Last updated: November 1, 2026
The 100 Miles of Hate is back on November 7, 2026, when Middle Tennessee hosts Western Kentucky with the Hilltoppers chasing an eighth straight win in the series. The two schools sit about 100 miles apart on U.S. Route 231, and after 75 meetings since 1914, WKU leads just 39-35-1.
Quick summary
- Western Kentucky leads the all-time series 39-35-1 through 2025 and has won seven straight (2019-2025).
- The first meeting was October 10, 1914: Middle Tennessee 47, WKU 0 in Murfreesboro.
- Fans named the rivalry when it resumed in 2007 after a 16-year break.
- Middle Tennessee is 4-4 heading into the 2026 game, set for 3:30 p.m. ET on November 7.
Where the 100 Miles of Hate Name Comes From
The name is unofficial and comes from the drive. According to the rivalry history, fans started using “100 Miles of Hate” when the series resumed in 2007 after going dark from 1991. The schools shared the Ohio Valley Conference and later the Sun Belt. The series paused again when Middle Tennessee left the Sun Belt for Conference USA in 2013, then returned in 2014 when WKU followed.
There is no trophy. The prize is a year of bragging rights along Route 231.
Series at a Glance
- All-time record: WKU leads 39-35-1 (75 games, through 2025)
- First meeting: October 10, 1914, MTSU 47, WKU 0 in Murfreesboro
- Last meeting: November 15, 2025, WKU 42, MTSU 26 in Bowling Green
- Current streak: WKU, 7 (2019-2025)
- Largest margin: WKU 54, MTSU 0 (1978)
- Trophy: none
Recent Results
- 2016: WKU 44, MTSU 43 (Murfreesboro)
- 2017: WKU 41, MTSU 38 (Bowling Green)
- 2018: MTSU 29, WKU 10 (Murfreesboro)
- 2019: WKU 31, MTSU 26 (Bowling Green)
- 2020: WKU 20, MTSU 17 (Murfreesboro)
- 2021: WKU 48, MTSU 21 (Bowling Green)
- 2022: WKU 35, MTSU 17 (Murfreesboro)
- 2023: WKU 31, MTSU 10 (Bowling Green)
- 2024: WKU 49, MTSU 21 (Murfreesboro)
- 2025: WKU 42, MTSU 26 (Bowling Green)
Games That Define the Rivalry
1914: a lopsided start
Middle Tennessee won the first meeting 47-0 in Murfreesboro, a reminder that this series has swung hard in both directions over more than a century.
2016 and 2017: one score apart
WKU won 44-43 in Murfreesboro and 41-38 in Bowling Green, two of the closest games in the modern series.
2018: Middle Tennessee’s last win
MTSU’s 29-10 win in Murfreesboro is still its most recent victory in the series. WKU has won every meeting since, though the 2019 and 2020 games were decided by five and three points.
The 2026 Game
Middle Tennessee is 4-4 entering the matchup, according to its 2026 schedule, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET on November 7. With the series alternating sites and the 2025 game in Bowling Green, the Blue Raiders get the home crowd this year as they try to end the streak.
🗳️ Vote: Make your prediction for Middle Tennessee vs. Western Kentucky on RallyFuel (Nov. 7)
What to watch
- Can MTSU end a seven-game skid in the 100 Miles of Hate at home?
- WKU has scored 31 or more points in five of its last six series wins.
- Close games are the norm: four of the last ten meetings were decided by five points or fewer.
Why the 100 Miles of Hate Still Matters
National audiences rarely see this game, but for both fan bases it is the date that defines the season. The series record shows why: after 75 games, only four wins separate the programs, and Middle Tennessee held the series lead before WKU’s current run began in 2019. A win for the Blue Raiders would cut the gap to three and reset the conversation for another year. A WKU win would push its streak to eight and its series lead to five games.
Beyond Football
The rivalry runs through basketball, baseball and soccer too, which keeps it alive all year on both campuses. Follow both schools on RallyFuel: the Middle Tennessee page and the Western Kentucky page. For another Group of Five rivalry with real heat, read our App State vs. Georgia Southern story, and see how fan bases compare on our college fanbase NIL leaderboards.
FAQ
What is the 100 Miles of Hate?
It is the fan name for the Middle Tennessee vs. Western Kentucky rivalry, after the roughly 100-mile drive between Murfreesboro and Bowling Green on U.S. Route 231.
Who leads the MTSU vs. WKU series?
Western Kentucky leads 39-35-1 through the 2025 season and has won seven straight.
When is the 2026 game?
November 7, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. ET.
When did Middle Tennessee last beat WKU?
In 2018, 29-10 in Murfreesboro.
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