Weekday CUSA football returns in Week 9 with one of the most intriguing matchups on the slate, Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech. Both teams enter this showdown seeking to rebound from recent setbacks and maintain their title hopes in the conference race.
Our Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech prediction contains the latest game details, head-to-head history, exclusive PFSN player and team grades, and concludes with a score forecast for this exciting Tuesday night clash from Joe Aillet Stadium.
Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech Details
- Date:Â Tuesday, October 21, 2025
- Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Joe Aillet Stadium | Ruston, LA
- Predicted weather at kick: Clear, mid 60s temperature, slight wind
- How to watch: CBSSN
Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech Head-to-Head Record
These programs have developed a close and competitive rivalry in recent seasons as Conference USA opponents. Over the past two years, each side has earned a victory, with both matchups decided by single digits.
Western Kentucky claimed a seven-point win in 2023, while Louisiana Tech responded last season with a five-point triumph of its own. The results underscore just how evenly matched these teams have been heading into another chapter of the Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech series this fall.
Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech Grades
- WKU: 70.5 (C-)
- Louisiana Tech: 64.2 (D)
- WKU: 74.2 (C)
- Louisiana Tech: 77.4 (C+)
- WKU: 65.6 (D)
- Louisiana Tech: 51.3 (F)
- Maverick McIvor, WKU: 72.3 (C-)
- Trey Kukuk, Louisiana Tech: 65.3 (D)
- La’Vell Wright, WKU: 66.5 (D)
- Clay Thevenin, Louisiana Tech: 65.7 (D)
- K.D. Hutchinson, WKU: 76.8 (C)
- Marques Singleton Jr., Louisiana Tech: 69.8 (D+)
- Noah Meyers, WKU: 72.9 (C-)
- Eli Finley, Louisiana Tech: 78.7 (C+)
- Harper Holloman, WKU: 74.2 (C)
- Donovan Rieman, Louisiana Tech: 65.1 (D)
- Mackavelli Malotumau, WKU: 76.0 (C)
- Zion Nason, Louisiana Tech: 69.6 (D+)
- Anthony Brackenridge, WKU: 59.1 (F)
- Mekhi Mason, Louisiana Tech: 73.9 (C)
- Nazir Ward, WKU: 74.6 (C)
- Jhamal Shelby Jr., Louisiana Tech: 84 (B)
- Jaylen Lewis, WKU: 72.3
- Jakari Foster, Louisiana Tech: 88.1 (B+)
Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana Tech Prediction
I’m not sold on WKU as a CUSA contender, despite their 3-1 record. The Hilltoppers have been extremely fortunate in some games, and even though they sit at 5-2 on the season, they could easily be 3-4 if just a few plays had gone the other way.
WKU was blown out by Toledo, which has since lost to Western Michigan and Bowling Green’s backup quarterback. WKU was also outgained in total yards by a very bad Nevada team and trailed entering the fourth quarter, but it ultimately came back for a win, thanks in part to three Nevada turnovers.
Missouri State was giving the Hilltoppers all they could handle and took a 17-10 third-quarter lead before their starting QB, Jacob Clark, went out with an injury. Naturally, WKU returned (again) to steal a five-point win after going up against a backup QB for the entire second half.
It was a miracle that they beat Delaware, the best team on the field; Delaware outgained WKU by 97 total yards! The three biggest plays of the game all favored WKU. Delaware threw a pick-six and then fumbled, which set up a short-field WKU touchdown. To top it off, the Blue Hens missed a game-tying field goal.
Western Kentucky has shown signs of weakness on offense when playing top-tier CUSA teams, which is usually its strength. Starting slow on offense has been an issue in the recent two games against Delaware and FIU. The Hilltoppers combined for 16 first-half points in those games, and in their last five games, they are averaging only seven points in first halves.
That’s not ideal since they will now face Louisiana Tech, which grades out as the second-best defense in the conference according to our PFSN Grades. The Bulldogs’ defense can succeed similarly to what we saw last week when a now healthy FIU defense totally stifled the WKU offense.
Expect WKU to have trouble moving the ball on early downs, leading to third and long. This Louisiana Tech defense has been one of the best in the nation at stuffing opponents on first and second downs. And it doesn’t help WKU that Louisiana Tech should be fully focused and prepared after getting embarrassed by Kennesaw State and then having a Bye week with extra time to prepare.
Louisiana Tech has some quarterback uncertainty, but they have had no issue playing three different quarterbacks in games this season. Look out for Trey Kukuk, who has a dual-threat ability, which can add another wrinkle that WKU must prepare for.
A key part of the handicap here is that WKU grades well at defending the pass but struggles to stop the run. Louisiana Tech usually plays a very run-heavy style of offense, which should lead to some success moving the ball. It could be a similar story to last week when FIU running back Kejon Owens ran for almost 200 yards on WKU.
The Hilltoppers’ best chance in this game is to likely load the box to stop the run and force Louisiana Tech to beat them in the air, which the Bulldogs have really struggled with this season.
I think WKU is being overvalued because of their exemplary record, when in reality, they’ve been quite lucky. I trust the Louisiana Tech defense, which is the best unit in this game. And despite their troubles offensively, they should be able to find enough success on the ground to put up points.
Louisiana Tech has had no issue scoring against weaker defenses, as they’ll see from WKU on Tuesday. Behind their defense, Louisiana Tech pulls this out at home and remains a contender for the CUSA Championship.
Prediction: Louisiana Tech 27, Western Kentucky 16
