Tue Oct 14 23:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Hilltoppers Poised for Bowl Eligibility, FIU Looks to Upset the Odds

**Bowling Green, KY** – The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, under the steady hand of Head Coach Tyson Helton, are on the cusp of another bowl game appearance, a feat they could achieve with a victory over Florida International University (FIU) tonight. WKU is currently 5-1 and a 10-point favorite heading into the midweek matchup.

Since Helton’s arrival in 2019, WKU has become a model of consistency in the Group of 5 conferences, boasting three nine-win seasons and two eight-win campaigns. A win against FIU would mark their 11th bowl eligibility in the last 12 seasons.

Meanwhile, FIU has struggled to find similar success. The Panthers haven’t seen a bowl game since 2019 and possess a 19-47 record in the intervening years. The Panthers’ schedule, featuring games against Kennesaw State, Sam Houston State, Missouri State, and Middle Tennessee, provides a potential path to bowl eligibility, but likely requires an upset victory against WKU, Liberty, or Jacksonville State.

Despite being the underdog, FIU has a potential avenue to keep the game competitive. While WKU’s high-powered passing attack, led by quarterback Maverick McIvor, is their offensive calling card, FIU boasts a strong secondary that could pose problems. After a disappointing performance against UConn, where they were missing two key defensive backs, Brian Blades II and Shamir Sterlin, the Panthers are expected to have both players back in the lineup.

Furthermore, FIU’s running game could exploit a weakness in the Hilltoppers’ defense. WKU ranks near the bottom of FBS in stopping the run, offering the Panthers an opportunity to control the clock and put pressure on the home team.

Sports bettor Michael Leboff suggests taking FIU +10, citing their potential to leverage their running game and exploit WKU’s defensive shortcomings. While the odds are stacked against them, the Panthers have the tools to make this a closer game than expected in Bowling Green.

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