WKU Football: Gameday Information and Predictions for Week 3 at Ohio State
The Hilltoppers have a chance to shock the college football world on the national stage Saturday.
The Hilltoppers have a chance to shock the world on a national stage Saturday, as they head to The Horseshoe in Ohio’s capital to take on the sixth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.
Game Day Information
Game Date: Saturday, September 16, 2023
Time: 3 PM CT
Location: Ohio Stadium | Columbus, Ohio
TV Channel: FOX
Betting line: Ohio State -29, O/U 64
If history is any indication, this matchup will not go well for the Hilltoppers: Western Kentucky has never beaten a Big Ten program (though they’ve been close: That loss to Indiana last year still stings if you think about it too much) and Ohio State’s last loss to a non-Power team came in 1990 in a bowl game.
What We’ve Published This Week
Miss any of our coverage from this past week in the lead up to kickoff? Fear not, we have you covered.
The Towel Rack Staff Predictions
Fletcher Keel (2-0)
If there were a set of circumstances in which the Hilltoppers could pull the upset over Ohio State, this season is it.
OSU hasn’t been nearly as dominant as you’d expect in their first two wins of the season, they’ve had questions at the quarterback position and have a potential Top 10 matchup next week against Notre Dame.
The recipe is there for the Buckeyes to overlook the Tops and for WKU to make history and get their first ever win over a Big 10 team in program history.
However, what ails the Buckeyes is also somewhat mirrored in the Hilltoppers. Despite wins of 20 and 30 points, there have been stretches where the Tops haven’t looked like the offensive juggernaut they were primed to be. A lot of that is due to injuries in the receiving corps, which has yet to play a full game at 100%.
And don’t even get me started on what we’ve seen from the rush defense after eight quarters.
This is truly one of those games where if you told me any result, I may believe you. I can see - I have to squint, but I can see it - a WKU win by a field goal or touchdown. I can see Ohio State winning from anywhere from 10 to 30 to 40 points in a blowout.
Buckeye fans are itching for an offensive breakout, and I think it may happen at the Hilltoppers’ expense. However, I think the Tops keep it close for a half but, ultimately, can’t hang with a team laden with high-four and five star recruits all over the field.
Give me the Buckeyes, 49-28.
Jared Rosdeutscher (2-0)
The Tops have started 2-0 but face their biggest challenge in the past couple of seasons on the road against the No. 6 Buckeyes. As much as I would love to see a historic WKU upset, the Hilltopper defense has allowed an average of over 450 total yards the first two games.
That’s way too high.
While I think the Topper offense could be competitive, the defense isn’t where it needs to be yet in order to hold back a team like OSU. I’ll take Buckeyes, 52-20.
Matt McCay (2-0)
First of all, I can’t wait to see what happens and wish I could go in person. That being said, who knows what could happen? Ohio State was preseason No. 3 and has dropped to No. 6 without losing a game, which usually doesn’t happen unless the team looks questionable, which they have.
Then again, WKU has looked questionable on both sides of the ball at times, with massive lulls in both games offensively in addition to a run defense that could be described as complete doodoo so far. Western is 130th in the nation stopping the run after two games. That’s not good.
Ohio State has a struggling offense that has not looked great, although they have not looked completely inept, either. I would say the lack of elite offense gives WKU hope, but without a solid defense to count on, I think it’s really hard to see WKU actually winning. Western may score a few touchdowns, but can the defense do enough to make this truly competitive or actually win? I say they can’t at this point in the season. There’s too much to fix defensively. However, I think the Tops take a step in the right direction and do a better job than expected against the Buckeyes. I’ll take Ohio State 37-Western Kentucky 17.
Devin Stewart (2-0)
I truly hate to pick OSU, and I would love to see a WKU upset but I’m not completely sold on the defensive strength the Tops have this early in the season. Plus I had to take the over because “Mad” Matt McCay doesn’t believe OSU can score more than 29.
Check the podcast to see who loses the bet.
OSU thumps Tops, 42-7
Josh Owens (2-0)
The biggest game of the season is upon us. This game will be a measuring stick for the Hilltoppers to determine if they’re a possible NY6 contender or pretender. I think the Tops will make it as competitive as they can early, but talent and depth for the Buckeyes will be too much for them to overcome.
In the end, WKU doesn't need the win. They just need to stay competitive and prove they can hang with the blue bloods. Marvin Harrison, Jr., will haunt Topper defenders’ and fans’ nightmares after leading to a Buckeye doubt-digit win, but closer than the spread.
Ohio State 45, WKU 28
Alex Sherfield (2-0)
For the most challenging game on the schedule for the Hilltoppers, we might have a few chances to pull off the (dare I say it?) upset.
The No. 6 Buckeyes are desperately wanting to improve after tedious games against Indiana & Youngstown State to open their season. Saturday brings the best of both worlds together as it’s slated be closer than most people think. The most important thing I’ll stress is taking care of the football with very little mistakes, including turnovers. Controlling the clock will also be needed to not give Ohio State any chances to make the best of their possessions.
Also, the Tops defense will have their hands full with the Buckeyes offensive line, who will more than likely rely on their running game to throw off defensive packages from Tyson Summers. It’s not gonna be a blowout by all means, but expect a dogfight in the mean time.
Ohio State 38, Western Kentucky 28