Predictions: 100 Miles of Hate Renews at MTSU
Roundtable: We ask our staff for their call on the score and answer this question: "Is MTSU WKU's biggest rival? If not, who is?"
If you have a pulse and you’re a real WKU fan, it’s time to care and pay attention. WKU plays MTSU, the only current conference mate with a deep head-to-head history in all sports.
On top of the 100 Miles of Hate rivalry, it’s the opening game of Conference USA, and both programs have rising expectations. MTSU finally fired Rick Stockstill, who had his program living up to his last name for a decade and a half.
If WKU isn’t MTSU’s biggest rival, who is? If MTSU isn’t WKU’s biggest rival, the Blue Raiders are absolutely in every knowledgeable, up-to-date person’s…let’s say top five? They can’t be lower than that on anyone’s list.
A top five in no particular order has to be MTSU, EKU, Murray, Marshall, and Liberty. Is that a good top five? Let us know if you disagree.
But we asked our staff to give our score predictions, but also, we ask,
“Is MTSU WKU’s biggest rival? If not, who is?”
Staff Predictions and Thoughts on MTSU
Matt McCay (2-0)
Not much fires me up anymore than a battle with MTSU. I think the only thing that gets me going any more sports wise is a game that means something at the end of the regular season or something in the postseason. In whatever sport, I just like to see Middle lose. There are significant memories against MTSU, from Elgrace Wilborn dunking from a foot inside the free throw line, to the 12-year-old baseball team turning around and flipping us off, to Bobby Rainey winning in overtime, to Ray Harper during the “25 Days of Triumph”, to watching MTSU fans unfurl a blue tarp with “Stand up and Cheer for Dear Old Western” over the top of their own fans. In my mind, there’s no question MTSU is the rival I care about the most. I think Liberty could become that number one, but for all of my WKU memories, Middle is the team I hate the most.
For this game, I see a game WKU should win. However, I’m a bit concerned. Derek Mason is not a complete idiot. He knows what he’s doing defensively, and in listening to WKU Defensive Coordinator Tyson Summers, the MTSU offense has some nice pieces at all levels. I think MTSU is going to start clicking into place a little bit, but I think WKU is very fortunate to have Middle very early in the year this year. I believe the Tops will improve significantly, and I think that will overcome whatever improvement MTSU makes. I liked the fact that when the Tops beat EKU, they answered a lot of the big questions that came from the Alabama game. The only thing left to fix is the red zone offense. If WKU can convert when they have chances, they should win by a few scores.
Give me Western Kentucky 38-Middle Tennessee 21.
Fletcher Keel (0-0 but Stayed at a Holiday Inn Express Last Night)
You could not have had two more different of weeks to start the season if you’re Western Kentucky, which was honestly my biggest fear entering the season.
On the one hand, how much can you really take out of playing (and getting gobsmacked) by the No. 5 team in the country? The Hilltoppers definitely showed they have a functional offense, moving the ball on the Tide early, but were unable to find the end zone.
It was a bit of a struggle to find the end zone against EKU, too, at least in the early going, but the Tops found something of a groove as they wore the Colonels down and avoided a complete disaster of a start.
Enter: MTSU, the Hilltoppers’ biggest current rival (still waiting on that football series, Herd) and, what I would call, their first true test of what kind of team we have on our hands.
MTSU’s season has started similarly to the Hilltoppers’ - They won a game against their FCS opponent but got mollywhopped at a Top 10 SEC opponent.
Where we can find some separation is how each team handled their FCS competition: The Tops might not have blown the doors off of EKU, but a 30-point win is handling business as you should.
Meanwhile, the Raiders struggled against Tennessee Tech, the team picked to finish third-to-last in the OVC, as MTSU was outscored 20-11 in the second half of a game that was far from decided.
While many still cried for Caden Veltkamp to enter the game against EKU, TJ Finley started to look like he was feeling more comfortable in WKU’s offense, and I expect him to take another step further this week.
I also expect to learn a lot about the Hilltopper defense, especially in the run game (coming into Saturday, the Raiders are averaging just 72 yards per game rushing).
