Basketball ↗
Power RankingsThis WeekTeamsDepth ChartsPlayersPlaysRecruitingBettingAwardsPast SeasonsPortalSOON
CUSA · 2026

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Head coach Tyson Helton · Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium
3-42-1 in conference
TDC Rank
#111
of 138 FBS teams
Rating
-12.1
pts vs avg FBS team
Offense
-6.7
111th in FBS
Defense
-5.4
105th in FBS
Schedule so far
-5.4
80th toughest
Projected
5.4-6.6
bowl-eligible 48%

Season Outlook

From the TDC Rating, updated after every game

Rating by week

-12.1 now, -8.7 preseason · down 18 spots since preseason
-20-15-10-50FBS avgPreWk 1Wk 2Wk 3Wk 4Wk 5Wk 6Wk 7Wk 8#111

Final record odds

5.4-6.6 expected · most likely 5-7 (32%)
3-917%4-832%5-731%6-614%7-58-4

Team Leaders

National leaderboards →

Passing
Rodney Tisdale Jr.
QB · 117th in FBS
862yds
4 TD · 2 INT
Rushing
Ajay Allen
RB · SR · 135th in FBS
332yds
82 car · 4 TD
Receiving
Jonathan Stafford Jr.
WR · FR · 92nd in FBS
375yds
41 rec · 1 TD
Tackles
Jaylen Lewis
DB · SR · 23rd in FBS
58tkl
2 TFL
Sacks
Westen Ard
LB · FR · 149th in FBS
2.5sacks
1 hurries
Interceptions
Tony Newsome Jr.
DB · SR · 28th in FBS
2INT
5 PD

Schedule

Game score = the rating that one result implies, after adjusting for opponent and venue

WkDateOpponentResult / TDC lineGame scoreWin chanceTV
1Sep 5@106NevadaL 14–49 ›-34.8—CBSSN
2Sep 12@5GeorgiaL 20–70 ›-5.3—SEC Network
3Sep 19@4IndianaL 0–38 ›+0.8—Peacock
4Sep 26vsMercyhurst FCSW 52–7 ›-9.5—ESPN+
5Oct 1@117New Mexico StateCONFL 13–34 ›-31.5—CBSSN
6Oct 8vs121Missouri StateCONFW 34–13 ›+1.2—CBSSN
7Oct 14@125Sam HoustonCONFW 16–3 ›-0.1—ESPN
8—Bye
9Oct 27vs109DelawareCONFWestern Kentucky −2.9 · o/u 57.0—58%CBSSN
10Nov 7@130Middle TennesseeCONFWestern Kentucky −3.3 · o/u 52.1—59%
11Nov 14vs97Jacksonville StateCONFWestern Kentucky −0.5 · o/u 55.0—51%
12Nov 21@73LibertyCONFLiberty −14.8 · o/u 49.5—16%
13Nov 28vs110Kennesaw StateCONFWestern Kentucky −3.2 · o/u 46.0—58%

Team Stats

Hover an advanced stat for what it means. Box-score totals include FCS games and aren't opponent-adjusted

StatOffenseFBS rankDefense (allowed)FBS rank
EPA · per play, garbage time excluded (CollegeFootballData.com)
EPA / play+0.013117th+0.11886th
Success rate36.5%130th39.8%53rd
Explosiveness1.24765th1.437132nd
Play-by-play advanced · garbage time excluded (computed from every play)
Success rate36.4%130th39.8%50th
Rushing success rate38.3%115th43.9%85th
Passing success rate34.7%127th36.1%24th
Explosive run rate8.0%131st15.5%111th
Explosive pass rate8.4%104th9.9%68th
Line yards / carry2.62129th3.21100th
Opportunity rate36.7%103rd41.3%112th
Stuff rate21.3%120th16.8%81st
Sack rate5.2%75th4.1%109th
3rd-down conversion43.0%57th32.4%14th
Red-zone TD rate50.0%110th68.8%107th
Havoc rate15.2%115th13.3%78th
Box score · season totals
Points / game21.3114th30.6116th
Yards / game353.6101st375.091st
Yards / play4.75123rd5.91112th
Pass yards / game217.682nd190.942nd
Yards / pass att.6.10126th6.5544th
Completion %59.2%104th55.9%18th
Rush yards / game136.0101st184.1115th
Yards / carry3.70114th5.58134th
3rd-down conv. %40.3%74th31.5%20th
Turnovers / game (lost · forced)1.2975th0.86105th
Sacks / game (allowed · made)2.1489th1.29116th
Penalty yards / game41.614th42.6122nd

