Not that QB Hank Bachmeier has torn it up since bringing high hopes to Tech while transferring from Boise State, but the Bulldogs are better with him in the huddle. Indications are that he will dress but not start, which suggests he will dirty his uniform only if starter Jack Turner is injured. Draw a line through the Ohio State debacle, and Western owns three wins plus a credible three-point loss to Troy. Tech's strength statistically is pass defense but it has not coped with an aerial attack that the Hilltoppers will throw at the visitors.

Half unit as I think this game either has 70-plus points scored or no more than 50ish (27-24?) and no middle ground. LT's offense has not been sharp in back-to-back weeks with backup QB Jack Turner in there and he'll start again. WKU has one of the nation's most prolific QBs in Austin Reed but that unit is not humming nearly like it was in 2022 under-then OC Ben Arbuckle, who left for Washington State. The Bulldogs rank No. 6 nationally against the pass. If this gets to +7, which I doubt, I may also play a bit on LT.

Louisiana Tech+6 - My model has Western Kentucky by 1.5 points. I like the improvement I've seen from Louisiana Tech from 2nd year head coach Sonny Cumbie. Tech QB Hank Bachmeier should return for the Bulldogs which drops my line to Pick. If not backup Jack Turner has a good understanding of the offense. Tech has covered the spread in three of their last four games.