Sam Houston vs. Western Kentucky Early Odds, Picks & Prediction for Week 0: Aug. 23

Saturday grants us an intriguing Conference USA matchup as Sam Houston visits Western Kentucky. My Sam Houston vs. Western Kentucky early odds and picks will have you all set ahead of kickoff from Houchen Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Ky., at 7 p.m. ET (CBSSN).

As part of our College Football Week 0 predictions, I break down the CUSA opener, which will see Sam Houston look to avenge last season's loss. That might be a tough ask for the Bearkats, as the Hilltoppers are 10.5-point betting favorites with the total sitting at 61.5 across our best sports betting sites.

📈 Sam Houston vs. Western Kentucky early odds

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Sam Houston vs. Western Kentucky opening odds

• Moneyline: Western Kentucky -330 / Sam Houston +260
• Spread: Western Kentucky -9.5 (-110) / Sam Houston +9.5 (-110)
• Over/Under: Over 61.5 (-110) / Under 61.5 (-110)

Sam Houston vs. Western Kentucky odds analysis

The Hilltoppers opened as 9.5-point favorites, and the spread has grown as kickoff approaches. This surprises me a bit, as one of the few known entities entering this game is Bearkats starting quarterback Hunter Watson. Our Rob paul breaks down his favorite side of the spread in his college football Week 0 ATS picks.  

Watson went 6-of-9 passing for 128 yards and two touchdowns against the Hilltoppers last season before leaving the game in the second quarter with an injury. Bettors don’t seem to care about this, and I expect the spread to keep growing in favor of the more public team. If you can get the Bearkats at +10.5, you have to take it.

💰 Best Sam Houston vs. Western Kentucky early prediction: Week 0

🔎 College football picks made Monday; odds subject to change. Our NEW college football player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

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✅ Prediction: Sam Houston +10 ⭐⭐⭐

📊 Best odds: -110 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 52.38%

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When making the best Sam Houston vs. Western Kentucky early predictions, you have to look at what each team returns. Sixteen of the Hilltoppers’ 22 offensive and defensive starters are transfers making team debuts on Saturday. Even if all of these players are great, there’s going to be a learning curve, as the entire offensive line gets used to playing together in front of a brand-new quarterback and running back duo.

Meanwhile, things are not nearly as different for the Bearkats. Eight of their 11 offensive starters were with the program last season, and running back Elijah Green is a welcome addition from Indiana. Defensively, the Bearkats got a makeover, with eight of 11 starters transferring from other programs. This could be a problem, but I expect mistakes from the Hilltoppers’ offense to offset any errors from the Bearkats’ defense. 

Most of the best sports betting apps have this spread set at 10 points, and the public has been backing the Hilltoppers since the line for the game was announced. I’d happily take the Bearkats getting 10, but if you want to buy the extra half-point for safety, that wouldn’t be a bad idea.

🚑 Sam Houston vs. Western Kentucky injuries to watch

📈 Sam Houston vs. Western Kentucky betting insights

Here are some betting insights from our best sports betting sites on Thursday morning

• The spread has pushed to Western Kentucky -10.5 after opening at -8.5
• Western Kentucky opened as a -350 moneyline betting favorite, but the best number remaining is -390
• The total opened at 61.5 but had been bet down to 59.5 between returning to the original number

📺 How to watch Sam Houston vs. Western Kentucky

• When: Saturday, Aug. 23
• Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
• Where: Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium (Bowling Green, Ky.)
• How to watch: CBSSN
• Weather: 87 degrees, 15% chance of precipitation, wind 5 mph NW
• Favorite: Western Kentucky (-375 via BetMGM)

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