Charting

Where the ball goes, read from the play-by-play: air yards, yards after the catch, run direction, pressure and tempo. Ranks run highest to lowest

Avg. depth of throw
7.4
113th of 138
YAC per catch
4.9
98th of 138
Deep shots (20+)
11%
115th of 138
Shotgun
94%
78th of 138
No-huddle
83%
39th of 138
QB pressured
15%
39th of 138 (1st = most)
Defense: pressure rate
11%
114th of 138
Defense: YAC allowed
6.6
9th of 138 (1st = most)

Offense: where it throws238 throws charted

59% comp7.4 avg. depth4.9 YAC/catch11% 20+ air yds9–4 TD–INT
101020203030LOSLeft, Behind air yards: 17 throws (7%), 12 caught (71%), 64 yds, 3.8 per throw1771% · 64yLeft, 0–4 air yards: 16 throws (7%), 9 caught (56%), 49 yds, 3.1 per throw1656% · 49yLeft, 5–9 air yards: 21 throws (9%), 15 caught (71%), 155 yds, 7.4 per throw2171% · 155yLeft, 10–14 air yards: 5 throws (2%), 3 caught (60%), 39 yds, 7.8 per throw560% · 39yLeft, 15–19 air yards: 6 throws (3%), 3 caught (50%), 82 yds, 13.7 per throw650% · 82yLeft, 20–29 air yards: 6 throws (3%), 3 caught (50%), 96 yds, 16.0 per throw650% · 96yLeft, 30+ air yards: 4 throws (2%), 1 caught (25%), 72 yds, 18.0 per throw425% · 72yMiddle, Behind air yards: 7 throws (3%), 6 caught (86%), 5 yds, 0.7 per throw786% · 5yMiddle, 0–4 air yards: 13 throws (5%), 4 caught (31%), 18 yds, 1.4 per throw1331% · 18yMiddle, 5–9 air yards: 9 throws (4%), 4 caught (44%), 34 yds, 3.8 per throw944% · 34yMiddle, 10–14 air yards: 7 throws (3%), 4 caught (57%), 110 yds, 15.7 per throw757% · 110yMiddle, 15–19 air yards: 6 throws (3%), 4 caught (67%), 127 yds, 21.2 per throw667% · 127yMiddle, 20–29 air yards: 1 throws (0%), 1 caught (100%), 26 yds, 26.0 per throw1100% · 26yMiddle, 30+ air yards: 2 throws (1%), 0 caught (0%), 0 yds, 0.0 per throw20% · 0yRight, Behind air yards: 23 throws (10%), 19 caught (83%), 73 yds, 3.2 per throw2383% · 73yRight, 0–4 air yards: 31 throws (13%), 23 caught (74%), 158 yds, 5.1 per throw3174% · 158yRight, 5–9 air yards: 31 throws (13%), 20 caught (65%), 195 yds, 6.3 per throw3165% · 195yRight, 10–14 air yards: 16 throws (7%), 6 caught (38%), 86 yds, 5.4 per throw1638% · 86yRight, 15–19 air yards: 7 throws (3%), 3 caught (43%), 52 yds, 7.4 per throw743% · 52yRight, 20–29 air yards: 8 throws (3%), 2 caught (25%), 23 yds, 2.9 per throw825% · 23yRight, 30+ air yards: 2 throws (1%), 0 caught (0%), 0 yds, 0.0 per throw20% · 0y
fewer more throws
Direction and air yards come from the play-by-play (left / middle / right thirds of the field), so each glow sits in its zone rather than on an exact spot. Hover a zone for detail.

