Tops still have goals to reach against Jax State

A spot in the Conference USA championship game is out of reach for Western Kentucky. Middle Tennessee put that slim possibility to rest by dealing the Tops a 51-42 loss last week in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. WKU (3-6 overall, 2-3 CUSA), the preseason pick to win the league title in the coaches’ poll, won’t be hoisting the trophy this season. But with three games left to play in the regular season, the Tops still have plenty to play for starting with a Homecoming matchup against co-CUSA leader Jacksonville State at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at Houchens-Smith Stadium. There’s still the potential for a bowl bid, for one – WKU has earned a bowl bid in each of head coach Tyson Helton’s seven seasons leading the program, winning five. Avoiding a losing record by winning the last three to finish .500 is another source of motivation. “A lot of ups and downs, you know, bringing us together more so,” WKU graduate senior linebacker Jaylen Wester said.

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