The short week is the real story on both sides. Both clubs played Saturday, so neither gets a full week to prepare, heal or install anything new for the other. Thursday games between struggling teams tend to come down to who handles the basics, like tackling, penalties and not giving the ball away, better than the other team. Whichever coaching staff gets its players' legs back faster probably wins this.
Keep an eye on the conditions at kickoff. The early forecast for Las Cruces is 75 and clear with no rain, but wind is projected around 14 mph. That isn't enough to shut down a passing game, but it can push a deep ball and make any kick from 40-plus yards riskier. In a game that could be decided by 1 possession, a missed field goal matters a lot.
Neither team is in the Top 25 and neither is going to be, so the stakes are simple. One of these teams gets a win that can turn a bad September into a respectable October. WKU needs to show the Nevada game wasn't who they are. New Mexico State needs to hold serve at home after a rivalry week that took everything out of them one way or another. It isn't glamorous, but it's a fair fight on a night when most of the country isn't paying attention.