Defense: where it's thrown on195 throws charted

55% comp9.0 avg. depth6.6 YAC/catch18% 20+ air yds11–4 TD–INT
101020203030LOSLeft, Behind air yards: 14 throws (7%), 12 caught (86%), 52 yds, 3.7 per throw1486% · 52yLeft, 0–4 air yards: 14 throws (7%), 11 caught (79%), 93 yds, 6.6 per throw1479% · 93yLeft, 5–9 air yards: 15 throws (8%), 12 caught (80%), 156 yds, 10.4 per throw1580% · 156yLeft, 10–14 air yards: 6 throws (3%), 3 caught (50%), 54 yds, 9.0 per throw650% · 54yLeft, 15–19 air yards: 2 throws (1%), 0 caught (0%), 0 yds, 0.0 per throw20% · 0yLeft, 20–29 air yards: 7 throws (4%), 0 caught (0%), 0 yds, 0.0 per throw70% · 0yLeft, 30+ air yards: 6 throws (3%), 1 caught (17%), 37 yds, 6.2 per throw617% · 37yMiddle, Behind air yards: 5 throws (3%), 5 caught (100%), 53 yds, 10.6 per throw5100% · 53yMiddle, 0–4 air yards: 7 throws (4%), 2 caught (29%), 8 yds, 1.1 per throw729% · 8yMiddle, 5–9 air yards: 11 throws (6%), 4 caught (36%), 60 yds, 5.5 per throw1136% · 60yMiddle, 10–14 air yards: 8 throws (4%), 3 caught (38%), 44 yds, 5.5 per throw838% · 44yMiddle, 15–19 air yards: 4 throws (2%), 2 caught (50%), 36 yds, 9.0 per throw450% · 36yMiddle, 20–29 air yards: noneMiddle, 30+ air yards: 5 throws (3%), 2 caught (40%), 122 yds, 24.4 per throw540% · 122yRight, Behind air yards: 23 throws (12%), 20 caught (87%), 110 yds, 4.8 per throw2387% · 110yRight, 0–4 air yards: 23 throws (12%), 15 caught (65%), 79 yds, 3.4 per throw2365% · 79yRight, 5–9 air yards: 14 throws (7%), 6 caught (43%), 70 yds, 5.0 per throw1443% · 70yRight, 10–14 air yards: 12 throws (6%), 6 caught (50%), 83 yds, 6.9 per throw1250% · 83yRight, 15–19 air yards: 5 throws (3%), 2 caught (40%), 42 yds, 8.4 per throw540% · 42yRight, 20–29 air yards: 10 throws (5%), 2 caught (20%), 105 yds, 10.5 per throw1020% · 105yRight, 30+ air yards: 4 throws (2%), 1 caught (25%), 36 yds, 9.0 per throw425% · 36y
fewer more throws
Direction and air yards come from the play-by-play (left / middle / right thirds of the field), so each glow sits in its zone rather than on an exact spot. Hover a zone for detail.

Offense: run direction233 carries

Left
18%
4.2 YPC · 50% succ.
Middle
60%
4.8 YPC · 46% succ.
Right
22%
3.8 YPC · 40% succ.
Share of carries by direction, as the play-by-play calls it. Success: 5+ yards on 1st/2nd down, 3+ on 3rd/4th, or a touchdown. QB scrambles excluded.

Defense: runs faced211 carries

Left
31%
5.2 YPC · 45% succ.
Middle
45%
5.5 YPC · 48% succ.
Right
25%
9.0 YPC · 52% succ.
Share of carries by direction, as the play-by-play calls it. Success: 5+ yards on 1st/2nd down, 3+ on 3rd/4th, or a touchdown. QB scrambles excluded.

Pressure = the QB was hurried or sacked, as the play-by-play records it (it misses some, so compare teams rather than reading it as an exact rate). Every snap counts, including garbage time and FCS games.

