Western Kentucky begins its 2017 season at 6 p.m. Saturday when it hosts Eastern Kentucky at Houchens-Smith Stadium. That’s the first of 12 regular-season contests on the docket for the Hilltoppers.

Here are glances at each of WKU’s regular-season games, with thoughts and predictions from Daily News WKU beat reporter Brad Stephens.

Game 1, Saturday

Eastern Kentucky, Houchens-Smith Stadium, 6 p.m., Flofootball.com

Opening with EKU is a chance for current Hilltoppers to get a taste of a rivalry that’s been played 85 times, but not since 2008. It would be cool to see the old foes meet more often, but that’s unlikely with the schools now playing in different subdivisions of Division I football. As for this year’s matchup, WKU’s talent should overwhelm the Colonels. WKU 45, Eastern Kentucky 10

Game 2, Sept 9

At Illinois, Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m., Big Ten Network

One of the five goals of coach Mike Sanford’s “Pursuit” is to take down a Power Five opponent. WKU’s first chance at that in 2017 comes against an Illinois team that hasn’t recorded a winning record since 2011 and is in the second year of a rebuild under Lovie Smith. The Fighting Illini may rake in Big Ten Conference money, but their talent is at a Group of Five level. WKU 27, Illinois 20

Game 3, Sept. 16

Louisiana Tech, Houchens-Smith Stadium, 6 p.m., Stadium

Despite playing in opposite divisions of Conference USA, WKU and Louisiana Tech will meet for the fifth time in four years. The series is tied 2-2 since the Hilltoppers joined C-USA. It’s become a showcase of two of the league’s best football programs. WKU is more experienced at QB with Mike White than Louisiana Tech is with J’Mar Smith, and that should tilt things toward the Tops. WKU 38, Louisiana Tech 30

Game 4, Sept. 23

Ball State, Houchens-Smith Stadium, 6 p.m., Stadium

WKU went 2-0 the last two seasons in a home-and-home series with Mid-American Conference school Miami (Ohio). The Hilltoppers start a new home-and-home arrangement this year with another MAC program in Ball State. You’ll recognize the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator: former WKU coach David Elson. WKU 45, Ball State 23

Game 5, Oct. 7

At UTEP, Sun Bowl, 7 p.m. CDT, Broadcast TBA

This will be a unique experience for WKU to play in the Sun Bowl, one of college football’s most scenic venues. The El Paso, Texas, stadium is tucked into the Franklin Mountains and home to beautiful sunsets before night games. The matchup on the field won’t be much to see, though. WKU’s won two straight C-USA titles, while UTEP has posted just one winning record since 2006. WKU 42, UTEP 20

Game 6, Oct. 14

Charlotte, Houchens-Smith Stadium, 3:30 p.m., Flofootball.com

Charlotte joined C-USA and began play in its East Division in 2015. Due to a scheduling quirk, WKU and Charlotte didn’t meet either of the last two years and this will be their first matchup. The 49ers, who didn’t play their first football game until 2013, are looking for their first bowl appearance this season. Knocking off established C-USA power WKU will be a tall task. WKU 52, Charlotte 17

Game 7, Oct. 20

At Old Dominion, S.B. Ballard Stadium, 5 p.m. CDT, CBS Sports Network

WKU and Old Dominion’s 2016 meeting was memorable for two reasons. The Hilltoppers hung nearly 60 points on a good Monarchs team in a 59-24 pasting. The squads also got into a third-quarter, sideline-clearing fistfight. Officials will try to prevent a repeat of the fisticuffs, while ODU will try to stop WKU from again racking up 624 yards and 9.2 yards per play. WKU 30, Old Dominion 20

Game 8, Oct. 28

Florida Atlantic, Houchens-Smith Stadium, 3:30 p.m., Stadium

If you’re a fan of the Netflix series Last Chance U, you’ll see some familiar names on the Florida Atlantic roster. Former EMCC’ers Tim Bonner, John Franklin III and De’Andre Johnson are on the Owls’ roster, while Clint Trickett is an assistant. Coach Lane Kiffin has upgraded the talent for an underachieving FAU program, but how that talent all mixes will be a story to follow. WKU 38, Florida Atlantic 26

Game 9, Nov. 4

At Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt Stadium, Time TBA, Broadcast TBA

WKU and Vanderbilt couldn’t have been more evenly matched through their 2015 and 2016 meetings. The last two matchups both came down to two-point attempts, with the Hilltoppers stopping Vandy to win two years ago and the Commodores returning the favor last season. Vanderbilt has the best defense WKU will face, and that could slow White and the Topper attack. Vanderbilt 21, WKU 14

Game 10, Nov. 11

At Marshall, Joan C. Edwards Stadium, 5:30 p.m., BeIN Sports

WKU enjoyed putting the final touches on Marshall’s train wreck of a 2016 season. Kylen Towner ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown in November and the Toppers kept pouring it on until they led 41-0 at halftime. The Thundering Herd is out to prove last year’s 3-9 season was a one-year blip rather than the harbinger of a program in decline. WKU 35, Marshall 22

Game 11, Nov. 17

Middle Tennessee, Houchens-Smith Stadium, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network

Middle Tennessee will be one of the few opponents this season that can match WKU when it comes to talent behind center. Brent Stockstill, son of Blue Raiders coach Rick Stockstill, is an effective runner and productive passer. He’ll throw to C-USA’s top returning wideout in Richie James. This Friday night matchup could decide the East Division champion. WKU 31, Middle Tennessee 20

Game 12, Nov. 24

At FIU, Riccardo Silva Stadium, 6 p.m. CST, BeIN Sports

FIU moved on from the ineffective Ron Turner tenure and hired Butch Davis, whose name carries weight in Miami. He built the Hurricanes’ loaded rosters of the late-1990s and early-2000s and is now tasked with breathing life into the Panthers’ football program across town. Davis may upgrade FIU’s talent in future years, but WKU shouldn’t have any trouble with the Panthers this season. WKU 45, FIU 10