The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers take on the Delaware Blue Hens in Newark, Delaware. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
Delaware is favored by -2.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -150. The total is set at 62 points.
Here’s my Western Kentucky vs. Delaware prediction and college football picks for Friday, October 3, 2025.
Western Kentucky vs Delaware Prediction
- Western Kentucky vs. Delaware Pick: Delaware -2.5
My Delaware vs. Western Kentucky best bet is on the Blue Hens to cover. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Western Kentucky vs Delaware Odds
| W. Kentucky Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -105 | 62 -110o / -110u | +125 |
| Delaware Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -115 | 62 -110o / -110u | -150 |
- Western Kentucky vs Delaware point spread: Delaware -2.5
- Western Kentucky vs Delaware over/under: 62 points
- Western Kentucky vs Delaware moneyline: Western Kentucky +125, Delaware -150
Western Kentucky vs Delaware Preview
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Preview: Lethargic Offense
Expectations for Rick Bowie and Maverick McIvor with Western Kentucky were sky-high.
Though not the preseason Conference USA favorite, Western Kentucky has plenty of optimists forecasting a run at the conference title. Those title aspirations are still in force, and Western Kentucky is still among the favorites to win the league.
Compared to recent years — especially Bailey Zappe's record-setting one under Zach Kittley — this offense is lethargic. Following a 41-24 win over FBS bottom-feeder Sam Houston State in Week 0, Western Kentucky hasn't broken 35 points against an FBS foe.
McIvor hasn't been the problem. He has 11 touchdown passes to just two interceptions and over 1,400 yards on 190 attempts – all numbers near the lead in the FBS.
The absence of a run game is what's hurt this offense, despite its Air Raid tendencies. Previous dynamic Western Kentucky offenses made headlines through the air, but the Toppers always carried an efficient run game to help keep defenses honest.
The offensive line hasn't gotten any semblance of a push in the ground game. That allows defenses to send aggressive edge rushes and sit back over the top to slow things down in the scoring department.
But Western Kentucky sits 4-1, and that's in part due to a great defensive start. Aside from Toledo, the Toppers' defense hasn't allowed 25 points in a game.
If you're going to break the defense, that comes on the ground. Despite playing a cast of opposing quarterbacks that features Tucker Gleason and Jacob Clark, Western Kentucky hasn't allowed a 210-yard passer on the season.
There's a notable tackling issue early in the season, but a lockdown secondary and an aggressive pass rush have more than made up for it.
Watch for Harper Holloman, who's quickly become one of the most productive edge rushers in the country with 20 pressures and 10 run stops already.
Delaware Fightin Blue Hens Betting Preview: Conference's Top Team So Far
To summarize Delaware's inaugural FBS season in a short phrase: better than you think.
Ryan Carty's offense has translated beautifully early in the season. Though quarterback Zach Marker has been absent for most of it due to injury, Nick Minicucci took the reins and has led Delaware to a fringe top-40 scoring offense.
Running back Jo'Nathan Silver averages over seven yards per carry and ranks second in C-USA in 10+ yard rushes (12).
That option-based offense is unique — last year, it effectively incorporated three quarterbacks — and forces its new FBS foes to game plan more heavily than they do in other weeks.
That adjustment hasn't come easy yet, as quality teams like UConn surrendered 40 to the Blue Hens. Last game, Delaware upended FIU, a decent C-USA defense, with 38 points.
Defensively, Delaware has some work to do. UConn moved the ball at will to a tune of 7.3 yards per play, and FIU out-gained the Blue Hens. When outmatched, Delaware surrendered 31 points to Colorado with a circus at quarterback.
Down a top defender in the secondary (corner A'Khoury Lyde), the Blue Hens have struggled to defend the pass. It's benefited from opposing quarterbacks making mistakes, but when those signal callers don't make mistakes, the entire defense falls apart.
However, an experienced front six has been solid against the run, ranking inside the top 40 in Rushing Success Rate.
Unfortunately, Delaware isn't eligible for the C-USA title this year. The Blue Hens look to be one of the best teams in the conference, and that team gets a crack at one of the top dogs over the last half-decade on Friday.
Western Kentucky vs Delaware Pick, Betting Analysis
Numbers are everything here. The line will likely flirt with -3 all week long as it hasn't moved through it as of Tuesday.
Western Kentucky backers would be wise to snag the number if and when it touches +3, whereas Delaware bettors should jump on -2.5 and not settle for -3.
Delaware has one of the biggest rest advantages you'll see this season. Western Kentucky plays its second of a back-to-back road game against a new FBS opponent and, therefore, a new prep.
The Hilltoppers struggled with Missouri State last week in Springfield and now have a short week to prepare for the Carty offense. This is Western Kentucky's third road trip in four games.
Delaware, of course, plays at home and comes off a bye week.
Teams like James Madison and Jacksonville State have recalibrated the way we react to new FBS programs that overachieve early. However, the market and numbers are still slow to react.
Gauging several industry ratings, Delaware lags behind. It ranks 100th in FPI and 104th in Sagarin ratings. Aggregated power ratings say back the Toppers.
Instead of betting the aggregate ratings, I'm looking to take advantage of backing a team I believe is much better and more difficult to prep for in Year 1 than it's given credit for.
Despite two strong data points (vs. UConn, FIU), Delaware appears to be misunderstood.
On the other hand, I haven't been overly impressed with Western Kentucky. The offense hasn't seemed to gel just yet (ranks just 65th in points per drive), and turnovers have been an issue.
Defensively, Western Kentucky is a poor tackling team. Perhaps this is the week it all clicks, but those back-to-back new team preps make me a skeptic.
The Blue Hens are excellent at home. Over the last three seasons, they are 18-3 straight up at home (make it 43-18 over the last 10!).
Pick: Delaware -2.5