Roster

100 players · Head coach Tyson Helton

100 players
#PlayerPos▲ClassHtWtHometown
10Caleb McMickleQBJR6' 2"194Roswell, GA
11Brock GlennQBJR6' 2"225Covington, TN
15Cam O'HaraQBFR6' 2"210Florence, KY
3Ajay AllenRBSR5' 11"200Monroe, LA
9Kalib HicksRBJR5' 11"220Denton, TX
22Le'Kamren MeadowsRBFR6' 0"215Moody, AL
23Sincere BainesRBSR5' 9"195Fayetteville, NC
25Jaden McGillRBSR6' 0"210Chicago, IL
29Adrion BoydRBJR5' 7"185Fontana, CA
2K.D. HutchinsonWRSR5' 8"185Valley, AL
4Cameron FlowersWRSO5' 11"190Warner Robins, GA
7Qua'Vez HumphreysWRSR6' 3"225Junction City, KS
8Moussa BarryWRSR6' 2"195Norcross, GA
12Quincy BurroughsWRSR6' 1"210Jacksonville, FL
13Jyziah RockwellWRSR6' 2"200Gilmer, TX
17Zion TaylorWRJR6' 0"210Norcross, GA
18Devin HamiltonWRFR6' 4"210Dacula, GA
21Nigel JohnsonWRSR6' 5"200Sumter, SC
24Fonzy SmithWRFR6' 1"185Fayetteville, NC
80Jonathan Stafford Jr.WRFR5' 9"185Auburn, GA
82Tre'Von McgoryWRFR5' 11"175Memphis, TN
84Jeremiah CarrollWRSR6' 0"180Atlanta, GA
14CC EzirimTESR6' 7"250Dublin, OH
19Lofton HowardTEJR6' 4"235Bowling Green, KY
44Griffin ReimerTESO6' 3"245Matthews, NC
81Arlando Crafton Jr.TEFR6' 4"240Atlanta, GA
87Coleson ArendsTEJR6' 4"245Phoenix, AZ
88Aiden MillerTEJR6' 3"235Glasgow, KY
89Cross NimmoTEFR6' 5"250Mentor, OH
50Alec JohnsonOLSR6' 1"295Columbia, SC
52Isiah StoudemireOLFR6' 3"312Dayton, OH
55Roq MontgomeryOLJR6' 3"365Anniston, AL
56Tyrell ScottOLFR6' 3"295Cincinnati, OH
59Alex LopezOLFR6' 7"310Cleveland, MS
64Jackson DiallsOLFR6' 4"310Lexington, KY
67Tai RayOLJR6' 7"330Apopka, FL
69Jordan CurllOLFR6' 4"280Franklin, TN
70Rhett LarsonOLSR6' 4"315College Station, TX
72Zach ClaytonOLJR6' 5"320Senoia, GA
73Nonso OmeziOLSR6' 5"340Houston, TX
75Brody RiffeOLJR6' 8"315Ocoee, FL
76Max ThurstonOLSO6' 5"300Monroe, GA
77Jamier SmithOLFR6' 3"298Riverdale, GA
78Tyreek MajorOLSO6' 5"325Tampa, FL
79Asa HolbertOLFR6' 6"290Centre, AL
15Jayden GrayDLSR6' 2"276Fort Worth, TX
13Latrevion ThompsonDESR6' 3"248Kennett, MO
16Darius HamptonDESR6' 3"238Del City, OK
17Zsacari MinnisDESO6' 3"238Eustis, FL
41Brandon ThomasDEFR6' 4"224Miami, FL
45Josaiah KnightDESO6' 3"238Tallahassee, FL
50Elin JonesDESR6' 4"248Dacula, GA
55Venson SneedDESR6' 4"268Wabasso, FL
57Isaac TanisDEFR6' 2"228Hollywood, FL
59Sharlandiin StrangeDEFR6' 4"244Philadelphia, PA
90Bryce FuldaDEFR6' 4"244Bradenton, FL
94Henry SmithDEFR6' 3"254Moody, AL
98Nathan GonzalesDESR6' 4"248Bell Gardens, CA
0Mackavelli MalotumauDTSR6' 1"295Oceanside, CA
33Zeiqui LawtonDTSR6' 2"290Charleston, WV
52Jakeem FletcherDTSR6' 2"315Tanner, AL
53Elijah PeakeDTFR6' 1"325Wetumpka, AL
