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One team will move into a tie for second place in the Conference USA standings when the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and UAB Blazers square off in a key conference game on Friday at Houchens-Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, Ky. The Hilltoppers (4-3, 2-1 in C-USA) and Blazers (4-2, 2-1) enter the game one game behind conference co-leaders UTSA (5-2, 3-0) and North Texas (4-3, 3-0), who square off on Saturday. That means the winner between Western and UAB will join the loser of the UTSA and North Texas game in second place in the standings. 

Kickoff is 8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. The Hilltoppers are 1.5-point favorites in the latest Western Kentucky vs. UAB odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 58.5. Before making any UAB vs. Western Kentucky picks, you need to see the college football predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past six-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on UAB vs. WKU and just locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college football odds and trends for WKU vs. UAB: 

  • Western Kentucky vs. UAB spread: Hilltoppers -1.5
  • Western Kentucky vs. UAB over/under: 58.5 points
  • Western Kentucky vs. UAB money line: Hilltoppers -125, Blazers -105
  • WKU: QB Austin Reed is fifth in the FBS in total offense (352.4 yards per game).
  • UAB: RB DeWayne McBride leads the country in rushing yards per game (155.6).
  • Western Kentucky vs. UAB picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why Western Kentucky can cover

Western Kentucky has one of the most prolific offenses in the FBS. Behind quarterback Austin Reed, who ranks second in the country in points responsible for (156), the Hilltoppers lead the conference and rank 18th in the nation in scoring offense (40.0 points per game). They have scored at least 27 points in every game this season. 

In addition, Western Kentucky has the defense to slow UAB's rushing attack. The Hilltoppers have the conference's best rush defense, allowing 120.4 rushing yards per game. Last week they allowed just 63 yards on 26 carries (2.4 yards per rush) to Middle Tennessee State.

Why UAB can cover

UAB has a physical running attack. Led by the nation's leading rusher, DeWayne McBride (155.6 rushing yards per game), the Blazers average 243.5 rushing yards per game, which ranks eighth in the country. The team has run for more than 230 yards in five of six games this season and has gained more than 500 yards of total offense in each of its last two games.

In addition, UAB faces a Western Kentucky team that has been penalized a lot this season. The Hilltoppers average 66.7 penalty yards a game this season, which ranks 10th in the 11-team C-USA and 104th in the nation. They also average 7.0 penalties per game, which is 91st in the FBS.

How to make UAB vs. Western Kentucky picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Under the total, projecting the teams to combine for 58 points. It also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.

So who wins WKU vs. UAB? And which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to back, all from the advanced model that is up almost $3,000 on its top-rated college football spread picks, and find out.