QUARTERBACK: Western Kentucky’s Mike White (284.5 passing yards per game, 14 touchdowns) and Middle Tennessee’s Brent Stockstill (331.4 ypg, 15 TDs) both put up big numbers in pass-based offenses. White (9.1 yards per attempt, 163.96 QB rating) has been more efficient than Stockstill (7.5 ypa, 143.11 rating). ADVANTAGE: WKU

RUNNING BACK: WKU’s Anthony “Ace” Wales averages 84.8 yards per game and 6.0 carries. He hasn’t been a big-play pass-catching threat (19.4 receiving yards per game). MTSU’s I’Tavius Mathers averages 116.4 rushing ypg and 53.4 receiving ypg. MTSU.

RECEIVERS: The Hilltoppers’ Taywan Taylor (112.2 yards per game, 16.0 yards per catch, four TDs) and Nicholas Norris (93.3 ypg, 15.6 ypc, eight TDs) are one of the nation’s most explosive wide receiver duos. Richie James (41 catches) has almost double the number of receptions as the Blue Raiders’ next-leading receiver (Ty Lee, 22 catches). WKU

OFFENSIVE LINE: Left tackle Forrest Lamp came back last week for WKU, putting the Topper offensive line at full strength. Darrell Williams, Jr., moved back to right tackle with Lamp’s return. MTSU right tackle Maurquice Shakir was an All-Conference USA Preseason selection. WKU

DEFENSIVE LINE: Hilltopper defensive end Nick Dawson-Brents has missed two straight games and is questionable for this week. 330-pound Blue Raiders defensive tackle Shaquille Huff is the biggest player on either roster. MTSU

LINEBACKERS: WKU linebacker T.J. McCollum missed the team’s last two contests but practiced this week and is likely to play Saturday. He was the Toppers’ leading tackler last year. Darius Harris leads MTSU with 42 tackles this season. WKU

SECONDARY: WKU will be without cornerback Joe Brown for the first half, as he serves a one-game suspension for a targeting penalty from last week’s game against Louisiana Tech. Martavius Mims will start in his place. Blue Raiders corners Mike Minter and Jeremy Cutrer have combined to break up 11 passes this season. MTSU

SPECIAL TEAMS: Against Louisiana Tech, receiver Kylen Towner returned a punt that Shaquille Johnson blocked for a touchdown and netted three kickoff returns for a combined 167 yards, including an 87-yarder. MTSU kicker Canon Rooker is 7-of-9 kicking field goals this season. WKU

Brad’s prediction

Western Kentucky’s pass defense was torched last week by Louisiana Tech in a 55-52 defeat. Now the Hilltoppers are facing a pass-heavy Middle Tennessee squad that can exploit some of those same weaknesses in the Hilltopper secondary.

Look for the Blue Raiders to have some success through the air and get enough stops to notch a big rivalry win against WKU.

Middle Tennessee 34, Western Kentucky 28

Season record: 4-2

WKU (3-3 overall, 1-1 Conference USA) at Middle Tennessee (4-1, 2-0)

1:30 p.m. Saturday

Floyd Stadium

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Television: ESPN3

Radio: WPTQ-105.3 FM, WWKU-1450 AM

Position by position breakdown