Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky meet in CUSA action

Western Kentucky (3-5) at Middle Tennessee (4-4), Nov. 7 at 3:30 p.m. EST.

Opening Line: Middle Tennessee by 1.5. Against the spread: Middle Tennessee 5-3, Western Kentucky 4-4.

How to watch: ESPN+

Key stats

Middle Tennessee Offense

Overall: 344.6 yards per game (107th in FBS)

Passing: 198.4 yards per game (101st)

Rushing: 146.3 yards per game (87th)

Scoring: 23.9 points per game (95th)

Middle Tennessee Defense

Overall: 394.9 yards per game (107th in FBS)

Passing: 210.5 yards per game (69th)

Rushing: 184.4 yards per game (116th)

Scoring: 29.6 points per game (110th)

Western Kentucky Offense

Overall: 369 yards per game (81st in FBS)

Passing: 221.8 yards per game (78th)

Rushing: 147.3 yards per game (82nd)

Scoring: 21.3 points per game (114th)

Western Kentucky Defense

Overall: 389.9 yards per game (101st in FBS)

Passing: 218.8 yards per game (82nd)

Rushing: 171.1 yards per game (105th)

Scoring: 31.1 points per game (119th)

Middle Tennessee ranks 128th in third down percentage, converting 31.6% of the time. Western Kentucky ranks 34th on defense, allowing its opponents to convert at 33.7%.

Western Kentucky is 105th in the FBS with a -4 turnover margin, compared to Middle Tennessee's 22nd-ranked +5 margin.

Western Kentucky is 14th in the FBS averaging 40.8 penalty yards per game.

Both teams have weak red zone defenses. Western Kentucky is 130th in FBS, allowing opponents to score on 95.8% of trips. Middle Tennessee's red zone defense ranks 121st, with opponents scoring on 92.6% of red zone trips.

Team leaders

Middle Tennessee

Passing: Roman Gagliano, 1,587 yards, 12 TDs, 4 INTs, 57.0 completion percentage

Rushing: Antonio Martin, 586 yards on 112 carries, 2 TDs

Receiving: Cam'ron Lacy, 510 yards on 45 catches, 4 TDs

Western Kentucky

Passing: Brock Glenn, 887 yards, 6 TDs, 4 INTs, 55.8 completion percentage

Rushing: Glenn, 451 yards on 91 carries, 5 TDs

Receiving: Jonathan Stafford Jr., 439 yards on 46 catches, 1 TD

Last game

Middle Tennessee fell 44-28 to Kennesaw State on Oct. 28. Gagliano threw for 183 yards on 21-of-43 attempts (48.8%) with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He also carried the ball 15 times for 47 yards and one rushing touchdown. Martin carried the ball 18 times for 106 yards and scored one touchdown. Lacy had four receptions for 73 yards.

Western Kentucky fell 35-21 to Delaware on Oct. 27. Glenn led Western Kentucky with 224 yards on 25-of-37 passing (67.6%) for one touchdown and two interceptions. He also carried the ball 17 times for 129 yards. Ajay Allen carried the ball 12 times for 73 yards and scored one touchdown, adding two receptions for seven yards. Moussa Barry recorded 80 yards on four catches.

Next game

Middle Tennessee plays at Liberty on Nov. 14. Western Kentucky hosts Jacksonville State on Nov. 14.