The Florida International Panthers take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Western Kentucky is favored by 9.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -350. FIU, meanwhile, comes in as a +9.5 underdog and sits at +280 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 56 points.
Here’s my FIU vs. Western Kentucky prediction and college football picks for Tuesday, October 14.
FIU vs Western Kentucky Prediction
- FIU vs. Western Kentucky Pick: FIU +10
My Western Kentucky vs. FIU best bet is on the Panthers to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
FIU vs Western Kentucky Odds
| FIU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -110 | 56 -110o / -110u | +280 |
| Western Kentucky Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -110 | 56 -110o / -110u | -350 |
- FIU vs Western Kentucky Spread: Western Kentucky -9.5, FIU +9.5
- FIU vs Western Kentucky Over/Under: 57 Points
- FIU vs Western Kentucky Moneyline: FIU +280, Western Kentucky -350
FIU vs Western Kentucky College Football Betting Preview
Florida International Panthers Betting Preview: Need to Pound the Rock
Florida International has been stuck in a rut the last several weeks, having not won a game since defeating FAU in the Shula Bowl in mid-September.
The offensive execution has been to blame, as seven turnovers and poor red-zone play have put the Panthers up against it in losses against Delaware and UConn.
FIU quarterback Keyone Jenkins has been turnover-prone with five interceptions over the last two weeks.
Jenkins has also been tasked with doing more himself due to the Panthers' sputtering run game. FIU has to get back to running the football more effectively and lean on Kejon Owens to set this offense up for favorable downs and distances.
Defensively, the Panthers have really struggled in their last two against two really good offensive teams. Turnovers put the FIU defense in bad spots against UConn, and the stop unit gave up way too many explosive plays.
The pass defense against UConn struggled with multiple starters out due to injury. The secondary is the strength of this defense, and both Brian Blades II and Shamir Sterlin are listed in the starting defense on this week’s depth chart.
We should see a little more formidable pass defense on Tuesday night.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Preview: Toppers Bottoming Out
Western Kentucky had its high-flying offense humming the first couple of weeks of the season, but it has since stalled out in recent weeks.
This is surprising given the level of competition faced, but we've seen the passing numbers drop significantly.
During the first three weeks of the season, quarterback Maverick McIvor threw for 358 yards per game with 11 passing touchdowns. The last three? He has 254 yards per game with two total passing touchdowns.
Wide receiver Matthew Henry is starting to get more involved in the pass game, but the explosive plays haven’t been there, nor has the production from the supporting cast.
That has caused WKU to rely more on the rushing attack, as the Toppers have run the ball 56% of the time the last three weeks. This will be a fascinating matchup between the Western Kentucky receiving corps and FIU's secondary.
Defensively, WKU has been impressive in limiting the production of its last three opponents. However, the glaring weakness continues to be defending the run.
The Tops are giving up nearly 196 yards per game and 5.4 yards per rush this season while ranking 123rd nationally in Rush Explosiveness allowed.
FIU can run it here and should have success sustaining drives on the ground.
FIU vs Western Kentucky Pick, Betting Analysis
We saw major steam early in the week on WKU. This line opened -7 and has been bet up to -10. I'm grabbing the underdog in this weekday conference matchup.
FIU has been disappointing, but its defense was decimated by injuries in the secondary and at linebacker. Many of those frequently found on the injured list have come off and are scheduled to play Tuesday night.
The Panthers' secondary can be very stout when healthy.
Blades is a guy who can shut down opposing receivers, and FIU has a pass rush that can put some pressure on McIvor and make him uncomfortable in the pocket.
When FIU has the ball, it should look to get the run game going with Owens against a WKU defensive front that has given up a ton of explosive plays and ranks just 103rd nationally in Defensive EPA Per Play.
Jenkins hasn’t used his legs much this season, but he should be able to break down this defense and pick up key first downs on the ground.
Jenkins and starting center Julius Pierce both left the UConn game early with injury, but are both a full go and should really help the offensive production.
Western Kentucky grades out as the second-worst tackling team in CUSA. Owens has forced 23 missed tackles, and half of his rushing production comes after first contact.
I think FIU will be able to possess the ball, keep the WKU offense on the sidelines, and keep this game tight into the late stages. This Panthers' secondary will limit the Tops' passing attack, and this game will be close late — just like the last three WKU games have been.
Grab those points.
Pick: FIU +10
