Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defeat Missouri State Bears 34-13: Recap, Betting Results & AiQ Picks
Thu, Oct 8, 2026 · NCAAF · Missouri State Bears 13, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 34
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers beat the Missouri State Bears 34-13 on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers covered the spread as 1.5-point underdogs. The game went under the closing total of 56.5, with 47 points combined. AiQ's moneyline pick in this game lost, and its player props went 3-4.
Missouri State Bears vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers final score and game recap
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers led 7-3 after the first quarter. They won the second quarter 14-3 to lead 21-6 at halftime. They outscored the Missouri State Bears 13-7 in the second half. They led at the end of every quarter.
The leading performers, from the box score:
- Isaiah Myers (Missouri State Bears): 3 catches for 77 yards, 1 receiving touchdown.
- Henry Belin IV (Missouri State Bears): 8/14 passing for 115 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions.
- Ajay Allen (Western Kentucky Hilltoppers): 13 carries for 105 yards, 2 rushing touchdowns.
- Brock Glenn (Western Kentucky Hilltoppers): 20/35 passing for 231 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions.
Who covered the spread in Missouri State Bears vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers?
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers covered the spread as 1.5-point underdogs and won outright, by 21 points.
The spread opened at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -2.5 and closed at Missouri State Bears -1.5.
Did Missouri State Bears vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers go over or under the total?
The game went under: 47 points combined against a closing total of 56.5, under by 9.5. 27 of the 47 points came in the first half.
The total opened and closed at 56.5.
How did AiQ's Missouri State Bears vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers predictions do?
AiQ's moneyline pick in this game lost, and its player props went 3-4.
- Moneyline: the Missouri State Bears to win at -122, a loss (-$100 on a $100 bet).
- Player props: 3-4, -$151.45 on $100 a pick at the listed prices.
Missouri State Bears vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers player prop results
AiQ's player prop picks went 3-4 in this game, -$151.45 on $100 a pick at the listed prices.
- Ajay Allen (Western Kentucky Hilltoppers): under 57.5 rushing yards at -112, finished with 105, a loss.
- Mekhi Miller (Missouri State Bears): under 2.5 receptions at -148, finished with 5, a loss.
- Isaiah Myers (Missouri State Bears): over 4.5 receptions at -164, finished with 3, a loss.
- Jeron Askren (Missouri State Bears): to score a touchdown at +340, a loss.
- Isaiah Myers (Missouri State Bears): to score a touchdown at +100, a win.
- Jonathan Stafford Jr. (Western Kentucky Hilltoppers): over 5.5 receptions at -142, finished with 6, a win.
- Skyler Locklear (Missouri State Bears): under 1.5 passing touchdowns at -128, finished with 0, a win.
Missouri State Bears vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers game prop results: team totals, first quarter and first half
AiQ does not pick game props. This is how the sportsbook markets settled.
- Western Kentucky Hilltoppers team total 27.5: the over, paying -115, with 34 scored.
- First-quarter total 12.5: the under, paying -105, with 10 points scored.
- Missouri State Bears team total 28.5: the under, paying -113, with 13 scored.
- First-half total 27.5: the under, paying -102, with 27 points scored.
- First-half moneyline: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers won the first half, paying +105.
- First-half spread: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers +0.5 covered, paying -108.
- First-quarter moneyline: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers won the first quarter, paying +100.
Missouri State Bears vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers odds: sportsbook value and line movement
Shortly before the start, the consensus moneyline had the Missouri State Bears at -125 and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at +102. With the bookmaker's margin removed, that made the Missouri State Bears a 53% favorite. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers won as the underdog at +102: $102 profit on a $100 bet. On AiQ's moneyline pick, the Missouri State Bears, the best price before the game was -118 at BetRivers: priced below fair (−2.7% value).
The spread moved toward the Missouri State Bears between the open and the close, and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers covered.
Missouri State Bears and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers betting trends: 2026 season
This result left the Missouri State Bears 1-4 in the 2026 regular season (1-1 at home, 0-3 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 1 of 4 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 2 times and under 2 times. That made it three straight losses for the Missouri State Bears.
This result left the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 2-4 in the 2026 regular season (2-0 at home, 0-4 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 2 of 5 games with a closing line on file. Their games went over the closing total 2 times and under 3 times.
What's next for Missouri State Bears and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers?
Next for the Missouri State Bears: the Kennesaw State Owls at home on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Next for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers: at the Sam Houston Bearkats on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.