As much as I’d like this to be a blowout, it probably won’t. But I do feel confident the Hilltoppers will move to 1-0 in league play, with a 31-21 win to extend their winning streak in the series to six games.
Alex Sherfield (2-0)
After last week’s victory over EKU, the Tops are looking ahead to the latest installment of The 100 Miles of Hate. Even though the game occurs in early September this season, there’s no better way to open up conference play than with a historic rivalry.
The Blue Raiders are having a start that’s somewhat similar to ours. After grinding out a close win with Tennessee Tech & getting walloped last week at Ole Miss, they want a sizable win to keep their confidence high going into the CUSA slate. Aside from a few adjustments for the position groups and a more experienced Hilltopper defense, it will still make the matchup favorable on both ends. MTSU has a decent home record dating back to last season and it will be used to their advantage. However, with Saturday’s weather conditions in Murfreesboro not looking so promising, it’s going to be another tough road game.
I have a great deal of confidence leading into kickoff that things will trend toward us getting the victory. A quick offensive start should motivate the Tops to take care of business & generate some momentum going forward this season.
Western Kentucky 34, Middle Tennessee 21
Devin Stewart (2-0)
Tops on Top, baby.
WKU 28-MTSU 21
Jacob Gary (2-0)
100 Miles of Hate is upon us once again, and for the third straight year, I think the Tops will be coming home with a W. I don’t see too much to go off of in both teams’ bouts with the SEC schools. But MTSU struggled with FCS Tennessee Tech while WKU shut out their in-state opponent. It’ll most likely come down to which QB can find their stride first. I think the Tops’ defense gives them an edge in this one.
WKU 27-MTSU 14
David McCay (2-0)
From one old rival to another. I love that Western is doing this in football and basketball this year. But MTSU has a special place in the bottom of my stomach. A place where when I hear we are playing them that I get both excited, but nauseated at the same time. With this rivalry, we never know what will happen, no matter how good or bad the teams are. Western leads this series 37-35-1. So if you want a true tossup your cookies rivalry, The 100 Miles of Hate is one.
WKU must play good defense and the offensive plays need to be more inventive. Vegas thinks this one is a tossup -7.5 for WKU with over under at 54.5. I agree (that WKU should be favored) and hope Western gets this done 34-24. The first one to 30 will win this one.
Bret Combest (2-0)
Editor’s Note: Bret submitted a late prediction of 31-7 WKU against EKU. Heck of a prediction, but it didn’t make the article in time for publishing.
After being down two touchdowns at half, WKU puts in the backup QB (Caden Veltkamp) after the first half and he goes crazy and saves the game for (the Tops).
WKU 31-MTSU 24
Conclusion
For one more week, the staff predicts a WKU win. We’re either all delusional or all know what we’re talking about. Or we just can’t bring ourselves to pick a loss at Middle.
However, finally we have something besides an over-optimistic pick at Alabama and a blowout prediction vs EKU. Bret Combest has come in the clutch with a very specific, juicy pick that would get the natives talking. Bret says local star and bowl game hero Caden Veltkamp will come in and save the day. That’s juicy, Bret, and we tip our cap to you for stirring the pot, brother.
No matter what happens Saturday, we will know something more about WKU’s hopes for a conference championship appearance. Either the Tops will announce MTSU as a likely pretender, or they will struggle (and possibly lose) and allow MTSU hope and dig themselves a hole.
Speaking of the combination of the words “a” and “hole” consecutively, Middle Tennessee. We hate ‘em (please everyone calm down and don’t get too offended) and we don’t mind saying it (although ridiculous modern norms require us to apologize for everything).
It should be a good one, and all of these predictions may be rendered moot if this thing is played in the middle of a tropical storm. Editor’s note: At the time most of us submitted these predictions, it was relatively unknown if there would be any inclement weather.
It’s a rivalry game, and more is unknown about MTSU and WKU than it has been in quite a while when these two meet. It could be a routine win (most likely by WKU), or it could be an instant classic.
Who knows in 100 Miles of Hate? Tune in to The Towel Rack for pregame info, live tweets, and postgame reaction on all of our platforms.
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