7 p.m. ET | CBS Sports Network | Houchens-Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Odds: Western Kentucky -1.5; total 56.5. Both teams are 3-4 SU, 4-3 ATS and 3-4 O/U. Delaware is 1-2 in Conference USA; WKU is 2-1.
Weather: Approximately 69–70 degrees at kickoff, cooling into the low 60s during the game. Mostly clear, with very light winds.
Last game recap: Delaware defeated Missouri State 61-38 last Tuesday, ending a three-game losing streak. Nick Minicucci returned after missing two games and completed 20 of 29 passes for 225 yards, five touchdowns and one interception, adding a rushing touchdown. Jo Silver rushed for 101 yards and scored both rushing and receiving touchdowns. Delaware produced a season-high 232 rushing yards, forced three turnovers and never punted. The final margin obscures a competitive first half: Missouri State led 28-24 at halftime before Delaware took control.
Western Kentucky had last week off after winning 16-3 at Sam Houston on October 14. The Hilltoppers gained only 276 yards—144 rushing and 132 passing—but held the Bearkats to 177 yards and no touchdowns. WKU enters with 13 days between games, compared with seven for Delaware.
QB matchup:
- Delaware — Nick Minicucci: 79-of-132 passing, 59.8%, 1,063 yards, 10 TDs and four interceptions across five appearances. His return gives Delaware its experienced starter after an unsettled stretch at quarterback.
- Western Kentucky — Brock Glenn: 67-of-128, 52.3%, 663 yards, five TDs and two interceptions. Glenn handled nearly all the passing work in WKU’s last two games. At Sam Houston, he finished 14-of-30 for 127 yards and a touchdown, while adding 54 rushing yards on 22 attempts. Rodney Tisdale Jr. remains another option; his official season line is 79-of-118, 66.9%, 856 yards, four TDs and two interceptions.
Offense/Defense — season averages per game:
Delaware offense: 28.3 points, 381.7 total yards, 268.0 passing and 113.7 rushing.
Delaware defense: 28.4 points allowed, 396.4 total yards, 270.3 passing and 126.1 rushing.
Western Kentucky offense: 21.3 points, 353.0 total yards, 217.4 passing and 135.6 rushing.
Western Kentucky defense: 30.6 points allowed, 375.0 total yards, 190.9 passing and 184.1 rushing.
2025 matchup: WKU won 27-24 at Delaware on October 3. Delaware outgained the Hilltoppers 435-338, and Minicucci threw for 314 yards while scoring three rushing touchdowns. The Blue Hens missed a late field goal that would have tied the game.
Key injuries:
- Delaware: WR Brandon Rehmann is questionable with an undisclosed injury. WR Ty Salazer is out for an extended period, and RB Greg Spiller is out for the season, both with undisclosed injuries. Minicucci returned last week and played extensively.
- Western Kentucky: WRs K. Hutchinson and N. Johnson, plus RBs Adrion Boyd and Sincere Baines, are listed as questionable with undisclosed injuries.
Key Trends: Del is: 1)6-1 Under last 7 after a SU win. 2)1-6 ATS last 7 road games. 3)1-5 ATS last 6 in October. Wky is: 1)7-1 Under last 8 in October. 2)4-0 ATS last 4 home games. 3)7-1 Under last 8 after a SU win.
SAM HOUSTON AT MISSOURI STATE
8 p.m. ET | ESPN2 |n Robert W. Plaster Stadium, Springfield, Missouri
Odds: Missouri State is listed between -6.5, with a total of 49.5. Sam Houston is 1-6 SU, 3-4 ATS and 0-3 in CUSA; Missouri State is 2-5 SU, 3-4 ATS and 1-2 in CUSA.
Weather: Temperatures should fall through the 60s during the game, with light winds around 6–7 mph.
Last game recap: Sam Houston lost 30-24 at home to New Mexico State last Wednesday. The Bearkats managed only 11 rushing yards and nine first downs. Landyn Locke returned after a leg injury and connected with Tim Burns Jr. on an 81-yard touchdown, while a blocked-punt recovery supplied another touchdown. New Mexico State’s James Jones rushed for 178 yards, helping the Aggies control the closing possession.
Missouri State lost 61-38 at Delaware despite Henry Belin IV completing 26 of 35 passes for 337 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Isaiah Myers caught 11 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns. The Bears led at halftime, but turnovers and their inability to stop Delaware’s offense turned the second half into a decisive defeat.
QB matchup:
- Sam Houston — Landyn Locke: 147-of-236, 62.3%, 1,653 yards, 12 TDs and five interceptions. He threw for 235 yards, one touchdown and one interception against New Mexico State. His leg bears watching after last week’s exit and return.
- Missouri State — Henry Belin IV: 73-of-108, 67.6%, 887 yards, six TDs and four interceptions. Belin has thrown for 637 yards and four touchdowns over his last two games, though three interceptions during that stretch have limited the benefit. Skyler Locklear’s season totals are 788 passing yards, four TDs and two interceptions.
Offense/Defense — season averages per game:
Sam Houston offense: 20.1 points, 328.3 total yards, 245.3 passing and 83.0 rushing.
Sam Houston defense: 25.3 points allowed, 341.7 total yards, 141.0 passing and 200.7 rushing.
Missouri State offense: 24.4 points, 367.6 total yards, 240.7 passing and 126.9 rushing.
Missouri State defense: 34.9 points allowed, 438.1 total yards, 253.7 passing and 184.4 rushing.
Key injuries:
- Sam Houston: TE Brock Kuhl is out for the season with an undisclosed injury. TE Max Whisner remains listed as questionable, although the report’s accompanying note still references last week’s game, leaving his Tuesday status unresolved. Locke returned from his leg issue last week, and offensive-line injuries have also affected the running game.
- Missouri State: TE James Rexroat, RB Josh Joyner, RB Dubar and WR Mekhi Miller are listed as questionable with undisclosed injuries. The running-back availability matters against a Sam Houston defense allowing more than 200 rushing yards per game.
Key trends and situations:
SHU is: 1)0-4 ATS last 4 overall. 2)4-1 Over last 4 road games. Mo St is: 1)5-1 Under last 6 in October. 2)4-1 Over last 5 home games. 3)0-4 ATS last 4 overall.
- Sam Houston’s defense allows only 5.3 yards per pass attempt and approximately 30% third-down conversions.
