The New Mexico State Aggies take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in a Conference USA matchup in Week 5. The game kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET on Thursday in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
The Aggies are listed as 2.5-point home favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at O/U 56.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction and best bet for this Week 5 matchup.
New Mexico State vs. Western Kentucky Prediction, Preview
Western Kentucky Preview
It has been a tough start to the season for the Hilltoppers. They played a loaded non-conference schedule, including games against No. 2 Georgia and No. 6 Indiana. They also played a tough road game against Nevada. Western Kentucky finally got a chance to flex its muscles last week against Mercyhurst, winning 52-7. After a brutal first three weeks, that was a great chance for the Hilltoppers to get momentum heading into their Conference USA schedule. Rodney Tisdale Jr. finally showed what he can do this offense, throwing for 309 yards and four touchdowns. This offense should look much more like a Tyson Helton offense now that conference play is underway.
New Mexico State Preview
New Mexico State has not been quite as tested as Western Kentucky, but they have not had an easy non-conference schedule either. The Aggies had road trips to Florida State and Hawaii, as well as hosting their in-state rivals, New Mexico. Fascinatingly, just like Western Kentucky, their lone win of the season came against Mercyhurst. New Mexico State quarterback Trey Hedden was dreadful last week against New Mexico. Adam Damante came in to replace him and played much better than Hedden. Tony Sanchez announced that there is now an open quarterback competition, and we might not know who the starter is right up until game time.
New Mexico State vs. Western Kentucky Pick, Best Bet
These are two hard teams to judge. They were both outclassed in their non-conference schedule, outside of a shared matchup against FCS Mercyhurst. So, you mostly have to go off who these teams were supposed to be this season. Many expected the Hilltoppers to compete for the conference, while New Mexico State was expected to finish in the bottom half of the league. Also, the quarterback situation for New Mexico State is very uncertain. Tyson Helton is a great coach who has made a bowl game in all seven seasons at Western Kentucky. He should get his offense going in this game and roll to a win over the Aggies to kick off conference play.
