WKU vs Tennessee-Martin College Football Picks, Odds, Predictions 9/2/2021

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers meet the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks Thursday in week 1 2021 college football action from Houchens Industries-LT Smith Stadium. The Skyhawks are coming off seven spring games, finishing 3-4 and in fifth place in the Ohio Valley Conference standings. As for Western Kentucky, they played a full slate last fall, going 5-7 overall and 4-3 in Conference USA play. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Tennessee-Martin managed to get seven games in between February 28 and April 11 this year. The Skyhawks posted victories over Eastern Illinois, Austin Peay and Tennessee Tech. The losses came versus Murray State, Jacksonville State, Tennessee State and Southeast Missouri State. 

The 3-4 overall record left the Skyhawks on the bottom end of the conference standings. This season, 16th-year head coach Jason Simpson will look to take a step forward. He’s joined again by OC Kevin Bannon (sixth year) and DC Chris Polizzi (second year). 

Over on the Western Kentucky side, they had a pretty wild season last fall. The Hilltoppers stumbled out of the gate initially with a 2-6 mark, but then won three straight over Southern Miss, FIU and Charlotte at the end of the regular schedule. 

The 5-7 overall finish was good enough for an invite to the LendingTree Bowl versus Georgia State on December 26. Unfortunately for the Hilltoppers that game didn’t turn out well, as it ended up a 39-21 defeat and a sour end to the campaign. 

The Skyhawks are 2-6 ATS in their last eight in September and 2-6 ATS in their last eight on turf. UT Martin is 0-5 ATS in their last five overall and 0-4 ATS in the last four road games. 

Meanwhile, WKU is 5-11 ATS in their last 16 in September and 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 overall. The Hilltoppers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six non-conference games and 1-6 ATS in their last seven home games.

PICK: I’m going to take the Skyhawks in this one, but probably staying away. UT-Martin ranks near the middle of the pack in the OVC by most measurements, but they’re a talented team that’s bringing back nine starters on both offense and defense. As for the Hilltoppers, they really need to step it up on offense. WKU averaged just 290 yards and 19 points per game last year and put up 24 points or fewer in each of their first nine games last season. I like the Hilltoppers to take a big step forward in that regard this year, but I think UT-Martin can bang out a cover in the opener. Should be a fun matchup.