Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 2025 College Football Preview
Posted August 6, 2025
2024 Recap
Record – 8-6
ATS – 7-7
The Toppers didn’t have the overwhelming level of talent like they did in many recent seasons but they still found a way to have a good season. After losing to ROLL TIDE by a score of 63-CACK in the opener they won seven of their next eight contests with the only loss coming to Boston College by one point (!) on the road. WKU found their way into the CUSA Championship Game but were obliterated by the JUGGERNAUT known as the 2024 Jacksonville St Gamecocks.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 2025 Outlook
OFFENSE
WKU put up monster offensive numbers in 2021 when they brought QB Bailey Zappe, OC Zach Kittley, and some serious weaponry over from FCS squad Houston Baptist. In 2025, the Toppers will try and rekindle the magic of that 2021 season by featuring a potent connection from….wait for it….a team from the FCS in Abilene Christian. QB Maverick McIvor rolls into town with a proven ability to MATRICULATE the ball down the field (8,012 yards, 63-21 TD to INT, 3Y) and it’s good to know that his OC Rick Bowie is joining him for the ride. Four of the top-five WRs from LY’s squad are gone and the Toppers are relying on the transfer portal BIGLY to restock the cupboard. WKU scooped up a few really good WRs including Western Illinois transfer Matthew Henry (1,000-yard season LY) and Jarius Mack (418 yards, 22.0 YPC LY with Charlotte) but we’ll have to see how quickly the THROW GAME chemistry can develop. The Toppers will focus on moving the ball thru the air but it appears they’ve got a good 1-2 combo at RB in LY’s backup George Hart and Austin Peay transfer La’Vell Wright. Only one starter returns up front and they’ll have to build around their fine left tackle Marshall Jackson.
DEFENSE
The Toppers were an ABOMINATION when it came to stopping the run LY (221 YPG, #131 FBS) and that was a big problem down the stretch and into the bowl game as they allowed an IMPOSSIBLY IMPOSSIBLE 298 YPG on the ground in their final six contests. They were #2 in CUSA in pass defense but a MILQUETOAST #6 in pass efficiency D. The stop unit undergoes a massive overhaul this year with almost every starter departing and there are a ton of new bodies arriving via the transfer portal. Essentially the entire two-deep up front is being replaced thru the portal and that’s probably a good thing. They added a bunch of size in the interior of the DL but we don’t see any proven PENETRATORS at DE. The returning production at LB is sparse to say the least but hopefully guys like JUCO transfer Kennon Loftin and LB/EDGE Dominic Oliver (San Diego St) can become productive pieces. The Toppers look strong on the back end with the return of a pair of starters and the additions of DB Jalen Emery (Houston) and CB Al-Ma’hi Ali (Charlotte).
SPECIAL TEAMS
It’s a major KICK in the JACOBS to lose star PK Lucas Carneiro to Ole Miss (18/19 FG, 6/6 from 50+!) but they bring back punter Cole Maynard who’s one of the best at his position in CUSA. Western Kentucky purchased a decent replacement for Carneiro in PK John Cannon who made 12/16 FG with USF in 2024. It remains to be seen how the KR/PR situation shakes out but WKU has at least a couple of decent options in KD Hutchinson and Jarius Mack.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – There’s only one guaranteed loss in non-conference play (at LSU) but the trip to Toledo and home date with Nevada won’t be walks in the park. The Toppers avoid Liberty (!) in CUSA action and have a BUTTERY SOFT conference slate from September 27th to November 15th. If they can take down Sam Houston (H) in the season opener that’ll set them up very nicely.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing spooky has been identified.
Season Win Total
Market consensus – August 6
Over 7.5 -125
Under 7.5 -105
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
The LSU game goes in the ‘loss’ column, Can they go 8-3 or better in the remaining 11 games? It seems more likely than not.
Note – Our official list of season win total investments will be posted in the blog section of the website.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Head coach Tyson Helton has led the team for six seasons and the only time the Hilltoppers failed to bag at least eight wins under his watch was during the 2020 PLANDEMIC season (5-7).
The next time you rock the TIGHTY WHITIES remember that Fruit of the Loom has their world headquarters in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The underwear titan is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway which is run by prominent LIZARD PERSON, Warren Buffet who’s seated at the right hand of Satan himself, Bill Gates ****.
**** Fact check – Needs verification but it doesn’t seem impossible.
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
You’ve gotta hand it to a program that finds a way to contend every year with loads of players always coming and going. The upside on offense is REAL and it could be SPECTACULAR if everything falls into place. The defense can’t be any worse than what we saw in 2024 and somehow, Coach Helton found a way to lead that team to the CUSA Championship Game. We rate the Toppers a notch below Liberty but give them a great shot to play for the conference crown in December.