Kentucky
FIU vs Western Kentucky Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight — College Football Week 8
Yonke’s prediction: Even if the Hilltoppers are expected to win, be wary of them covering this 7.5-point spread.
Photo By – Imagn Images. Florida International Panthers running back Kejon Owens (5) breaks a tackle.
Week 8 kicks off tonight as the Florida International Panthers look for their first league win against a tough Western Kentucky Hilltoppers team.
The Panthers hope to lean on their ground game in what’s an advantageous matchup on paper, hoping to keep things within striking distance.
See why I fancy the underdog with my Florida International vs. Western Kentucky predictions and college football picks for Tuesday, October 14.
Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, with the game airing on ESPNU.
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FIU vs Western Kentucky prediction
FIU vs Western Kentucky best bet: FIU +7.5 (-108)
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have been the better team this season, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to win by more than 7.5 points on Tuesday night. The records indicate that — WKU is 5-1, whereas the Florida International Panthers are 2-3 — and so does the spread.
Still, WKU hasn’t dominated teams. The Hilltoppers have won their last two games by an average of 4.0 points. They did beat a terrible Nevada team by 15 points, but were blown out 21-45 by Toledo before that.
WKU has one of the best passing attacks in the Group of Five, led by quarterback Maverick McIvor (284 passing ypg). FIU’s defensive strength lies in its secondary, which held each of its first four opponents to below 6.8 yards per pass attempt.
The lone demerit on the schedule was a big one, when UConn threw for 377 yards and four scores, but the Panthers were without two starters (Brian Blades II and Shamir Sterlin), who are expected back in Week 8.
FIU runs the ball well (48th in EPA per rush, 11th in rushing explosiveness) and should exploit a porous WKU rush defense (123rd in PFF’s rush defense grade, 124th in tackling).
FIU vs Western Kentucky same-game parlay
Matthew Henry is WKU’s go-to receiver, leading all pass catchers in snaps played, targets (34), and receiving yards (377). He’s recorded 172 receiving yards over his last two games and will be relied upon to lead the charge again in Week 8.
FIU should be able to find success on the ground against a WKU defense that has already surrendered 1,175 rushing yards, and the Panthers aren’t exactly trustworthy on defense lately after surrendering 37.8 ppg in their last four contests.
FIU vs Western Kentucky SGP
- FIU +7.5
- Over 57.5
- Matthew Henry Over 63.5 receiving yards
Our deep-ball SGP: Panthers pounce!
FIU’s best chance is to establish the running game early, keeping things close in the first half.
WKU has the best passing attack in CUSA and should have more successful days than not in conference play, especially when playing at home against a reeling FIU defense.
FIU vs Western Kentucky SGP
- FIU +7.5
- Over 57.5
- Matthew Henry Over 63.5 receiving yards
- Macerick McIvor Over 290.5 passing yards
- FIU first half +6.5
- FIU second quarter +2.5
FIU vs Western Kentucky game predictions
FIU vs Western Kentucky moneyline prediction
Western Kentucky will move to 6-1 on the season with a victory at home against an FIU team program that’s dropped 10 consecutive road games.
FIU vs Western Kentucky spread prediction
FIU will cover the spread thanks to the favorable schematic advantages, leaning on a strong running game and a defense that’s better than it has shown lately, ranking 45th in success rate.
FIU vs Western Kentucky Over/Under prediction
This game will go Over the total as FIU’s rushing attack and WKU’s passing attack both find success.
FIU vs Western Kentucky odds
- Spread: FIU +7.5 | Western Kentucky -7.5
- Moneyline: FIU +250 | Western Kentucky -310
- Over/Under: Over 57.5 | Under 57.5
FIU vs Western Kentucky trend to know
FIU is 5-1 ATS in its last six games as an underdog. Find more college football betting trends for FIU vs Western Kentucky.
How to watch FIU vs Western Kentucky
| Location | Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, KY |
| Date | Tuesday, October 14, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPNU |
FIU vs Western Kentucky latest injuries
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Kentucky Lottery Cash Ball, Pick 3 Evening winning numbers for June 25, 2026
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Hoping to win the Powerball jackpot? Here are 13 things more likely to happen than becoming an instant millionaire.
