2026 MATRIXWEEK 9138 FBS TEAMS56 GAMESCOLLEGE FOOTBALL DECODEDMODEL + MARKET + CONTEXT
GameDay Matrix
WK
Conference USA · Hilltoppers · 3-4

Western Kentucky

Ratings fitted through Week 8. Results through October 25.

Preseason roster reference: Tyson Helton's repeatable offensive reload and a favorable league slate offset limited returning starters, keeping WKU among the title contenders.

MPR #94Projected Wins #81Conference USA MPR #2Ratings through Week 8 · Outlook October 25
Matrix Power Rating-7.2National #94
Projected Wins6.03National #81
Schedule Strength#98National SOS rank
Projected Offense30.9Remaining-schedule average
Projected Defense26.6Remaining-schedule average
Point Differential+4.3Projected per game
Week 8 Model Update

Model Response

Moved Up

The Week 8 review is complete. This panel shows the rating change and its football context.

Week-over-Week MPR-7.24 → -7.16+0.08 MPR
Rank#96 → #94+2 spots
Projected Wins6.08 → 6.03Week 9 refresh
SEASON STRENGTH UPDATE

Week 8 bye. The joint season fit moves power +0.1 points; unit inputs are retained.

External Headlines

Latest Western Kentucky news.

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Outcome Range

Season Distribution

Completed results through October 25 are fixed. Remaining-game probabilities use the ratings fitted through Week 8.

Current Season OutlookResults through October 25
3
4
5
6
7
8
The gold bar is the current mode (6 wins). Each remaining game is treated independently; shared rating uncertainty is not included. Bars below 0.05% are omitted.
Season Market Reference · 2026-08-08
Current Forecast / Preseason Quote

The August 8 quote is retained for comparison. This gap is not a current betting recommendation and does not define team strength.

Preseason Posted Total7.5
Preseason Effective Market7.24
Current Win-Total Gap-1.20
Quote StatusReference only
Game by Game

2026 Schedule Matrix

Upcoming games use season-strength ratings after Week 8. Completed results retain their original pregame Matrix forecast.

DateOpponentWin %Score / ResultMarginTotalConfidenceType
SEP 5NevadaAway · NonconferenceFINALGame Status14–49Final · Pregame Matrix 28–24+4.4Margin51.9TotalFINALFBSOpponent
SEP 12GeorgiaAway · NonconferenceFINALGame Status20–70Final · Pregame Matrix 9–45-50.0Final Margin54.9TotalFINALFBSOpponent
SEP 19IndianaAway · NonconferenceFINALGame Status0–38Final · Pregame Matrix 9–46-36.4Margin54.9TotalFINALFBSOpponent
SEP 26MercyhurstHome · Nonconference — FCSFINALGame Status52–7Final · Pregame Matrix 36–19+16.6Margin55.3TotalFINALFCS/Other ProxyOpponent
OCT 1New Mexico StateAway · Conference USAFINALGame Status13–34Final · Pregame Matrix 30–25+5.2Margin54.4TotalFINALFBSOpponent
OCT 8Missouri StateHome · Conference USAFINALGame Status34–13Final · Pregame Matrix 33–22+11.6Margin55.3TotalFINALFBSOpponent
OCT 14Sam HoustonAway · Conference USAFINALGame Status16–3Final · Pregame Matrix 36–21+14.4Margin56.8TotalFINALFBSOpponent
OCT 27DelawareHome · Conference USA71%Win %34–25Current projection+8.2Margin59.1TotalMediumFBSOpponent
NOV 7Middle TennesseeAway · Conference USA79%Win %34–22Current projection+12.3Margin56.3TotalLowFBSOpponent
NOV 14Jacksonville StateHome · Conference USA56%Win %30–28Current projection+2.3Margin58.3TotalLowFBSOpponent
NOV 21LibertyAway · Conference USA29%Win %25–33Current projection-8.2Margin58.6TotalMediumFBSOpponent
NOV 28Kennesaw StateHome · Conference USA68%Win %31–24Current projection+6.9Margin55.2TotalLowFBSOpponent
Upcoming games use current ratings. Completed games preserve their original forecast and final result.
← All Teams

Week 8 closeout is complete. Season-win market comparisons retain the August 8 quote vintage; they are reference comparisons. Season-win distributions condition on played results and use independent remaining-game probabilities.

Active net power -7.16 = OFF 24.80 − DEF 33.10 + ST 0.55 + legacy residual 0.00 + season adjustment 0.59. Sigma 3.34.