All season long, oddsmakers have had trouble with the number with Western Kentucky. After a ridiculous 73-0 victory last week against Florida International, the eyes are now on Hilltoppers quarterback Austin Reed. Reed has had no issue transferring in from a Division II school, but there are bumps in the road for every player. Look for Reed to take a step back this week against a Troy defense that was stingy against Marshall.

I am very confident Western Kentucky wins at home but on the fence about covering 5 points, so here we are with the ML. Troy comes off back-to-back very tough games in Sun Belt action against Marshall and App State, while WKU had a breeze last week vs. FIU, and the Tops have swept every two-game homestand they have had since 2019 -- this is the finale of one. WKU always finds stellar QBs, and the latest is West Florida transfer Austin Reed, who is second nationally in points responsible for with 102. WKU has scored 30 points or more in 18 straight games, easily the longest such streak in the country. Just don't think Troy can keep up on that side of the ball but this way don't worry about a backdoor cover.