WKU Football will look to record its sixth straight victory over MTSU Saturday, in the “100 Miles of Hate” game.
The Hilltoppers have claimed eight of the last nine victories in the rivalry, including two straight at Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, where they will play this weekend.
The matchup will kick off Conference USA play for WKU. The Hilltoppers will seek their third straight C-USA opening game victory, dating back to 2022.
“Really excited about starting conference play this week,” Head Coach Tyson Helton said. “Got a great opponent in Middle Tennessee to play a big rivalry game. Those games are always big games and I know our guys will be excited and so will they.”
WKU is coming off a big win against in-state rival EKU in which the Hilltoppers shut out the Colonels 31-0. This was a stark contrast from the first week of the season when the Alabama Crimson Tide defeated WKU 63-0.
Helton said week three should bring a more evenly matched contest between the Hilltoppers and Blue Raiders.
“Coach (Derek) Mason is doing a really good job down there,” Helton said. “I know they’ve only played two games, but you can see those guys playing hard. I think it’s two comparable football teams that will be playing this week and it should make for a really good game.”
MTSU has had a similar start to the season in which they defeated Tennessee Tech before being dismantled by No. 6 Ole Miss.
Both teams were expected to be key players in the conference coming into the season. The C-USA Media Preseason Poll picked WKU to finish second in the conference and MTSU to finish fourth.
After a tough first start at WKU redshirt junior TJ Finley put together a great stat line against EKU, throwing for over 350 yards in the contest.
Finley’s connection with senior Kisean Johnson has been apparent to start the season. Johnson went for over 130 all-purpose yards against EKU, and was the team’s leading receiver.
The duo will look to expose an MTSU defense that has allowed 671 passing yards over just two contests to start the season.
MTSU is operating under a brand new coaching staff this season led by former Tennessee Titans wide receiver Derrick Mason.
Mason employed former NFL and XFL coach Brian Stewart to head the defensive unit for the 2024 season.
“They have a new defensive coordinator, so some things are going to be different, but it’s still definitely one of the games you look forward to every season, and you want to win it big,” Redshirt junior offensive lineman Marshall Jackson said. “It’s one of your most looked forward to games every season, it’s a huge deal around here.”
The Hilltoppers will head to Murfreesboro, Tennessee as seven-point favorites, according to ESPN.
WKU and MTSU will face off at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
Sports reporter Camden Bush can be reached at [email protected]
