WKU Football: One Big Thing Before The Hilltoppers Kickoff Against FIU
The Hilltoppers close out their year against FIU, a team they haven’t seen since a 73-0 win last season. Can history repeat itself? (Spoiler alert: No.)
Blink and you miss it. Every year, the anticipation of the college football season coming gets me amped up and every year, it comes and goes in the blink of an eye.
Despite the disappointment that was the 2023 Western Kentucky football season, it still went by in the blink of an eye, and there are only two more chances to catch the Tops on the gridiron this year.
Before we worry about bowl destination and opponent, there’s the final regular season game of the campaign, and the first meeting between WKU and Florida International since that 73-0 shellacking last year at LT Smith Stadium.
That said, neither team is the same as they were a year ago. Despite having only won one of their last seven games (and needing two overtime’s to do it), FIU is nowhere near as downtrodden as they were last year, while the Hilltoppers offense isn’t close to as dynamic as it was in 2022.
WKU and FIU always play weird games - whether it’s 73-0 or 10-9, there’s something magical about when these two teams get together, and I mean that in the most unappealing way possible. WKU has played in their share of rock fights this year, but something tells me this will be the rockiest and fightiest of them.
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. CT on ESPN+. Before toe meets leather, let’s get to everyone’s One Big Thing they’ll be looking for this afternoon.
Fletch - Pad Corley’s Draft Tape
Malachi Corley posted something of a cryptic tweet earlier this week, saying how thankful he was to show out in his last home game after his second-best statistical day of the season (10 catches, 171 yards, TD).
The cynic would think “oh, no, he’s leaving WKU for the portal.” Call me a fool, but I’m not that cynical.
What’s more likely is Corley is preparing to enter the NFL draft and be the first Hilltoppers wide receiver to be drafted since Taywan Taylor in 2017.
It’s been a disappointing year for Corley in terms of the eye test, and not all of it entirely his fault (looking at you…whoever is in charge of play calling) but these next two (three, if you include last week) games are a chance to not only pad Corley’s stats to cement his legacy as a Hilltoppers, but get his tape as good as possible for the draft.
Use him in space at the line of scrimmage and let him show us why he’s the YAC King. Send him deep and let him show off his down-field speed and separation skills. Let him catch balls in the red zone to show he’s a threat to score close, and get him the ball in the flat from the WKU 15 and let him show he’s a threat to score from not so close, too.
I look forward to hearing Corley’s name get called in April, and I especially look forward to remember the plays they show on the broadcast. If one or two of them come on Saturday, that’s just bonus points.
Matt McCay - Buck Up
Last week, WKU’s football team “bucked up” and found a way to win despite offensive turnover issues. WKU’s defense forced three turnovers to help the team barely survive. After five personal turnovers, Austin Reed responded and produced just enough to get the Tops over the hump.
Ultimately/ for FIU, it’s just time for WKU to buck up and get it done. It’s time to be men, accept the challenge, accept your fate (that there’s no conference championship on the line), and realize that there’s still plenty to play for. Get it done, boys.
Alex Sherfield - Don’t Let Up
It seems like just a year ago, WKU was on the better end of a 73-0 defeat of Florida International. The score won’t be that far this year, but a better effort than last week is all I want for Saturday’s matchup.
Kris Mitchell is a name that will be called a lot for the Panthers as he leads CUSA in total receiving yards. Donovan Manuel & D’Verik Daniel will be the defensive playmakers who’ll be on the prowl to slow down the Tops’ offense.
As a whole, Austin Reed is definitely capable of a bounce-back game as the Florida native will try to help close out the season to get win number seven for a bowl-eligible squad.