kentucky takes its undefeated conference record to Tuesday night football
• Can FIU beat Western Kentucky for the first time since 2018?
• Check out my FIU vs Western Kentucky prediction as well as the updated betting lines

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Two Conference USA foes face off on Tuesday night. The FIU Golden Panthers (2-3) and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (5-1) battle for early conference supremacy. Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green hosts a 8:00 PM ET kickoff on Tuesday, Oct. 14th, on an ESPNU broadcast.

I’ve locked in my FIU vs Western Kentucky prediction for Tuesday night and provided the latest betting odds as kickoff approaches.

FIU vs Western Kentucky Prediction

• Under 57 (-122, BetRivers)

FIU has yet to beat a team not located in Florida. They beat FCS Bethune-Cookman in Week 1 and Florida Atlantic in Week 3, but they have 20-plus-point losses to Penn State, Delaware, and UConn. FIU ranks in the bottom 25 in the FBS in both points scored and points allowed. In road games, they have been outscored 85-10.

The FIU passing attack has been largely toothless. Starter Keyone Jenkins has more interceptions than passing touchdowns, averaging just 5.5 yards per pass. He has a PFF passing grade of 49.3 with a whopping 11 turnover-worthy plays in just five games. He has fared slightly better on the ground, punching in four touchdowns, but he has five fumbles.

The strength of the FIU offense is senior running back Kejon Owens. Owens has averaged a robust 6.1 yards per rush and found the endzone five times. He is second in the conference in rushing yards and third in the conference in rushing touchdowns.

Red Zone Express and @kejon_owens is the conductor 🚂 https://t.co/Dcl6we3HZf pic.twitter.com/hS7PadIqtX

— FIU Football (@FIUFootball) August 30, 2025

Two FIU receivers have eclipsed 100 yards this season. Alex Perry has caught both passing touchdowns, and he leads the team with 16 catches and 194 yards. Maguire Anderson has played a secondary role in the passing attack, hauling seven passes on 14 targets.

The player to watch on FIU’s defense is the immaculately named Mister Clark. Clark leads the Golden Panthers with four passes defended, and he’s tied for the team lead with three tackles for a loss. The do-it-all sophomore safety has also forced a fumble.

Western Kentucky is off to a rolling start. They have beaten Sam Houston State, Missouri State, and Delaware to catapult to a 3-0 conference start. Their out-of-conference slate of FCS North Alabama, Toledo (a 24-point loss), and Nevada yielded a 2-1 record. The Hilltoppers have a non-zero chance of making the College Football Playoff as a conference championship, but they would have to win out – a feat that would involve beating a currently top-10 LSU team.

Once again, Western Kentucky is led by a high-flying passing attack. Previously a quarterback at Texas Tech and Abilene Christian, Maverick McIvor is not only on the All-Name team in college football, but he is also one of the most prolific passers in America. He leads C-USA in completions, completion percentage, passing yards, and passing touchdowns.

🏈 OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK 🏈

🏅3⃣ Maverick McIvor, @WKUFootball #NoLimitsOnUs | https://t.co/dFbhE9Xfur pic.twitter.com/NmySIxsvxy

— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) October 6, 2025

In contrast to FIU, Western Kentucky already has seven players with 100 receiving yards, including two with 300-plus yards. Leading receiver Matthew Henry leads the team with 377 receiving yards. K.D. Hutchinson has hauled in 26 passes, including three touchdowns, tying Henry for the team lead.

The Hilltoppers’ rushing attack is more muted, but leading rusher La’Vell Wright has scored five touchdowns. WKU has a by-committee approach as three different runners have between 35 and 47 attempts on the season.

Defensively, Harper Holloman is the man of the hour. He has racked up four tackles for a loss, two sacks, and four pass deflections. He leads C-USA with 29 pressures, a mark that ranks in the top 10 nationally.

FIU vs Western Kentucky Pick

• Under 57 (-122, BetRivers)

Here are the primary reasons why I’m taking Under 57 in FIU vs Western Kentucky:

• I have my doubts that FIU can keep pace in a high-scoring affair. They have scored 16 or fewer points in three of five games. When they do score, it is usually off the strength of their rushing attack. Of their 11 touchdowns in their two wins, 10 of them were scored on the ground. The most likely scenario for the Golden Panthers remaining competitive is running the football and bleeding the clock. Couple the ground game with Western Kentucky’s 11.7 missed tackles per game, and you have the recipe for a high time-of-possesion game.
• While the skill players have been effective for Western Kentucky, they have struggled to block at times. They have a 64.2 pass-blocking grade and 52.8 run-blocking grade. This is one aspect of the game that could tilt in FIU’s favor, making the under more likely.
• FIU has had shaky kicking this season, converting just 60% of its field goals. FIU could be forced to go for more fourth downs, which, given the lack of strength in the offense, could result in turnovers on downs instead of points on the scoreboard. FIU has averaged just 18.2 first downs per game.

FIU vs Western Kentucky Betting Odds

The sportsbooks have Western Kentucky as strong home favorites, with the total set between 55.5 and 57 points. Over bettors can get over 55.5 for -112 odds at DraftKings. Under bettors can get under 57 at BetRivers for -122 odds.

Western Kentucky bettors should take them -9.5 at BetMGM (-110 odds) or -335 on the moneyline at BetRivers. FIU bettors should take them +10.5 at Underdog (-118 odds) or +297 on the moneyline, also at Underdog.

FIU vs Western Kentucky, Last Five Matchups

Western Kentucky has an 11-6* lifetime record against FIU, winning the last five matchups dating back to 2019. Of the last nine matchups, only one has been decided by fewer than 13 points (2019).

In their previous matchup, Western Kentucky raced out to a 41-14 lead on the heels of five passing touchdowns and a scoop-and-score. Austin Reed threw for 280 yards and four touchdowns en route to leading the conference in passing yards. On the FIU side, future Georgia Tech receiver Eric Rivers caught a pair of touchdowns.

*FIU vacated its win in 2005, so FIU officially has only five wins over Western Kentucky.