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Thursday, June 25, 2026 winning numbers for each game.
Cash Ball
02-08-24-32, Cash Ball: 09
Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Evening: 6-3-0
Midday: 9-6-0
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Pick 4
Evening: 5-7-6-0
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03-13-14-34-45, Bonus: 01
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Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Courier Journal digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
Kentucky
Takeaways from Kentucky’s home and away SEC schedule for next season
On Thursday, Kentucky’s home and away SEC opponents for the 2026-27 season were revealed and on top of learning the three opponents who they will play twice, there are some very intriguing matchups. In conference play, Kentucky will face six teams who are among the top 25 in many preseason rankings.
In SEC play, Kentucky will play Tennessee, Vandy and Ole Miss all both home and away. The home matchups include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vandy. As for the road tilts, the Wildcats will face Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Vandy. Let’s take a look at some interesting developments from the schedule release.
John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena (again)
In Calipari’s first year with Arkansas, he got the best of Kentucky when he came into Rupp Arena and left with a 10-point victory, a game where you could really feel the tension all game long in the building from Kentucky fans, which translated onto the court with the players. Last season, it was Kentucky who shocked everyone when they stole one on the road against a top 20 Arkansas team after a rough up-and-down season up to that point. Now, the two will face off again as Kentucky will look to get the win in Rupp and make sure Calipari doesn’t get two in a row in the building. It’ll be another highly-anticipated showdown.
Kentucky hits the road at Texas
This is shaping up to be a major challenge for Kentucky next season and may even end up being one of the biggest games of the season. Texas is seen by many as a clear top 10 team, with some even having them within the top five and when you combine that with the fact that the game is on the road, the Wildcats will have their hands full. The Wildcats fell to the longhorns in the 2024-25 season, and it’ll be a much stiffer challenge this time.
Which game could be a trap?
We don’t have the game-by-game dates yet, so it’s hard to say with a lot of confidence, but opponent-wise, Georgia could really give Kentucky fits. In Pope’s first year, his team struggled handling the physicality of the Bulldogs and now, they’ve retained one of their best guards for another year and have added physicality through the portal. Mike White’s teams love to make opponents uncomfortable and they could do that once again down in Athens. Another sneaky team to watch is Oklahoma, who will have very good guard play. Kentucky will face both teams on the road.
Overall, it’s a pretty fair SEC schedule for a Kentucky team who has the capability of a return to being atop the conference once again. Mark Pope has such a system-fit squad and he can do some damage in the SEC.
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Kentucky
Can you set off fireworks in Kentucky? See laws ahead of Fourth of July
Fourth of July festivities to celebrate in Louisville
See the Fourth of July festivities planned in Louisville for America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Fourth of July is almost here, and Kentuckians are getting ready to light up the sky.
Before you plan your fireworks celebrations, it’s important to know what is and isn’t allowed under Kentucky law. Here’s what to know about fireworks laws and safety tips in the Bluegrass State ahead of Independence Day.
Can you set off fireworks in Kentucky?
Yes. As long as you live in a place where local ordinances don’t prohibit it, according to the Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s website.
Are fireworks legal in Louisville?
In Louisville or Jefferson County, larger display fireworks are not legal due to a local law. Some consumer products that don’t leave the ground, such as sparklers, are allowed.
If the cautionary label on the firework has the words “explosive,” “emits flaming pellets,” “flaming balls,” “firecracker,” “report” or “rocket,” it is automatically a no-go, according to the Louisville-Jefferson County Code of Ordinances.
But, smaller ones like sparklers, cylindrical or cone fountains, wheels and ground spinners are legal. Still, don’t let the size fool you − they can burn up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Learn more: Check out these 4th of July events taking place across Kentucky
How to use fireworks safely
The state fire marshal suggests following the following advice when using fireworks:
- Use fireworks outdoors.
- Obey local laws.
- Keep a bucket of water or a working water hose nearby.
- Use fireworks as intended and avoid altering them or combining them.
- Never relight “dud” fireworks. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
- Spectators should keep a safe distance from the person lighting the firework (the individual lighting it should wear safety glasses).
- Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated adult operator.”
- Do not use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives.
- Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Former Courier Journal reporter Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez contributed. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
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