Western Kentucky’s 2024 season went almost as well as could’ve been expected – almost.
The Hilltoppers opened the year with a blowout loss at Alabama but then rattled off three straight wins before a one-point loss at Boston College. WKU then earned four more wins over Conference USA opponents. Losses against Louisiana Tech and Liberty did set the team back, but a win over Jacksonville State in the regular season finale put the Hilltoppers in the CUSA Championship.
But WKU didn’t win the rematch with Jax State in the title game and ended the year with a 10-point loss against James Madison in the Boca Raton Bowl.
However, there’s reason to believe WKU will compete for a CUSA Championship again in 2025.
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Western Kentucky’s Conference USA Title Betting Odds
Western Kentucky’s odds to win Conference USA are +350, via BetMGM. WKU’s odds of making the CUSA title game are +150.
The Hilltoppers’ betting odds of making the College Football Playoff are +3000.
Western Kentucky Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
WKU’s win total Over/Under is 7.5, with Under 7.5 at +100 and Over 7.5 at -120.
Western Kentucky Football’s 2025 Schedule
Aug. 23 vs. Sam Houston
Aug. 30 vs. North Alabama
Sept. 6 @ Toledo
Sept. 20 vs. Nevada
Sept. 27 @ Missouri State
Oct. 3 @ Delaware
Oct. 14 vs. FIU
Oct. 21 @ Louisiana Tech
Nov. 1 vs. New Mexico State
Nov. 15 vs. Middle Tennessee
Nov. 22 @ LSU
Nov. 29 @ Jacksonville State
Dec. 5 Conference USA Championship
Bold indicates CUSA contests
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Key Western Kentucky Football Returners
2024 All-Conference USA 2nd Team
OL Marshall Jackson
LS Rex Robich
Western Kentucky Football Is A Conference USA Championship Contender
Western Kentucky should be one of the top teams in Conference USA again. But the Hilltoppers will have to adjust without some of their best players from a year ago.
WKU’s primary quarterback and top producers on offense are gone. Caden Veltkamp threw for 3,108 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions on a 66.3% completion rate and ran for 150 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns. Elijah Young led the team with 883 yards and three touchdowns rushing to go with 384 yards and two touchdowns on 47 catches. Kisean Johnson (75 catches for 925 yards and seven touchdowns), Easton Messer (55 catches for 793 yards and four touchdowns), and Dalvin Smith (31 catches for 406 yards and four scores) were WKU’s primary pass catchers. All those players are no longer on the team.
But the Hilltoppers have the top-ranked transfer class this year, according to 247Sports, and one of their transfers may end up being the 2025 starting quarterback.
Maverick McIvor joined the team as a graduate student after previously playing at Abilene Christian and Texas Tech. In three years at Abilene Christian, he threw for 8,012 yards, 63 touchdowns, and 21 picks. His final season there, he threw for 3,828 yards, 30 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while leading his team to a United Athletic Conference title and an appearance in the FCS playoffs.
Caleb McMickle, a transfer from Houston, could be in the mix at quarterback as well.
As for returners, George Hart III is back after ranking second on the team with 206 rushing yards while scoring two touchdowns on the ground. KD Hutchinson is the team’s leading returning receiver as he totaled 383 yards and three touchdowns on 25 receptions a year ago. Marshall Jackson is the team’s lone returner who was a primary starter on the offensive line after making the All-CUSA second team.
On defense, none of the top 12 tacklers for Western Kentucky are back this season. But WKU’s secondary is fairly experienced. Defensive back Demarko Williams returns after tallying 37 tackles, 1.5 for loss, with two interceptions and a pass breakup. Kent Robinson, another DB, is also back after recording 33 tackles, four for loss, as well as two sacks, four pass breakups, an interception, and a fumble recovery.
Longsnapper Rex Robich is WKU’s other returner who earned all-conference accolades last season, as he made the All-CUSA second team.
Western Kentucky Football Season Prediction
I predict Western Kentucky will win Conference USA and will go Over 7.5 wins.
After playing well enough to appear in bowl games but not well enough to win the CUSA title the last couple years, I think this will be the Hilltoppers’ year in 2025.
The game that will set the tone for WKU will be against Sam Houston at home in Week 0. Sam Houston went through a coaching change, but the Bearkats were one of the top CUSA programs in 2024. WKU will absolutely want a win if it intends on being in a position to make it to a league championship by the end of the season.
But I think WKU wins and will also be victorious against North Alabama a week later. Matchups at Toledo and LSU as well as its game against Nevada will be tough. However, the Hilltoppers should be favored in every other game during the regular season, in my opinion.
In fact, it’s easily conceivable that WKU is undefeated in conference play going into December. Sam Houston to start the year, as well as a matchup at Jacksonville State to end the regular season, will be challenging.
But I expect WKU will be triumphant in those matchups and will ultimately win the CUSA Championship.