54Sekou PetersDTFR6' 2"300Atlanta, GA
56Kiawan MurphyDTSR6' 2"320East Hartford, CT
91Ceejay EmbryDTFR6' 1"280Pahokee, FL
92Javin GriffinDTSR6' 2"320Saint Martinville, LA
93Rylen Su'a-FiloDTSR6' 1"320Orem, UT
99Eric EtienneDTSO6' 1"305Miami, FL
15Garrison MaddenLBSR6' 3"235Hampton, GA
18Geajorm AkpalooLBJR6' 1"230Warrenton, VA
20Zach SmithLBSO6' 0"224Red Oak, TX
22Jordan DonaldLBSO6' 2"224Perry, GA
29Joshua MensahLBSR6' 1"218Riverdale, GA
32Westen ArdLBFR6' 1"235Warner Robins, GA
34Makhi BrazierLBFR6' 1"225Loganville, GA
35Elijah RumphLBFR6' 0"220Eden Prairie, MN
44Kai MicatrottoLBFR5' 11"238Las Vegas, NV
2Tony Newsome Jr.DBSR5' 11"185Apopka, FL
5Dave HerardDBSR6' 0"204Fort Lauderdale, FL
6Justin BrownDBJR6' 0"195Murfreesboro, TN
7Jaylen LewisDBSR5' 11"187Brownsville, TN
10Xavion GriffinDBSO6' 0"190Vero Beach, FL
11Canyon MosesDBJR5' 10"198Midland, TX
12BJ CareyDBSR6' 0"200Downey, CA
14Braxton MyersDBJR6' 1"203Coppell, TX
19Jacob Cosby-MosleyDBSO5' 11"200West Palm Beach, FL
23PJ SouffrantDBFR5' 10"180West Palm Beach, FL
26Leonzay MerziusDBFR5' 10"175Pompano Beach, FL
27Jordan BergeronDBFR6' 1"185Naples, FL
30Taron EssexDBFR6' 3"210Decatur, GA
31Walter ManningDBSO5' 11"185Pembroke Pines, FL
38Alan GbeeDBJR6' 0"195Leesburg, VA
39Jaylen PollardDBFR5' 11"208Brentwood, TN
33Michael SmithPKSO5' 6"172Tallahassee, FL
43Jackson SmithPKSR5' 10"215Danville, KY
58Michael BuckPKSO5' 10"177Mooresville, NC
99Karl CampbellPKFR6' 5"225Magherafelt, Northern Ireland
40Carson PerusseLSJR5' 11"213Wellington, FL
44Bailey SandersLSSO5' 11"223Mooresville, NC
49Nolan ImhoffLSJR5' 11"233Frederic, WI

Program History

Final TDC rating, rank and record for every season since 2014

Final rating by season

Best: 2016 (+10.8, #15) · worst: 2018 (-11.0, #111)
-100+10FBS avg201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025#78
SeasonRecordConfRankRatingOffDef
2026 so far3-42-1#111-12.1-6.7-5.4
20259-46-2#78-2.2-0.6-1.5
20248-66-2#82-2.6-3.0+0.4
20238-55-3#66-0.6+2.6-3.2
20229-56-2#47+3.7+3.6+0.1
20219-57-1#21+7.6+11.1-3.4
20205-74-3#101-6.7-8.2+1.5
20199-46-2#68-1.0-3.9+3.0
20183-92-6#111-11.0-7.9-3.1
20176-74-4#105-7.5-3.1-4.4
201611-37-1#15+10.8+8.7+2.1
201512-28-0#20+9.7+11.0-1.3
20148-54-4#58+1.2+10.9-9.7

Western Kentucky's past seasons use the same rating model as this one. Click a season to see its full page.

Updated Oct 21, 10:45 AM ET. Ratings are in points on a neutral field. Projected lines include — points of home field. Win chances and record odds allow for the ratings themselves being uncertain, most of all early in the season. All FBS power rankings →