Despite both FIU and Western Kentucky already being bowl-eligible, the Panthers and Hilltoppers are trying to get that seventh win to make a bowl berth more secure.

Friday night is a critical game for both teams' bowl aspirations. You just have to go back to 2011 when FIU got to a bowl and WKU did not. This despite both FIU and WKU being bowl-eligible and the Hilltoppers beating the Panthers and having a better conference record.

Conference USA has six guaranteed bowl tie-ins and two additional at-large spots (if other conferences can't fill the spots) and right now C-USA has eight bowl-eligible teams so that tells you how important Friday's game might be.

WKU is the defending C-USA champion after an 11-3 season a year ago. The Hilltoppers are currently 6-5 and 4-3 in C-USA. WKU has arguably the best quarterback in the conference and has had FIU's number of late winning four consecutive games against the Panthers. Before that FIU (6-4, 4-3 C-USA) won four straight against WKU.

For more on the Hilltoppers, here is Chad Bishop to answer 5 Questions on WKU. Chad has covered WKU for seven years both in print and now TV at WBKO in Bowling Green, Ky. You can follow Chad for all WKU things on Twitter: @MrChadBishop.

  

1. WKU had a four-game winning streak and a three-game losing streak this season. What have been the differences this season for the Hilltoppers from last year's C-USA champion WKU team?

CB: There have been quite a bit. Those aforementioned streaks have been a direct result of inconsistency in all facets of the WKU game. One or two plays of good football or one or two possessions of good football or one or two quarters of good football more often than not is stymied by a three-and-out or turnover or scoreless quarter of football.

The Hilltoppers have also turned out to be a the nation's worst rushing football team – literally. They have the fewest yards rushing of all 130 FBS teams and fewest yards per carry after 11 games.

2. QB Mike White is having another strong season despite the lack of a running game. What has been the Hilltoppers issue with the run game? I imagine the O-line has not been good allowing a league-leading 37 sacks. What's up with the WKU O-line?

CB: Western Kentucky's offensive line, to be brutally honest, has just not been good. Those behind Forrest Lamp (a second-round pick at left tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers), right tackle Darrell Williams (San Francisco 49ers) and center Max Halpin have not lived up to their predecessors. The adjustment to Mike Sanford's power style of running has also been a major problem. Offensive line coach Geoff Dartt underwent brain surgery earlier this season to remove a pair of tumors and that undoubtedly has been a factor as well.

3. Like FIU, WKU's defense has not tallied too many sacks. Has getting pressure on the QB been a problem for the Hilltoppers defense? What does WKU do best on defense?

CB: It has been, but not necessarily to their detriment. I think defensive coordinator Clayton White has done a superb job with a 4-2-5 system that uses a nickel back to confuse quarterbacks and spread offenses. The problem has been lack of depth due to injuries has worn that unit down in the second half of games in the second half of the season. The Hilltoppers are a very good tackling team this year as well and are perhaps one of the better pass coverage units I've seen WKU have.

4. What does WKU do well on special teams and what special teams unit has not been up to par for the Hilltoppers this season?

CB: Oddly enough, WKU went from having one of the best special teams units in all of college football to one that never really found its footing in 2017. Cam Echols-Luper and Kylen Towner are too incredibly dangerous return men on kickoffs and Nacarius Fant is an outstanding punt returner – but none of those young men have busted one. Kicker Ryan Nuss has been solid but nothing spectacular. Western's coverage units have also been solid to this point.

5. Your thoughts on Friday's WKU/FIU game?

CB: Part of me believes that because of Western's inconsistencies all year long, this game is ripe for a FIU win despite the Tops' momentum of beating Middle Tennessee in triple overtime a week ago. But I think statistically, and athletically, WKU has the better team at this point in time. I got the Hilltoppers 35-31.