Missouri State Bears Face Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in Conference USA Opener

The Missouri State Bears are set to begin their Conference USA season against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Thursday night, airing on CBS Sports Network. Missouri State enters the game following a 34-24 defeat to SMU, while Western Kentucky is coming off a 34-13 loss to New Mexico State.

Currently, Missouri State holds a record of 1-3 and has lost two consecutive games, struggling with an 0-2 record on the road this season. In contrast, Western Kentucky, with a record of 1-4, has been outscored 198-99 this year but remains undefeated at home in 2026. The Hilltoppers lead the all-time series against the Bears with a 9-2 record, including nine straight victories.

Kicking off at 7 p.m. ET at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Western Kentucky is favored by 2.5 points, with an over/under set at 56.5. SportsLine's model predicts a total of 61 points for the game, suggesting a strong likelihood for the Over based on past performances.