The Missouri State Bears (1-3) visit the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (1-4) on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, KY. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET, and the game airs on CBS Sports Network (CBSSN). DraftKings lists the spread at WKU -2.5 with a total of 55.5; moneylines are Missouri State +114 · Western Kentucky -135. Below is our Missouri State vs Western Kentucky preview with the latest odds, point spread, moneyline, over/under, kickoff time, TV channel and where to watch, plus a look at each team’s season so far, head coach and key players. Lines may move before kickoff.
Missouri State vs Western Kentucky Odds, Spread, Kickoff Time & TV
| Matchup detail | Line / info |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Missouri State at Western Kentucky |
| Records | Missouri State 1-3 · Western Kentucky 1-4 |
| Spread | WKU -2.5 |
| Moneyline | Missouri State +114 · Western Kentucky -135 |
| Total | 55.5 |
| Venue | Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, KY |
| Date/Time | Thursday, October 8, 2026 · 7:00 PM ET |
| TV / How to Watch | CBS Sports Network (CBSSN) |
| Head Coaches | Missouri State: HC Casey Woods, OC Mark Cala · Western Kentucky: HC Tyson Helton, OC Joe Bernardi / Bodie Reeder |
Missouri State Preview: Season So Far, Coach & Key Players
Season so far: The Missouri State Bears are 1-3 overall. Results to date: Sep 5 — L 50-0 at Texas A&M; Sep 12 — W 48-14 vs Lindenwood; Sep 19 — L 30-24 vs Marshall; Sep 26 — L 34-24 at SMU. Most recently, Missouri State lost to SMU 34-24 on the road. Through 4 games, Missouri State is averaging 24.0 points scored and 32.0 points allowed per game.
Head coach: Casey Woods (first season in charge). Offensive coordinator: Mark Cala. Defensive coordinator: Jack Curtis.
Key players (2026 season stats):
- Passing leader: Skyler Locklear (QB) — 59/84, 699 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
- Rushing leader: Breezy Dubar (RB) — 37 carries, 194 yards, 2 TD
- Receiving leader: Isaiah Myers (WR) — 17 receptions, 342 yards, 2 TD
- Sacks leader: Josh Lukusa (DE) — 1 sack
- Tackles leader: Jared Lloyd (LB) — 46 total tackles
Strengths: The production of Skyler Locklear (59/84, 699 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT). Questions: A defense giving up 32.0 points per game; the response to a 34-24 loss at SMU.
Western Kentucky Preview: Season So Far, Coach & Key Players
Season so far: The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are 1-4 overall, 0-1 in Conference USA play. Results to date: Sep 5 — L 49-14 at Nevada; Sep 12 — L 70-20 at Georgia; Sep 19 — L 38-0 at Indiana; Sep 26 — W 52-7 vs Mercyhurst; Oct 1 — L 34-13 at New Mexico State. Most recently, Western Kentucky lost to New Mexico State 34-13 on the road. Through 5 games, Western Kentucky is averaging 19.8 points scored and 39.6 points allowed per game.
Head coach: Tyson Helton (head coach since 2019). Offensive coordinators: Joe Bernardi / Bodie Reeder. Defensive coordinator: Davis Merritt.
Key players (2026 season stats):
- Passing leader: Rodney Tisdale Jr. (QB) — 79/118, 852 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
- Rushing leader: Ajay Allen (RB) — 59 carries, 216 yards, 2 TD
- Receiving leader: Jonathan Stafford Jr. (WR) — 30 receptions, 260 yards
- Sacks leader: Latrevion Thompson (DE) — 1 sack
- Tackles leader: Jaylen Lewis (DB) — 39 total tackles
Strengths: The production of Rodney Tisdale Jr. (79/118, 852 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT). Questions: A defense giving up 39.6 points per game; an offense averaging 19.8 points per game; the response to a 34-13 loss at New Mexico State.
How to Watch Missouri State vs Western Kentucky
- Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
- Kickoff: 7:00 PM ET
- Venue: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, KY
- TV / Streaming: CBS Sports Network (CBSSN)
Odds: DraftKings lines reported via ESPN on October 5, 2026. Lines may move before kickoff. Records, results and season stats via ESPN; coaching staffs per 2026 staff listings. This page is an informational matchup preview only.